IPSWICH COMMUNITY PLAYBUS
Annual Report And Accounts
Year ending 31 March 2025
INDEX
Page No
4 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
5 TRUSTEES'REPORT
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7 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
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8 BALANCE SHEET
-
9 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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11 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 12 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
IPSWICH COMMUNITY PLAYBUS
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
LEGAL STRUCTURE: Constitution adopted 16 April 2003
CHARITY REGISTRATION NO: 278061
CURRENT OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Elizabeth Harsant - Chairperson Robert Whitehead - Treasurer Jane O’Shea Lynne Burr Sandie Catlin
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: 7 Constantine Road, Ipswich, IPI 2DL
ADVISERS:
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: John Stenhouse
BANKERS:
Barclays Bank plc 1 Princes Street IPSWICH IPI IRJ
IPSWICH COMMUNITY PLAYBUS
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Governing document
The charity is governed by the constitution which was adopted on 16 April 2003.
Aims and objectives
To advance the education of children below compulsory school age, by providing or assisting in the provision of facilities for group play in which parents can participate where appropriate. In the interests of social welfare to provide recreational facilities for the inhabitants of Ipswich so that the conditions of life may be improved.
History and Background
The original Ipswich Playbus first went out on the road in the early 1970's. Over the years the Playbus expanded and changed its role, following demand from users and a grant from the National Lottery Charities Board. A new secondhand bus was bought and converted into a Playbus. Advice work, outreach and community services were developed.
Review of the Year
The Playbus has had an exciting year
Dennis has had a fantastic first year out on the road! He has certainly captured the minds and hearts of all the children and families. Although some of the older children still ask “when is Maggie coming back?
Maggie - On 23rd September, we said Cheerio to Maggie who left the Depot to make the journey to her new retirement home. Maggie had been with Ipswich Buses since new, 25th March 1985 all the way through to 23rd September 2024!
An absolutely brilliant link up with RRS Sir David Attenborough ‘Boaty McBoatface’ came at the right time to link in with “Our Environment” theme and Boaty’s travels to the Antarctica. A fascinating really interesting involvement as we were getting first hand photos back of icebergs, penguins and beautiful scenery! Us adults learnt a lot! With thanks to my neighbour, Joe, who is ship’s crew.
Suffolk Dental CIC Dental nurses attended Dennis for 2 days on 7th November where they chatted with families about dental hygiene and gave out toothbrushes and toothpaste to the children—they were thrilled!
Sue Wickstead’s Book - “Maggie’s Red Circus Bus” book featured references to our Maggie and Dennis and was purchased in bulk to give to the children as their little Christmas gift. Sue has also willingly accepted to join our Trustees.
Mini Maggie Memories supported by Cllrs Nadia Cenci and Nathan Wilson
(Stoke Park) who each donated half the cost towards these wooden bus toys made by the Lanka Kade Toy Company and given out to all the children and their families, past and present. The mini Maggies have been a big hit and parents report they are being taken to bed every night!
General Funding during the year has come from
Ipswich Borough Council - We were again awarded £5,000 from Ipswich Borough Council Cash Grants 2024-2025. We have also been awarded £15,000 from the Transport Fund at IBC towards parking and the care and maintenance of the Playbus.
BBC Children In Need Grant – We have received four payment this financial year totalling £42,187.65.
Other Funding – Generated by our Fundraiser
| GRANT - Little Lives UK | 2,000.00 |
|---|---|
| GRANT - The Sackler Trust | 10,000.00 |
| GRANT - Nichol Young Foundation | 2,000.00 |
| GRANT - Grocers CT | 5,000.00 |
| GRANT - The Music Sales Charitable Trust/Wise Music Group. | 1,000.00 |
| GRANT - CLARKSON FOUNDATION | 11,667.00 |
| GRANT - Scarfe CT | 500.00 |
| GRANT - Mr And Mrs J P Marland's Charitable Settlement | 350.00 |
| GRANT - The Grace Trust | 750.00 |
| GRANT - R S Brownless | 200.00 |
| GRANT - Cranfield CT | 300.00 |
| GRANT - Xerox (UK) Trust | 1,000.00 |
| GRANT - BRIAN MURTAGH CHAR | 10,000.00 |
| GRANT - Belstead Ganzoni CS | 3,000.00 |
| GRANT - Annie Tranmer Charitable Trust | 2,000.00 |
| GRANT - Orwell Parl School | 2,283.00 |
| GRANT – Annie Tranmer | 2,000.00 |
| GRANT - Postcode Places Trust | 11,667.00 |
| GRANT - CSF Grant | 500.00 |
| GRANT - Fitton Trust | 250.00 |
| GRANT - THE 29TH MAY 1961 | 2,000.00 |
| GRANT - Masonic Charity | 4,000.00 |
| GRANT - The Suffolk Dyslex | 1,645.11 |
GRANT - Monica Rabagliati CT
3,000.00
Other Funding - SCC Locality
GRANT - Cllr Nadia Cenci and Cllr Nathan Wilson
900.00
The Trustees wish to thank all our funders for supporting the Playbus
Volunteers
The current Executive Committee believe that there was one volunteer during the year ended 31 March 2025. (2024: One).
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Risk review Policies are in place regarding the specific areas of risk including child protection, confidentiality, employment.
Reserves policy
The trustees continue to work hard to secure ongoing funding to ensure the sustainability of the Playbus. We have secured £140.7K in Grants plus £1,699 in other income during the year. With running costs of £107.3K p.a., this gives the Playbus a surplus this year. This leaves our reserves in reasonable shape. The Trustees are however continually seeking sources of funding.
Investment policy
Monies in excess of day-to-day requirements are held in an interest bearing account, which with better interest rates has produced £1,032 of additional revenue for the Charity
Appointment of trustees
The Executive Committee is elected at the AGM and consists of:
Chair person Secretary Treasurer
4 to 9 Elected members and up to 3 co-opted members (not more than one third of members of the Executive Committee may be co-opted members).
Trustees are recruited from interested persons known to the Executive Committee.
Current Trustees are:
Mrs Elizabeth Harsant - Chairperson Robert Whitehead – Treasurer & Secretary Jane O’Shea Lynne Burr Sandie Catlin
Statement of Trustees responsibilities in respect of the accounts
Charity law 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 surplus or deficit of the charity for that period.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice 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 operation.
The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate systems of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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 Statement of Recommended Practice, ''Accounting and Reporting by Charities'' issued October 2000. 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 and to provide reasonable assurance that: the charity is operating efficiently and effectively', its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition; proper records are maintained and financial information used within the charity or for publication is reliable; and the charity complies with relevant laws and regulations.
Approved by the Trustees on – 9 January 2026
Elizabeth Harsant
Ipswich Community Playbus Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2025
| Fixed Asset Tangible assets Bus Depreciation Original Cost Renovation Work Total Bus Total Tangible assets Total Fixed Asset Cash at bank and in hand ICP Current Account ICP Interest Account Renewals Fund Takings/Petty Cash Total Cash at bank and in hand Debtors Accounts Receivable Total Debtors Current Assets Undeposited Funds Total Current Assets Net current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Accounts Payable Total Trade Creditors Current Liabilities Payroll Liabilities VAT Control - HMRC Total Current Liabilities Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets (liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets (liabilities) Capital and Reserves Opening Bal Equity Retained Earnings Profit for the year Total Capital and Reserves |
Total |
|---|---|
| As of Mar 31, 2025 As of Mar 31, 2024 |
|
| 75,597.60 75,597.60 21,547.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 32,138.40 0.00 |
|
| £ 86,188.80 £ 75,597.60 |
|
| £ 86,188.80 £ 75,597.60 |
|
| £ 86,188.80 £ 75,597.60 8,191.45 3,276.25 111,576.22 90,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 27.11 22.42 |
|
| £ 129,794.78 £ 103,298.67 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 0.00 £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 0.00 £ 0.00 |
|
| £ 129,794.78 £ 103,298.67 493.84 0.00 |
|
| £493.84 £ 0.00 |
|
| £ 734.22 £ 532.69 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 734.22 £ 532.69 |
|
| £ 1,228.06 £ 532.69 |
|
| £ 128,566.72 £ 102,765.98 |
|
| £ 214,755.52 £ 178,363.58 |
|
| £ 214,755.52 £ 178,363.58 38,466.99 38,466.99 140,114.39 53,997.94 36,174.14 85,898.65 |
|
| £ 214,755.52 £ 178,363.58 |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The financial statements also comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 1993 and with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified. Donations and fundraising are recognised in the Financial Statements on receipt. No amounts are included in the financial statements for the services donated by volunteers.
Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of resources. Fundraising Costs are commission paid to S Williams - SJW Fundraising Consultants
Tangible Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost, including any incidental expenses of acquisition.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off each asset over its estimated useful life as follows:
Bus – 20% Straight Line
The organisation is a registered charity and its activities are exempt from United Kingdom Income and Corporation Taxation.
Any Income Tax recoverable under Gift Aid is recognised in the Financial Statements in the period in which it is received.
Gifts in kind Included at the valuation of the donor.
Signed: Robert Whitehead Treasurer Signed: John R Stenhouse Independent Examiner
Total
Ipswich Community Playbus Income and Expenditure
| Income Fundraiser Sales Gifts and Donations Income Unrestricted Total Gifts and Donations Income Grants Restricted Grant New Bus Fund Total Restricted Grant Total Grants Services SLA Total Income Gross Profit Expenses Admin Services Advertising and Promotion Bus Equipment Expense Cleaning Materials Depreciation Expense Dues and Subscriptions Fundraising Costs Insurance Licenses and Permits Maintainance Motor Expense Bus Repairs and Renewals Diesel Total Motor Expense Office Supplies Payroll Expenses Pension Taxes Wages Total Payroll Expenses Play Equipment Printing Postage and Stationary Rent Repairs Equipment Repairs Total Repairs Subscriptions Telephone Training Travel & Ent Total Expenses Net Operating Income Other Income Interest Income Total Other Income Net Other Income Net Income |
Apr 2024 - Mar 2025 Apr 2023 - Mar 2024 |
|---|---|
| 864.00 673.00 834.74 983.30 |
|
| £834.74 £ 983.30 98,512.11 77,619.00 42,187.85 18,835.60 0.00 69,686.74 |
|
| £ 42,187.85 £ 88,522.34 |
|
| £ 140,699.76 £ 166,141.34 0.00 0.00 |
|
| £ 142,398.50 £ 167,797.64 |
|
| £ 142,398.50 £ 167,797.64 328.24 560.64 4,072.39 1,400.98 25.98 61.87 495.99 261.85 21,547.20 00.0 42.00 189.18 18,333.67 18,093.88 1,983.85 4,195.18 0.00 -131.25 15,000.00 11,250.00 517.08 539.39 18.53 6,733.05 2,966.69 3,293.46 |
|
| £ 3,502.30 £ 10,565.90 0.00 26.39 1069.06 896.15 195.96 323.56 35,867.78 33,161.19 |
|
| £ 37,132.80 £ 34,380.90 1,489.25 769.47 9.80 70.89 2,060 0.00 10.00 10.00 |
|
| £ 10.00 £ 10.00 194.99 12.00 735.76 683.05 0.00 103.98 60.13 178.20 |
|
| £ 107,256.77 £ 82,683.11 |
|
| £ 35,141.73 £ 85,114.53 1,032.41 784.12 |
|
| £1,032.41 £784.12 |
|
| £1,032.41 £784.12 |
|
| £ 36,174.14 £ 85,898.65 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Ipswich Community Playbus On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2025 Charity no 278061 ended (if any) Set out on pages Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025.
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 Trust’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 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
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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• 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 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.
Signed: Date: 7th January 2026 Name: John Stenhouse Relevant professional FIOEE qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: 1 Ramsey Road, Hadleigh, Ipswich, Suffolk IP7 6AN