Charity registration number: 220636 Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 McGinty Demack Chartered Certified Accountants Vermont House Bradley Lane Standish WN6 OXF
Wlgan Leigh and OlstrlGt Society for the Blind Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities 2to4 5t06 7t08 9t010 Balance Sheet 11 to 12 Notes to the Financial Statements 13to26
Wigan Leigh and Dlstrlcl Soclety for the Blind Reference and Administrative Oetails Trustees K Boylan A Leyland J R Roberts K Stevenson J Sharratt A Fairhust 4 Scarisbrick Street Wigan WN12BS Charity Registration 220636 Number Principal Office Independent Examiner McGinty Demack Chartered Certified Accountants Vermont House Bradley Lane Standish WN6 OXF Page 1
Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind Trustees. Roport The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Objectives and activities Public benefit Our charity helps blind people who live in the metropolitan borough of Wigan. We hold weekly social classes in the day. We hold day trips in the summer. We also offer advice on equipment and will order when requested daily living aids. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidan published by the Charity Commission for England and Vvales. Structure, governance and management Financial instruments Objectives and policies The charity's activities expose it to a number of financial risks including credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity's policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Page 2
Wigan Lelgh and Dlstrict slety lor the Bllnd Tru•t•••' Report Cash flow risk The charity's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows. Credit risk The charity's principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The charity's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubfful receivables. An allowance for impairment is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on previous experience, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The charity has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. Liquidity risk In order to maintain liquidity to ensure that sufficient funds are available for ongoing operations and future developments, the charity uses a mixture of long-term and short-term debt finance. Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the fsnancial statements. Page 3
Wlg•n L•lgh and Dl•trlct Socl•ty for the Bllnd T10•*. R•port The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 11 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by: A Fairhust Trustee Page 4
Wigan Leigh and District Socioty for the Bltnd Statement of Tru•tèos' Respon8ibiliti8s The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming reSoUrS and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. Page 5
Wigan Lelgh and Distrlct Society for the Bllnd Statement of Trustees. Responsibillties The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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. Approved by the trustees of the charity on 11 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by: A Fairhust Trustee Page 6
Wlgan Lelgh and Di8trlct Soclety for the Blind Independent Ex4mlne¢• Report to the trustees ol Wlgan L•lgh and Dlstrict Society for the Blind I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 26. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As the charity's trustees of Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). report in respect of my examination of the Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind'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.. 1.accounting records were not kept in respect of Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind as required by section 130 of the Act. or 2.the accounts do not accord with those records. or Page 7
Wsgan Lelgh and Dlstrlcl Society for the Bllnd Independent Examln•ff• Report to the trustee8 of Wigan Lftigh and Distrlcl Society for Ihe Blind 3.the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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. Karen Richardson Chartered Certified Accountants Vermont House Bradley Lane Standish WN6 OXF 11 August 2025 Page 8
Wlgan L•lgh and Dlstrlct So¢lety lor th• 811nd ststement ol Financi•l Activitlos lor the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Total funds 2025 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Investment income 13.089 13,089 34,604 34,604 47,693 47,693 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 31,276 31,276 (31,276 31,276 16,417 16,417 727,435 727,435 10 743,852 743,852 Unrestricted Total funds 2024 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Investment income 7,005 7,005 45,189 45,189 52.194 52,194 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Total expenditure Net movement in funds 33,902 33,902 18,292 18,292 33,902 33,902 Page 9
Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Bllnd ststement ol Fln•nclal Actlvltles lor tho Yr Ended 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Total funds 2024 Note Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 709,144 709,144 10 727,436 727,436 All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above t4VO periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 10. Page 10
Wigan L•lgh and Dlitrlcl So¢lety lor th• Bllnd {Regl8tration number: 220636) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Investments 138 154 7 485,394 475,254 485,532 475,408 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 2,882 2,791 257,245 251,780 260,127 254,571 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets 1,807 2,543 258.320 252,028 743,852 727,436 Net assets Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds 743.852 727.436 10 743,852 727,436 Total funds The financial statements on pages 9 to 26 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 11 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Page11
(R•gl8tr•tlon nwnb•r. 220636) A Fairhust Trustee Page 12
Wigan Lelgh and Dl•trlct Soclety for th• Bllnd Notes to the Financial Statements lor the Year Ended 31 March 2025 1 Accounting policies Statement of compliance The financial statements 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. Basis of preparation Wigan Leigh and District Society for the Blind meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements. Going concern The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Page 13
Wigan Leigh and Dlstrl¢l Society lor Ihe Blind Not to the Fln•ncl•l Staloments for th• Year Ended 31 March 2025 Income and endowments 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. Investment Income Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. Expenditure 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. Page 14
Wlgan Lelgh •nd Di•lrlcl So¢lety lor the Bllnd Noto• to Ihe Flnanci•l Stst•ments for th• Y•ar Ended 31 March 2025 Support costs Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage. Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. Tangible fixed assets Individual fixed assets costing £0.00 or more are initially recorded at cost. less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Depreclation and amortisation Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: Page 15
Wigan Leigh and Distrlct Society for the Bllnd Notes to tho Flnanclal Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Fixed asset investments Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal. Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end. Trade debtors Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Page 16
Wigan Leigh and Dlstrlct Soclety for the Bllnd Nol•s to the Financlal Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Borrowings Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the differen between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing. Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date. Fund structure Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Page 17
Wigan Leigh and District Society for th• Blind Notos to tho Financlal Statements for tho Year Endod 31 March 2025 Flnancial instruments Classification Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities. Page 18
Wlgan Lelgh and Dlstrlct Soclety for the 811nd Notes to the Financial Slatsments lor the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Recognition and measurement All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs). except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party. Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires. Page 19
Wlgan Lelgh and Dlstrict Soclety for the Bllnd Not•• to th• Fln•nclal Stat•menl• for the Y•ar Ended 31 March 2025 Investments The charity has investment funds. Fair value measUrnent The best evidence of fair value is a quoted price for an identical asset in an active market. When quoted prIS are unavailable, the price of a recent transaction for an identical asset provides evidence of fair value as long as there has not been a significant change in economic circumstances or a significant lapse of time since the transaction took place. If the market is not active and recent transactions of an identical asset on their own are not good estimate of fair value, the fair value is estimated by using a valuation technique. 2 Income from donations and legacles Unrestricted funds Total General 2025 Total 2024 Regular giving and capital donations 13,089 13,089 13,089 13,089 7,005 7,005 Page 20
Wigan Lelgh and Dlitrlct Soci•ty for the Bllnd Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 3 Investment Income Unrestricted funds Total General 2025 Total 2024 Interest receivable and similar income., Interest receivable on bank deposits Other investment income 9,948 9,948 9,903 24,656 24,656 35.286 34,604 34,604 45,189 4 Trustees remuneration and expenses During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees: A Fairhust A Fairhust received remuneration of £20,000 (2024: £22,166) during the year. Page 21
Wlgan Lelgh and Distrlct Soclety for the Bllnd Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 5 Taxation The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 6 Tangible fixed assets Furniture and equipment Total Cost At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 2,698 2,698 2,698 2,698 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 2,544 2,544 16 16 2,560 2,560 Net book value At 31 March 2025 138 138 At 31 March 2024 154 154 7 Fixed asset investments 2025 2024 Other investments 485,394 475.254 Page 22
Wigan Lelgh and Dlstrlcl Soclety for Iho Blind Notos to the Financial Statements for tha Yoar Ended 31 March 2025 Other investments Unlisted investmentsTotal Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2024 Revaluation 475,254475,254 10,140 10,140 485.394485,394 At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 485,394485,394 475,254475,254 8 Debtors 2025 2024 Accrued income Other debtors 2,756 126 2,640 151 2,882 2,791 9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Page 23
Wlgan Leigh and Dislrlct Soclety lor the Bllnd Noto• to th• Financ1 Statemonts for th? Yoar End•d 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Bank overdrafts Other taxation and social security Other creditors 72 979 756 1,807 72 1.845 626 2,543 11Funds Balance Balance at31 April Incomin9Resources March 2024 resourcesexpended 2025 Unrestricted funds General 727,435) (46,313) 29,896 (743,852) Balance Balance at1 at31 April Incomin9Resources March 2023 resourcesexpended 2024 Unrestricted funds General 709,144 150 564 32,272 (727,436 Page 24
Wlgan Lelgh and Dlstrlcl Soclety for the Bllnd Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 1 Ilnalysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted funds 2025 Total General funds Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities 138 138 485,394 485,394 260,127 260,127 (1,807) (1,807) 743,852 743,852 Unrestricted funds 2024 Total net assets Total General funds Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities 154 154 475,254 475,254 254,571 254.571 (2,543 (2,543) 727,436 727,436 Total net assets Page 25
Wigan L•lgh and Dlstrlct Socl•ty lor tho Blind Not•• to th• Flnanclal Stat•m•nls for tho Y•ar End•d 31 March 2025 1 Xnalysis of net funds At1 April 2024 At31 March 2025 Cash flow Cash at bank and in hand 251,780 5,465 257,245 Net debt 251,780 At1 April 2023 5,465 257,245 At31 March 2024 Cash flow Cash at bank and in hand 254.937 (3,157) 251,780 254,937 (3,157) 251,780 Net debt Page 26
Wlgan L•lgh and Distrlct Sochty for the Bllnd ststement of Flnanclal Actlvlti•s by fund for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Total UnrestriCdreStrlCted funds funds 2025 2024 Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Investment income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Total expenditure Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought foThvard Total funds carried forward 13,089 7,005 34,604 45,189 47,693 52.194 31,276 33,902 (31,276) (33,902) 16,417 18,292 16,417 18,292 727,435 709,144 743,852 727,436 Page 27
Wig•n Lelgh and Dlstrlcl Socl•ty for the Blind Detailed Statem•nt of Financlal Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies (analysed below) Investment income (analysed below) Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds (analysed below) Total expenditure Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13,089 7,005 34,604 45,189 47,693 52,194 {31,276) (33,902) (31,276) (33,902 16,417 18,292 16,417 18,292 727,435 709,144 743,852 727,436 Page 28
Wlg•n L•lgh •nd Dlstrlct Socl•ty lor th• Bllnd D•tailed St•t•m•nl ol Flnancl•l Acllvltlo• lor tho Y•ar Ended 31 March 2025 Tota I 2025 Total 2024 Donations and legacies Committed giving 13,089 13,089 7,005 7,005 Investment income Interest on cash deposits Income from other investments 9,948 9,903 24,656 35,286 34,604 45,189 Raising funds Fundraising costs Wages and salaries Rent and rates Sundry expenses Bank charges Wages and salaries Insurance Telephone and fax Printing, postage and stationery Accountancy fees Depreciation of plant and machinery (1,380) (1,630) (1,200) (1,200) (3,900) (3,900) {3,003) (2,750) {69) (74) (20,000) (22,593) (96) (96) (717) (905) (75) (58) (820) (679) 17 31,276 33,902) Page 29