2023-03-31-accounts

KNUTSFORD TOGETHER

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered 2 December 2021 Charity Registration Number 1196898 Report and Financial Statements for the period ending 31 March 2023

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Trustees

Chairman David Briggs CVO, MBE, KStJ Appointed 9 September 2021 Treasurer Rayna Jackson MA FCA Appointed 1 March 2023 Sarah Flannery B Soc Sc Appointed 9 September 2021 Dr Paddy Kearns Appointed 9 September 2021 Rosie Longden Appointed 9 September 2021 Piers McLeish Appointed 1 June 2022

Registered Address

Dukenfield Hall, Knutsford Road , Mobberley ,Knutsford , KNUTSFORD , Cheshire , WA16 7PT

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Knutsford Together

Report of the Trustees for the period ending 31 March 2023

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements for the period ending 31 March 2023.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, and the 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) issued in October 2019.

Our purposes and activities

Set up in 2022 by former Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Knutsford Together is a Cheshire-based Charitable Incorporated Organisation that identifies, maps and connects every agency, voluntary organisation and interest group in the WA16 postcode, covering Knutsford Mobberley High Legh Ollerton and surrounding areas.

Our mission is to support local people in need, whether economic or social. We seek to connect them with Government services such as medical, social care, education, welfare benefits, and Council funded services according to their circumstances. We also help to direct them towards suitable services provided by charities and voluntary groups. This will enable us to provide the infrastructure and practical framework to allow anyone in our area to overcome the disconnection between statutory support, community and voluntary services and activities, and find the support they didn’t even know existed. Our network of Coordinators and Connectors will be able to reach and connect everyone in need with everything our Knutsford community has to offer, and where necessary encourage new services to fill any gaps.

By harnessing the power of the community and humankindness we will create the opportunity for any individual in Knutsford – regardless of any formal training or qualifications – to help another human being in need: this will not only help the person in need but will also provide great satisfaction to the person offering to help and making the initial connection.

We aim to effect support for individuals which will reduce the negative social psychological and medical impact of people in need and experiencing “life’s difficulties”.

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Achievements and performance

During this, our first period of operation, we have applied for and received grants and donations which have enabled us to recruit an experienced Chief Officer, set up and run an appealing and comprehensive website and directory and commenced recruiting and training connectors. Examples of the connections we have made, and the feedback from it, include:

• An elderly client was Initially referred to Knutsford Together by her GP after losing her husband. The referral was for social isolation and needing help with paperwork and computer skills. The client is mobile but housebound and has no close family support. She was visited at home on five separate occasions, the first being an initial introductory meeting and subsequent meetings to help her with phone calls and paperwork relating to her recent bereavement. Although she could move around the house unaided, she walked with a limp and appeared to have some issues with both her legs. We spoke to the surgery following on from the visit and they scheduled a call to the patient. However on further visits there didn’t seem to be any improvement. Having gained her confidence she explained that a sore on her leg was worrying her and might be infected. With the client’s consent we arranged a District Nurse visit. Without our intervention we believe that her legs would have deteriorated to a point where she would have ended up in hospital.

• A lady that was referred into the service for social isolation asked for some face-toface befriending. While supporting this client, we introduced her to another lady who was also socially isolated. The circumstances of these clients were very similar. These are both ladies that have some mobility issues but are of sound mind. They hit if off immediately and have been in contact ever since. One lady drives and so she visits the other lady in her home. The last time they got together, they chatted for 3 hours, and both are very happy with the arrangement. This has improved the quality of life for both ladies, and they no longer feel so isolated.

• The feedback we've received from clients has been extremely positive. To quote some of their feedback:

• 'I'm so grateful for everything you've done. I wouldn't have got a claim on my late husband’s pension if it wasn't for your help and support'.

• 'I'm so grateful for you linking me in with Lizzie, we get on like a house on fire and I don't feel so lonely anymore'.

We have recruited and trained 86 connectors and held 10 training sessions.

Our Financing

We are acutely aware of the need for funding to support our activities and ambitions, and are extremely grateful for the grant funding that we have obtained during our first period of activity from Cheshire East Council, Great Places Housing Group, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire and Knutsford Medical Partnership. We would also like to express our thanks to the very generous private organisations and donors detailed in note 7 to the accounts and in particular Oliver Valves Ltd.

In shaping our objectives for the period and planning our activities, the trustees have read and had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

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Financial review Review of the period

Knutsford Together was formed as an entity in December 2021, but did not start operating until March 2022. The attached financial statements cover the period ending on 31 March 2023.

The results for the period and Knutsford Together’s financial position at the end of the period are shown in the attached financial statements

During the period we had income of £112,500, of which £25,000 was restricted, and expenditure of £58,748, of which £25,000 was restricted. There was a surplus of £53,752, all of which represents unrestricted reserves.

Reserves policy

We have a policy of maintaining reserves sufficient to cover four months running expenses.

Plans for future periods

We are intending to apply for additional grants in order to recruit additional staff to extend our work further into the Knutsford community.

Structure, Governance and Management

Knutsford Together is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which is governed by a constitution. Its objects are for the public benefit the protection and preservation of good health and wellbeing and the relief of persons who are in need by reason of age, ill-health, bereavement or unemployment or other social disadvantage in such ways and by such charitable means as the Trustees may from time to time decide. The Trustees have agreed that its work will be carried out for the benefit of residents of the WA16 postal area.

New Trustees are appointed by resolution of the existing Trustees. They are selected having regards to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.

Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role. They are required to have training in safeguarding.

Approved by the Trustees on 31 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by David Briggs, Chairman

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KNUTSFORD TOGETHER

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

For the period ended 31 March 2023

I report on the financial statements of Knutsford Together CIO for the period ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

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 period under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention

Basis of independent examiner's statement

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 the 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 the 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 present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• the accounts did 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 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.

Signed 17 July 2023 by Peter David Willgoose A.C.I.B.

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KNUTSFORD TOGETHER STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

For the period ended 31 March 2023

Notes Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Income from Restricted Grants Unrestricted Grants Donations HMRC Giftaid Bank Interest Total income Expenditure on Charitable activities Operation of the charity Totalexpenditure Net income and total funds carried forward 5 6 7 8 26,000 61,045 250 205 87,500 33,748 33,748 __ 53,752 25,000 _ 25,000 25,000 25,000 ____ -	Total 2023 £ 25,000 26,000 61,045 250 205 112,500
	58,748 58,748 ______ 53,752

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.

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KNUTSFORD TOGETHER BALANCE SHEET As at 31 March 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Total
2023
£ £
Current assets
Debtors 11 3,029
Cash at bank 12 60,754
Total current assets 63,783
Liabilities
Amounts falling due
within one period 13 (10,031)
Net current assets 53,752
Total net assets 53,752
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted income funds 53,752
Restricted income funds __ -__
Total funds 53,752
Notes
----- End of picture text -----

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.

These financial statements were approved by the Board on 31 May 2023 and are signed on its behalf by David Briggs, Chairman.

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KNUTSFORD TOGETHER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the period ended 31 March 2023

1 Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2 Basis of accounting

2.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Knutsford Together CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

2.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The charity reported total unrestricted funds at the period end of £53,752 and has already secured a significant amount of funding for the current period. The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

3 Income

3.1 Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resources, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is more likely than not that the resources will be received and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

3.2 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS102 SORP or FRS102.

3.3 Grants and donations

Income from grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria of income recognition are met.

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3.4 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity.

3.5 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Restricted funds are grants and donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

4 Expenditure and liabilities

4.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

4.2 Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of work and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

4.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities.

4.4 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

4.5 Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

Analysis of income

5 Income from restricted grants

Cheshire East Council

£25,000

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6 Income from unrestricted grants

Great Places Knutsford Medical Partnership Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Total nations Oliver Valves Ltd PasTest Charity Anonymous Other		£5,000 £16,000 £5,000
	£26,000 £30,000 £10,000 £20,000 £1,045 £61,045	£26,000

7 Donations

Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

8 Charitable activities

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Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ Direct costs Staff salaries 23,999 23,999 Pension costs 401 401 Talking and other cafes 181 181 Connector training 41 41 Website and IT 2,866 25,000 27,866 Support costs Telephone 189 189 Accountancy 224 224 Advertising and launch 1,592 1,592 Bank charges 66 66 Insurance 742 742 Recruitment 1,070 1,070 Other 577 577 Governance costs Legal 1,800 ______ __1,800 33,748 25,000 58,748 Analysis of staff costs and numbers There is one full time employee. Salary £23,999 Social security cost - Pension cost - defined contribution scheme £401

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10 Transactions with trustees

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with the charity.

No trustee expenses have been incurred in the period.

There have been no related party transactions in the period

11 Debtors

Social security overpayment Bank interest receivable HMRC giftaid receivable	£2,574 £205 £250
	£3,029

12 Cash at bank

This comprises cash at bank and short term cash investments with less than three months maturity date.

13 Liabilities falling due within one year

Cheshire East 2023-24 grant received in advance Accruals Total	£10,000 £31
	£10,031

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