HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CIO CHARITY NO. 1197353 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CIO Contents Page Charlty information Report of the Trustees Independent examlnerfs report ststernent of financlal activities Balance sheet Notes to the accounts 9-11 HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION Mana8ement Committee Chalr Sue Mort Mana8ement Commlttee Vice-chalr Hilary Newton Treasurer Peter Benson Trusteeslcommlttee Colin Hutchinson Mark Owen IResigned October 20241 Peter Benson Sue Mort Suzanne Mltchell Sldra Kauser Hllary Newton Tegan Darby Owen Pedder (Appointed January 20251 Nlgel Dean (Appolnted January 25, Resigned July 251 Chlef Officer Faye Herbert Re81stered Charlty Number 1197353 Address 7 Southgate Halifax West Yorkshire HXI IDL Independent Examlners BM Howarth Ltd West House Klng Cross Road Halifax HXI IEB HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CIO REPORT OFTHE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees present their report wlth the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Prattice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the Uk and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. structure. Governance and Management The Halifax Society for the Blind is a Charitable Incorporated Organi5ation registered by the Charitv Commlsslon on 5 January 2022. It commenced operations on l April 2022 taking over from the former charity. It has a Trustee Board which is ultlmately accountable for the conduct of the or8an15ation. Trustee5 are unpaid volunteers, who are selected by reference to the skills and experience, which they possess, whlch could be useful to the operatlon5 of the Society. The CIO Is organised as a membership, and the inltial member5 are those recorded a5 members of the former charity when the CIO began to operate. Membership of the CIO is open to any indlvldual who states they are wllling to support the objects of the charity, Indicates their agreement to accept the d utSes of a member a5 laid out in the constltution of the CIO and resides in the benefit area. Objertlves and ArtSvltles Our mission is to "Provlde practical and emotlonal support to those affected by sight loss" In the Calderdale Metropolitan Borough and surrounding areas. We alm to: Promote independence, through offering advice and guidance about the equipment and servlces available to support individual needs. Increase confidence by supporting people along their slght loss journey, whether this is through learning new skills or providing a listening ear. Reduce isolatlon by providing members with the opportunity to sociali5e with peers through our groups and activities or our Friends on the Phone service. Educate and support external organlsations by Increasing awareness of slght loss in the wider community. Advocate for members. HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Publlc Benefit The Trustees have regard for the guidance contained in the Charity Commisslon's general guldance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and in planning the future activities of the charltv. Or8anisational structure The Trustees are responslble for the overall 8overnance of the charity and hold meetings on a quarterlv basis. At the first annual general meetlng of the members of the CIO all the charity trustees shall retire from office. At every Subsequent annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one-third of the elected charlty trustees shall retire from office by rotation. Rlsk management The trustees have a duty to identify and review the rlsks to which the charity Is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance agalnst fraud and error. hlevement and Performance The charlty has 421 Registered Member5 and operates social support groups and a Sight Centre service. The charlty reviews its servlces regularly based on evldence- includlng input from people who use its service5. Flnanclal Revlew The Income for the year was £119,10512024 £108,338) includin8 le8acie5 of £50,00012024 £NiS). The expenditure for the year was £215,89812024 £128.6751 leaving a deficit of £70,79312024 £62,312 Prof St) Reserves The reserves policy enables the management of 8eneral reserves to ensure an appropriate level of accessible fLtnds Is held to provide agalnst identified flnancial risks, and to provide cover for unexpected changes In income and expenditure. General reserves are matched by highly liquld investments 50 that these can be drawn upon quickly if necessary. The Charity aims to hold Restritted Funds of £382,000 in reserves for approximately 12 months average expenditure. This is to allow for normal operating costs, including staffing cost5, redundancy and unexpected mal ntenance costs. HALIFAX SOCIEfY FOR THE BLIND CIO REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S Investment Polity The Management Cornmittee has adopted a ba lanced investment policy to glve income and long-term growth. Social. environmental, and ethical considerations are considered when settling the investment policy. The Brokers Brewin Dolphin have been engaged to actively manage the Investment Portfolio on behalf of the Trustees. Dividends and Interest Received were £27.8CQ12024 £28,972). The Market Values of the Investments were- General Fund £1,209,43312024 £1.276,7241. Plans for the Future It is imperative that the longer-term vlslon for HSB reflects the needs and aspirations of its members, employees and volunteers. Our f uture plans include raising awareness of our accesslble town centre locatlon. highllghting the wide range of daily1Sving aids and equlpment avaSlable in the Si8ht Centre as well as the many opportunities on offer to engage wlth peers and build Social networks. In 3-5 years, time HSB wants to: Be a well organised, efflcient organlsatlon wlth a knowledgeable, professlonal team providing hlgh quality services to a stron8, expanding membership,. Continue to honour the Queen5 Award by provldlng a fulfillln8 volunteerin8 scheme to volunteers from all backgrounds, Raise awareness of our services and a5 a re5uIt, awareness of slght loss,. Have greater engagement with wider communitles. Including offerlng serv1￿$ to young people. HAIIFAX SOCIEfY FOR THE BUND CIO REPORT OFTHE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Statement of Trustees Responslbllltles The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financlal statements in accordance with applicable law and United Ki ngdom Accounting Standards (including FRS 1021 The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity IAccounts and Reports) Re8ulations 2(K18 and the provisions of the trust deed requlres the Trustees to prepare financia I statements for each financial year which give a true and falr view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incomln8 resources and application of resources, including the Income and expenditure of the charlty for that perlod. In preparing those fi nancial statements the Trustees are requlred to,. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them conslstentlv. Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP.. Make ludgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: Prepare the financial statements on the 80ing concern basls unless itls inappropriate to presume that the charity will contlnue in existence. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accountlng records whlch dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the flnancial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wlth the Charitles Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) regulations 20)8 and the provision5 of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Thls Report was approved by the Trustees on 24 september 2025 and signed on thelr behalf.. P. BENSON Treasurer 4 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HALIFAX SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND CIO I report to the charity on my examination of the Accounts and Notes of the cha rity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Respective Responslbllltles of Trustees and Examlner A5 the Charity's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts, in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the Act'l. you consider that the audit requlrement of Section 144 121 of the Act does not apply and that an Independent Examination is required. It is my responsibility to examlne the Accounts ullder section 145 of the Act and to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145151 Ibl of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examlnerfs Report My examination wa5 ca rried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a revlew of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the Accounts presented with those record5. It also includes consideration of anv unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts, and seeking explanations from the charity, concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attentlon whlch give cause to belleve that in any material respect, accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity a5 requlred by section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with those records,, or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concernin8 the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. J DTurner FCA B M Howarth Ltd West House King Cross Road HALIFAX HXI IEB 24 September 2025 Halifax Socièt for the Blind CIO ¢ial Activitles for th Year Ended 31 M•r£h 202S Stateme fFln Unrertrlded Fund trlrted un Notes Total 2024 ml Resources Ordlnat Income Annual Subxriptions & Donatlons Recelpts from V151tors & Guldes le of Bllnd Equlpm8nt Aviator Sèles Room Hire Grants 17,111 17.111 7,999 149 11.074 21,501 16,455 16,455 120 7,619 41,305 120 7,619 41,305 38,644 79,367 Investment Income Dlvldend5 & Interest Legac￿eS 27,8rKI 50,OtKI 27.8(M) 50,C 28.972 Tot•1 Incornln Re$oui¢es 119,105 119,105 108,339 Resour esEx Outln85 Purchase of 81Snd Alds Ilntl stock adj) Salarles AccounraTrcv Off5ce Se￿Ice5 & Supplles Telephone Rate5,Ll8ht,Heat & Insuranc• Repair5 & Renewals Investment Management Fees Sundry Trade Expenses Childrens Fund Profit on Dlsposal Dt Properry DeprecSatlon of Equlpment & Flxtures Deprec5atlon of Freehold Propertv 401 16,243 129,185 3,￿0 9,545 401 16,243 129,185 3,000 9,545 I,oos 30,985 107,376 3,060 10.845 1,325 21,587 8.06S 8,038 14.022 19,490 7,721 8,é86 LO,268 ILO,3GII 19,490 7,721 8.686 10,268 110.3611 198,0691 3,708 4,363 15.672 15,672 214,398 128,275 3,708 15,672 214,398 Allowances to BIIAd and Servlc Grants and Soc131 Servlces 1,500 1,5 4C Total R r¢es Ex 215,898 215,898 128,675 N t Incom en Iturt 196,7931 196,7931 120.3371 Surplus Ioeflcltl on Sale and Revaluatlon of Investments 26,lJX) 26,000 82.649 Transfer of Funds 1382,lJ)01 382,000 1452,7931 382,0 170,7931 62,312 Balènres Brou htF 1.950,433 10.361 1,960.794 1.898,482 Funds 8a1 1,497,640 392.361 I,8￿),001 1,960,794 Halifax Socie for the Bllnd CIO Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 2024 FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets Investments at Market Value 598,173 1,209,433 1,807,606 617,553 1.276,724 1.894,277 CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments Stock at Resource Centre Cash at Barclays Bank Brewin Dolphln Cash in Hand 4,089 13,577 29,395 28.429 501 75,990 6,270 13,577 34,255 16.024 256 70,382 LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors & Accruals 3,956 3,865 72,034 66,517 NET ASSETS 1,879,640 1,960,794 Funds of the Charl Unrestricted Restricted.. Children's Fund General 1,497,640 1,568,433 10,361 382,¢)00 382,000 1,879,640 1,960,794 The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 24 September 2025 and signed on thelr behalf. P BENSON Treasurer Hallfax 5ocle for the Bllnd CIO Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year to 31 Mar¢h 2025 l. A¢¢ountln8 Poll¢1•5 al Basls of preparatlon of a¢wnts The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entlty under FRS 102, hève been prèpared In accordance w5th the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 'Accountlne and Reporting by Charltles.. Statement of RecownrDended pract7￿ applicable to charities preparing thelr account5 In accordance wlth the Financial Reporting Standard èppllcable in the UK and Republic of I￿land (FR5 1021 leffertlve I january 20191,. Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Flnanclal Reportln8 Standard appllcable Sn the Uk and Republic of Ireland, and the Ch3ritle5 Act 2011. The financlal statements have beèn prepared under the hlstor5cal C05t conventlon w5th th? exceptlon of Investmenrs whlch are Included at market value. bl Income All Income Is feco8ni5ed in the Ststement of Flnanclal Actlvities once the charity has entltlement to the funds, it is probable thèt the income wlll be received and the amount can be measured reliably. The Trustees have opted not to Use the standard breakdown of Income as prescrlbed by the SORP and have opted to Use alternative headings under ihe concesslon lor smaller charltles. CI EXPend￿Ure Llabllltles a￿ ￿cOgnISed a5 expendlture as soon as there Is a le8al or cot)stuctlve obllgatlon cornmlttlng the charlty to that empendlture, It 5s probable that a transfer of economlc beneflrs wlll be requlred In settlement and the amount of the obllgatlon can be measured rellably. Expend51ure Is accounted for on an èccrual basis and ha$ been classlfled under headin85 that g8regaLe all costs related to the cate80ry. whe￿ costs cannot be d1￿ctlY attrlbuted to particular headin8$ they have been èllocated to a¢tlvitles on a basls consistent wlth the resources. The Trustees have opted not to use the Standard breakdown of expenditure as pre5Crtbed by the SORP and have opted to Use altematbve headln8s under the concesslon for smaller charltie5. dl T•wlblo flx•d •ss•ts •nd depre¢lJtlon Tanglble fTxed a55et5 are stated at net book value brought forward less depreclatlon. Depreclatlon rates a￿ calculated Deprec5ation rates are calcul3ted to Sp￿ad the cost ol each asset, less 5t$ estlmated resldual value. over Its expected useful life as follow5 Freehold Property Ofllce Equlprnent 2.5% stralEht Ilne 15% reducln8 balance el Legdclps and Donattons Lègacie5 and donations ￿ceiVed by the Blind Soclety are accounted for Dn a cash basi5 and brou8ht Into the account5 In the year in whl£h they afe recelved. Detalls ol the le8ac5es are15sted at Note 8 to the accounts. t) Stocks Stock5 are valued at the lowtr ol cost and net ￿all$able value 81 In¥e5tments Investments are shown at market value. Hallfax Societ for the Bllnd CIO Notes to the Flnanclal Statements for the Year to 31 March 2025 2. Tan8lblè ffxed A55ets ui and Fixtures Freehold Pro Total Cost at l Aprll 2024 Additions at Cost Disposals at cost Cost at 31 March 2025 626.861 42,446 669,307 626,861 42,446 669,307 Aecumulated Depreciation l April 2024 Depreciation for Year Ellmlnated on disposals 34,029 15,672 17,725 3,708 51,754 19,380 577,160 21,013 598,173 3. Inveslments The Investments have been Included at Market Value. Analysi5 of change In Investments during the year Market Value at l Aprll 2024 Add Acquisitions at cost Less dlsposals at carrying value Net change on revaluatlon Market Value at thè end of the year 1,276,724 553,767 1647,0581 26,000 1,209.433 Hlstorlc Cost at the end of the year 1,167,522 Investments are held prlmarlly to provlde an Investment return for the Charlty. 4. Debtors 2025 2024 Prepayments 4,089 6,270 Hallfax Socle for thÈ Blind Ntste5 to the Finzncizl Statements for the Year to 31 March 2025 5. Chlldren's Fund The Funds held within the Children's Fund have been expensed and used speclflcally to Improve seNlces for children and young people. 6. Restrittsd General Funds The Charlty aims to hold Restr5cted Funds of £382,000 in re5erve5 for approximately 12 months average expenditure. Th15 15 to allow for normal operatin8 Costs, Sncludin8 StaffSng costs. redundancy and unexpected mainlenance costs. 7. Grants 2025 2024 Bi8 Lottery Fund Calderdale CommunSty Foundatlon North Hallfax Partnership 31,718 4.946 1,980 4.946 38.644 4.946 8. Legacles Le8acSes receSved durin8 the year 50,QMJO £NII 9. staff Cost Salarles Employers NatSonal Insurance Employers Pension Contributlons 121,922 102,408 4,281 2,693 2,982 2,275 129.185 107,376 Avera8e number of employee5 During the year no member of staff was paid rnore than £60,CQ). 10. Trustees Expenses and Rernuneratlon During the year there were no payments of expenses and remuneration to the Trustee, and fto transadions with connected persons. 11. Independent Examlners Rernuneration The amount shown lor accountancy In the Siatement of Financial Activities is the amount pald for the Sndependent examination of the records. 12. Transfer of Affairs From l AprS12022 thè Charity operates as a Charltable Incorporated Or8anisation and the asset5, liabllities and fund5 of the old Charity were transferred to the new body on that date. 11