THE OPEN BLUE TRUST Accounts- 31 December 2023
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
Charity number: 1196800
Accounts – 31 December 2023
INDEX
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1-4. Report of the Trustees and General Information 5. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Balance Sheet
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8-12. Notes to the Accounts
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and complies with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.
Governance
The Open Blue Trust was established as a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 26 November 2021 under registered charity number 1196800. It was established to receive by transfer the operations and assets of its immediate predecessor, The Open Blue Trust (registered charity number 1097725). This was achieved on 1 April 2022.
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is The Open Blue Trust.
Charity Registration Number: 1196800 Registered Address: 9 Valley View Calne Wiltshire SN11 0SB
Trustees
The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
R Mrode T Mills D Sandberg R Ackroyd D Halls - Chair
Objects and Activities
The main objects of the charity are:
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a) The advancement of education on Christian principles in any educational establishment
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b) Relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress, or who are aged or sick
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c) The advancement of the Christian faith
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d) To provide recreational and leisure facilities in the interests of social welfare.
In planning the activities of the charity, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The charity seeks to serve isolated communities in Wiltshire by providing a double decked bus for the purpose of providing educational, recreational and leisure facilities in line with its main objects.
Achievements and Performance
In 2023 Open Blue made 105 trips in the year visiting 5 communities regularly. These were youth drop ins at Upavon, Burbage and Calne, a baby and toddler group and an afterschool club at Thingley and a baby and toddler group, an afterschool club and a youth club at Wellington Place. We saw 1087 visits to the bus by 111 individuals and think we helped over 330 people.
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31 December 2023 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance (continued)
During the year 16 people regularly volunteered in community and in total 22 people gave 295 hours to Open Blue serving the communities we visited and keeping the bus on the road. We would like to thank all those who helped in any way with Open Blue. Lack of volunteers is still a concern but with Calne Town Council’s help we have seen an extra 6 join in and help us.
Funding from the respective Parish Councils have allowed the youth drop ins at Burbage and Upavon to continue. In both numbers are good seeing between 8 and 12 young people regularly. Both the Parish Councils are pleased with the numbers we are seeing coming to the bus and the individuals we are serving. Quite by chance someone from Devises was in Calne one Friday evening when the bus was and this has led to them and a friend volunteering regularly in Upavon. They have picked up delivering leaflets to the community and are coming up with good ideas for activities for the young people.
We are in the third year of a three-year Community Grant from Wiltshire Community Foundation which funds the visits to Thingley. The baby and toddler group we run has been slow, but we are now regularly seeing 5 toddlers. The after school proves popular with the children on the site and we regularly see between 20 and 25 children who really enjoy the cooking activities we do along with the art and craft.
We successfully applied to Wiltshire Council Area Board for funding for a Youth Club at Wellington Place. Despite our best efforts this never really took off. We did serve four young people for a short while, but we ceased the club when the funding ran out.
Rural Ministries agreed to fund a baby and Toddler Group and an After School Club at Wellington Place. We ran it during November and December. The After School club is going very well and we are seeing 6 to 9 children and 3 or 4 parents regularly. We are not seeing anyone at the baby and toddler group currently. We are considering running it at another time in the week.
Our visits to Calne continue and each week. Following an incident in April which necessitated calling the Police, it was decided at a multi-agency meeting to bring the bus earlier in the evening. Initially number dropped but we are now seeing 10 to 15 young people. We continue to partner with the Rise Trust on this work. We have a team of 6 helping in this community.
We are in our second and final year of funding for general costs from Garfield Weston which has proved very helpful.
We have received the second year’s funding from UK Youth for young people disadvantaged by lack of access to technology. The PS5, Xbox, new Wii controllers and games, iPads and internet are much appreciated by those we serve. They kindly funded the purchase of new A3 printer which has reduced day to day printing costs and allows us to print better publicity materials.
With the funding Open Blue has successfully gained we are in a good position financially and looking forward to serving more people in 2024.
The cost of living crisis continues to increase Open Blue’s costs. We were helped in 2023 by funds through Wiltshire Community Foundation, for them and from the NHS.
The communities we serve are also affected by the cost of living crisis and we continue to monitor those who come on the bus ready to signpost them to help when it is needed.
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 December 2023 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance (continued)
Please see below an infographic put together for funders, partners and supporters covering 2023.
Thank you to the following for the giving Open Blue funding this year:
Garfield Weston Foundation - £5,000 for general costs Wiltshire Community Foundation - £5,000 for Thingley Burbage Parish Council - £1,800 for Burbage Youth Drop in Upavon Parish Council - £3,900 for Upavon Youth Drop in
UK Youth and Osborne Clarke - £5,000 for young people at risk of digital exclusion Calne Town Council - £4,550 for Calne Youth Drop in Wiltshire Council Calne Local Area Board - £4,400 for Calne Youth Drop in Wiltshire Council Chippenham Area Board - £3,169 for Wellington Place Youth Club Wiltshire Council Corsham Area Board - £65.46 for Traveller History Month fund day Wiltshire Community Foundation and NHS Cost of Living Funds - £1,505 Rural Ministries - £1,033 for Wellington Place Baby and Toddlers and After School Club Fulmer Trust - £1,000 for general costs Dayspring - £24,487
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31 December 2023 ( Continued)
Financial Review
The total income for the year was £64,013 and total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £61,164.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves taking account of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be between 3 and 4 months of expenditure.
The trustees consider that this should be £12,000 in general funds. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirement of the charity and the trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding.
The present level of the reserves available to the charity are £17,041, which are above this level.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Open Blue Trust is a registered charity and was formed under a Deed of Trust dated 6 December 2002. It commenced its activities on 1 June 2003. On 1 April 2022 its operations and assets were transferred to the newly registered Charity Incorporated Organisation, The Open Blue Trust (registered charity number 1196800).
Appointment of Trustees
The charity ensures existing Trustees are kept informed of the activities and performance of the charity and are provided with regular management information. The day-to-day management of the charity is undertaken by D Sandberg, who is one of the Trustees.
The Trustees keep the composition of the Board under review and will seek to appoint additional members with appropriate skills and expertise should the need arise. Interested parties are given details of the background of the charity in order to make them aware of current activities.
Approved by the trustees on 15 April 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
T Mills ………………………………….. T Mills - Trustee
Chippenham, Wiltshire
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Open Blue Trust for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.
A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Chartered Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
23 April 2024
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(including an income and expenditure account)
for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 35,355 28,467 63,822 191 - 191 35,546 28,467 64,013 33,763 27,401 61,164 33,763 27,401 61,164 1,783 1,066 2,849 - - - 1,783 1,066 2,849 15,258 9,863 25,121 £17,041 £10,929 £27,970 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 53,890 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 53,901 | ||
| 55,554 | ||
| 55,554 | ||
| (1,653) - |
||
| (1,653) 26,774 |
||
| £25,121 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
BALANCE SHEET as at 31 December 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Total fixed assets Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year Provisions for liabilities Total net assets 13 The funds of the Charity Restricted income funds 13 Unrestricted income funds 13 Revaluation reserve Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2023 £ - - 29,290 29,290 1,320 27,970 27,970 - £27,970 10,929 17,041 - 17,041 £27,970 |
2022 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 26,411 | ||
| 26,411 1,290 |
||
| 25,121 | ||
| 25,121 - |
||
| £25,121 | ||
| 9,863 | ||
| 15,258 - |
||
| 15,258 | ||
| £25,121 |
These accounts were approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on: 15 April 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
T Mills ...................................................... T Mills - Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these financial statements
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
b) Public Benefit Entity
The Open Blue Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.
c) Going Concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
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The charity has entitlement to the funds;
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any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
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there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
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the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
e) Donated Services and Facilities
Donated services or facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with a donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the Charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
- f) Interest Receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
g) Fund Accounting
- Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.
h) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
i) Tangible Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on the straight line basis as follows:
Asset Annual Category Rate Motor Vehicles 25% straight line
j) Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
k) Creditors and Provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2. Legal Status of the Charity
The Open Blue Trust operates as a Charity Incorporated Organisation which was established by the Charity Commission on 26 November 2021.
3. Income from donations
| Gifts and donations | 2023 £ 63,822 £63,822 |
2022 £ 53,890 |
|---|---|---|
| £53,890 |
Of the £63,822 received in 2023 (2022: £53,890) £28,467 was restricted funds (2022: £14,569) and £35,355 (2022: £39,321) unrestricted funds.
4. Investment income
All of the Charity investment income arises from money held in a Lloyds bank account.
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Administration costs Activities Vehicle and fabric costs Permanent staff costs Staff expenses Community Governance costs Total |
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 Total £ £ £ 3,414 2,796 6,210 226 2,789 3,015 8,011 5,884 13,895 20,360 14,955 35,315 812 597 1,409 - - - 940 380 1,320 £33,763 £27,401 £61,164 |
2022 Total £ 6,548 1,902 9,506 35,394 914 - 1,290 £55,554 |
|---|---|---|
6. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| This is stated after charging: Independent examiner's fee Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses Salaries and wages Pension costs |
2023 £ 1,320 2023 £ 33,053 2,262 £35,315 |
2022 £ 1,290 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ 33,154 2,240 |
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| £35,394 |
7. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2022: Nil).
The above staff costs include salary paid to David Sandberg of £32,873 (2022 £33,154), one of the trustees, for his work in administering the day to day running of the charity.
No other charity trustees were paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2022: £Nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2022: £Nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2022: £Nil).
8. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 1 | 1 |
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
9. Corporation tax
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. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost: As at 1 January 2023 Additions Disposals As at 31 December 2023 Depreciation: As at 1 January 2023 Charge for year On disposals As at 31 December 2023 Net book value: As at 31 December 2023 As at 31 December 2022 |
Motor Vehicles £ 7,000 - - 7,000 7,000 - - 7,000 £- £- |
Total £ 7,000 - - |
|---|---|---|
| 7,000 | ||
| 7,000 - - |
||
| 7,000 | ||
| £- | ||
| £- |
11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals | 2023 £ 1,320 £1,320 |
2022 £ 1,290 |
|---|---|---|
| £1,290 |
- Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors of more than one year Total |
General Designated Restricted Fund Funds Funds Total £ £ £ £ - - - - 5,390 12,591 11,309 29,290 (940) - (380) (1,320) - - - - |
|---|---|
| £4,450 £12,591 £10,929 £27,970 |
THE OPEN BLUE TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31 December 2023 (continued)
13. Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
| Calne Youth Thingley Travellers Greensquare Community Events Hullavington Wellington Place - Fun Days Digital Exclusion - Youth Bus - Welding Repairs Bus - New Tyres Burbage & Upavon Youth Total Name of restricted fund |
Balance Incoming Resources Funds 31.12.2022 resources expended Transfers 31.12.2023 £ £ £ £ £ 1,336 8,500 (8,200) - 1,636 3,335 5,065 (5,065) - 3,335 - - - - - - - - - - - 4,202 (4,202) - 4,292 5,000 (4,834) - 4,458 - - - - - - - - - 900 5,700 (5,100) - 1,500 |
|---|---|
| £9,863 £28,467 £(27,401) £- £10,929 |
|
| Description, nature and purposes of the fund |
Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds
| General fund Bus maintenance fund Designated fund Total Name of unrestricted fund General fund |
Balance Incoming Resources Funds 31.12.2022 resources expended Transfers 31.12.2023 £ £ £ £ £ 2,770 35,443 (33,763) - 4,450 200 - - - 200 12,288 103 - - 12,391 |
|---|---|
| £15,258 £35,546 £(33,763) £- £17,041 |
|
| Description, nature and purposes of the fund The 'free reserves' after allowing for all designated funds. |