COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
Charity number: 1196757
COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Receipts and payments account | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 10 |
COLD BARN FARM
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
Charity number 1196757 Address Cold Barn Farm Community Centre Woodside Road Trevethin Pontypool NP4 8DT Trustees R Jackson (Chair) S Gould A Hayes T Trickey J Jackson Independent Examiner Gavin Watkins MWR Accountants David House Mill Road Pontnewynydd Pontypool NP4 6NG
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COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 1 April 2025.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and is governed by its constitution, dated 24 November 2021.
The governance of the charity is vested in the trustees who form the management committee, for which all decision making activities are carried out under a democratic process.
Trustee recruitment
Trustees can be selected from a variety of methods provided due regards is given to the provisions outlined in the constitution. Selections methods include advertising to the public, advertising through partner organisations and direct recruitment of interested parties.
The provision for trustee recruitment outlined in the constitution are as follows:
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Every charity trustee must be a natural person.
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No individual may be appointed as a charity trustee of the CIO if he or she is under the age of 16 years or if he or she would automatically cease to hold office under the provisions of clause 12(1)(e).
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No one is entitled to act a charity trustee whether on appointment or any re-appointment until he or she has expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the charity trustees decide, his or her acceptance of the office of charity trustee.
Number of charity trustees
There must be at least five charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustees may only act to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new trustee.
The maximum number of trustees is 10. The charity trustees may not appoint any charity trustee if as a result the number of trustees would exceed the maximum.
Appointment of trustees
Every trustee must be appointed for a term of five years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as a trustee, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Nominated trustees
Any appointment must be made at a meeting held according to the ordinary practice of the appointing body. Each appointment must be for a term of five years. The appointment will be effective from the later of the date of the vacancy and the date on which the trustees are informed of the appointment.
A trustee appointed by the appointing body has the same duty under clause 9(1) as the other charity trustees to act in the way he or she decides in good faith would be the most likely to further the purposes of the CIO.
Trustee induction and training
Policies are in place to inform and outline expectations for trustees. Trustee skill audits are carried out, and appropriate training arranged where needed.
A formal induction process for new trustees in currently in development.
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COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Our purpose is for the benefit of the Trevethin area in the County Borough of Torfaen and the surrounding vicinity (hereinafter called the ‘area of benefit’) by associating together with the said inhabitants, the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreational and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the condition of life for the said inhabitants.
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.
The third reporting period for the charity has focused on maintaining the long-term stability of the charity, building on the platform established over the previous years.
The central spine of activities has centred around the targets set out in the third sector major grant awarded to the charity by Torfaen Council.
There have been several large-scale community events held during this period including;
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Easter Fun Day
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Summer Fun Day & Dog Show
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Halloween Event
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Christmas event
These have all sought to bring the community together and create a fun, social engagement opportunity for the local community, which is particularly important following the long term effects of social isolation resulting from the Covid Pandemic.
The charity has maintained its links with Torfaen Play and Torfaen Youth Service, bringing both the Play and Youth service provisions into the community centre providing social activities for young people aged 5 to 25.
The Torfaen Youth Service provision has continued it’s additional projects; the allotment project for young people at risk of becoming NEETS, and the Social Inclusion Group aimed at young people who have become socially isolated following the Covid Pandemic – with the aim of improving confidence and social skills and encourage them to develop and participate in either education, employment or training opportunities.
The partnership with the Kings Church to provide monthly ‘Jesus Cares’ packages continues and has expanded from 60 to 80 packages a month.
These provide people within the community with small food parcels as a means of crisis intervention. There is now a clothes parcel package also provided by Kings Church.
Grants have been secured to provide further crisis intervention with a further expanded ‘food hamper provision’ to support families in the local community during the school holidays.
A warm hub provision has been established to support people during the winter months, offering a warm space to socialise with warm drinks and snacks.
The partnership with Building Resilient Communities continues, providing a Women's mental health class and a separate exercise class at the building
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COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
Other regular services offered include:
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Baby Club
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Craft Club
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DYT Dance Classes
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Winter Warm Hub
These have been established to provide activities for the local community.
Several trips have been organised to expand the opportunities available to the local community, many of whom are not upwardly mobile and rely on public transport, these have included;
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Day trip to Barry Island
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Day trip to West Midlands Safari Park
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Shopping trip to Birmingham
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Trip to Pantomime
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit
We can confirm that the Trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the charity commission in relation to public benefit.
Additional Information
Contribution made by volunteers
The Charity marches on the support of it’s volunteers.
There are no employed/ paid personnel involved with the charity, therefore all activities are run and supported by volunteers.
We have been successful in securing the support of several regular volunteers who have supported our regular activities and community engagement events.
Volunteers have also been supported to gain qualifications such as food hygiene, first aid and safeguarding.
Over the course of the year the number of regular volunteers has continued to increase as new opportunities arise
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
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.
Throughout the last year the charity has continued to go from strength to strength. The Board of Trustees has had some changes of personnel, but this has been to the benefit of the charity with new skills and perspectives assisting in broadening the impact and the facilities offered to the local community.
Regular provisions aimed at young people in the community in the form of Play and Youth Club provisions have proven to be very successful and all provisions are well attended.
Since the introduction of the provisions, there has been a marked improvement in behaviour in the local area, and engagement has steadily increased. There has been a notable change in the respect and value the young people place on the centre, with improvements observed in general behaviour and incidents of damage and vandalism reducing.
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COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
Community engagement events have continued to be a success, with events centred around Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas proving to be very successful.
These events provide an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy fun activities, this is particularly important for those people whom are particularly socio economically deprived, as accessing such activities can be difficult without financial means or access to affordable transport.
Feedback from the community has been very positive, and demand for such activities remains high. Our ability to raise funds helps us to subsidise these events and ensure they are open and accessible to as many people as possible.
Other groups have also continued to be popular, with the establishment of Dance, craft and wellbeing clubs providing opportunities for like-minded people to come together and enjoy social activities centred around activities and hobbies that are mutually enjoyed.
The Baby group established at the centre, has continued to be a great success with an average of 6- 8 baby's plus their grown-ups in attendance every week. The children are provided with healthy food and snacks to help boost support for a healthy start in life. The group has proven to be so popular we are seeking to run on an additional day, thus running 2 sessions per week.
The charity has also secured funding to make improvements to the centre it operates from renewing the flooring throughout the building creating a safer more welcoming atmosphere for the community.
Achievements against objectives set
The third sector major grant continues to dictate a number of targets and objectives for the charity. The targets have been met and in many cases exceeded expectation
Targets include:
Providing 4 community engagement activities
Providing 3 training events
2 Organisations providing services from Centre
Crisis Support
- Community Access to Hall and information
The charity has provided support or opportunities to 3,980 unique beneficiaries throughout the reporting period
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set
The Charity has had a successful year in respect of fundraising activities and now finds itself on a sound financial footing.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The charity is now in a strong financial position. The position has steadily improved throughout the year, and is now in a position to start the new financial year with sufficient reserves in place to ensure the charity has what it needs to support it’s activities into the future.
The charity continues to seek new funding streams in order to ensure that the charity will continue to flourish and long into the future.
The accounts have shown income of £110,543 and expenditure of £87,017 leaving a surplus of £23,526 at the end of this accounting period.
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COLD BARN FARM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
The committee has decreed to transfer an additional £5,000 of the surplus into reserves to support the charity should it encounter financial difficulty in the future, this is to take into account increases in general costs. This will be held in a savings account separate from the general business account, and additionally accrue interest.
The charity had a surplus for the year of £23,526 (2024: Surplus of £24,407).
RESERVES POLICY
The charity has resolved to hold reserves to sustain the charity and the hall for a period of approximately 6 months. The reason for this it to give notice to service users should the hall need to close and further to this to provide opportunity and time for new management to take over the charity/hall whilst offering minimum disruption to those who utilise the charity and hall’s services.
Amount of reserves held £20,451.36
Approved by order of the board of trustees on and signed on its behalf by
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF COLD BARN FARM
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 1 April 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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(2) of the Charities Act 2011(the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
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 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 you as 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 provide a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Gavin Watkins BSc (Hons) FCCA MWR Accountants
David House Mill Road Pontnewynydd Pontypool NP4 6NG
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COLD BARN FARM
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
| Unrestricted funds Note £ Income from: Donations and grants2 29,795 Receipts from charitable activities 21,300 Income from investments 417 _ Total 51,512 _ Expenditure on: Charitable activities3 38,610 Governance costs - _ Total 38,610 _ Net income/(expenditure) 12,902 Total funds brought forward 42,058 _ Total funds carried forward54,960 |
Restricted funds £ 59,031 - - _ 59,031 _ 48,407 - |
Restricted funds £ 59,031 - - _ 59,031 _ 48,407 - |
2025 Total £ 88,826 21,300 417 _ 110,543 _ 87,017 - _ 87,017 _ 23,526 42,058 _ 65,584 |
2024 Total £ 65,436 15,689 29 _ 81,154 _ 56,718 - _ 56,718 _ 24,436 17,622 _ 42,058 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| __ |
_ __ 48,407 |
__ |
|||
| __ |
_ __ 10,624 - |
__ |
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| __ |
_ __ 10,624 |
__ |
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COLD BARN FARM
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 1 APRIL 2025
| Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors:amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Net assets Funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
£ 65,584 _ 65,584 - _ |
2025 £ - 65,584 _ 65,584 _ 10,624 54,960 __ 65,584 |
2024 £ £ - 42,058 _ 42,058 - _ 42,058 _ 42,058 _ - 42,058 _ 42,058 |
2024 £ £ - 42,058 _ 42,058 - _ 42,058 _ 42,058 _ - 42,058 _ 42,058 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ |
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| _ 42,058 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on and signed on its behalf by:
______
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COLD BARN FARM
NOTES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis with a statement of assets and liabilities.
Nature of purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
2. Donations and grants
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Lotto Grant | - | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Torfaen CBC | 26,995 | 39,031 | 66,026 |
| Torfaen Community Council | 2,800 | - | 2,800 |
| __ | _ | __ | |
| 29,795 | 59,031 | 88,826 | |
| __ | _ | __ |
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COLD BARN FARM
NOTES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 1 APRIL 2025
3. Charitable Activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Project and event expenditure | 19,959 | 23,428 | 43,387 |
| Building costs | 9,188 | 21,011 | 30,199 |
| Utilities | 6,372 | 1,781 | 8,153 |
| Training | 957 | - | 957 |
| Equipment and uniform | 606 | 2,187 | 2,793 |
| Insurances | 763 |
- | 763 |
| Sundry expenses | 765 | - | 765 |
| __ | _ | __ | |
| 38,610 | 48,407 | 87,017 | |
| __ | _ | __ |
4. Trustee remuneration and related party transactions
No payments were made to trustees as reimbursement of expenses during the year (2024: nil).
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