Victoria Centre Annual Report ## Contact details: Address: Victoria Centre 46-50 Palk Road Wellingborough NN8 1HR Tel. 01933 277400 Website: https://www.victoriacentre.org.uk/ Childcare booking: https://www.victoriacentre.org.uk/shop/ pg. 1 ||Index| |---|---| |Page 1|Contact details| |Page 2|Index| |Page 3|Funders and financial supporters| |Page 4|Friends of Victoria Centre| |Page 5|Centre Personnel| |Page 6|Message on Godric Bader| |Page 7|Chair’s statement| |Page 8|Manager’s statement| |Page 9|Hirer’s reports| |Page 13|Promotions past and present| |Page 14|Blank| |Appendix i|Victoria Centre Childcare report| |Appendix ii Extracts from Financial Report to March 2022|| pg. 2 During 2021 - 2022 funders and financial support was provided to Victoria Centre by: pg. 3 ## Some of the many Friends of Victoria Centre: pg. 4 ## **MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHARITY TRUSTEES 2021-22** **PRESIDENT** Godric Bader **VICE-PRESIDENT** Cynthia Bailey **CHAIR** Richard Jackson (To Jan 2022) / Tony Aslam (From Jan 2022) **VICE-CHAIR** Jennifer Dixon, and Richard Jackson (From January 2022) **SECRETARY** Gill Mercer (To January 2022) Vacant from October 2021 **TREASURER** Brian Emerson (to October 2021) Vacant from October 2021 **U.R.C. REPRESENTATIVES** Eira Billings **N.R.E.C REPRESENTATIVES** Anjona Roy **WELLINGBOROUGH COUNCIL REPS** Cllr Tony Aslam (to May 2021) **WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL** Cllr Elayne Francis (from May 2021) Cllr Philip Irwin (from May 2021) **NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL** Cllr Jonathan Ekins (from May 2021) **COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES** Cllr Graham Lawman (to April 2021) Cllr Gill mercer (to April 2021) **INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS** Nasreen Imtiaz (From October 2021) Rosemary Abram Maria Lloyd (to October 2021) Pauline Jafarian Elayne Francis (to May 2021) Tony Aslam (from May 2021) Jonathan Ekins (to May 2021) ## **OTHER INFORMATION** **CENTRE MANAGER** Kevin Johnstone **PRINCIPAL OFFICE** 46-50 Palk Road, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 1HR **BANKERS** Barclays Bank plc Unity Trust Bank **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** AR Business Consultancy Ltd 62 Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, NN15 6UB pg. 5 ## Godric Bader – President of Victoria Centre, 1982 to 2022. ## _Lived, 1923 to 2022._ Godric Bader has been president of Victoria Centre since the passing of Ernest Bader. Like his father before him Godric had vision of a better world, and did what he could to ensure that Victoria Centre was a place where that vision was advanced. Giving financial support, moral leadership and practical leadership, Godric remains an example to current and future custodians of Victoria Centre. As a reminder of best principles, I take an extract from the book “The Man Who Gave His Company Away” – by Susanna Hoe: the biography of Ernest Bader. As Godric became successor to his father within the Scott Bader Commonwealth: ## _**Chapter: No Dying of the Light**_ _**“Rage, rage against the dying of the light” – Dylan Thomas.**_ _**…… What Godric clearly wants to see is supervisors and managers aware that they are servant/leaders and not a management**_ **elite** _**; that they are a catalyst for common effort, one of a group, a co-ordinator, not in charge.**_ As current manager of Victoria Centre I take these words to heart, and I hope that I work to the standard they set. All the good that Victoria Centre attempts to do, and all the good that is achieved is only done as a team effort. No involved person, no worker, funder or supporter, no volunteer or trustee or client or member should escape praise when, together, we achieve betterment within our Wellingborough communities. Godric Bader. Rest In Peace. Kevin Johnstone, Centre Manager in 2022. pg. 6 ## **Chair’s Statement** Welcome to all who are attending our 2022 AGM and those who will be reading this Annual Report. Here I capture a summary of Victoria Centre progress since my term as Chair began, with reference to events before that. This year’s Annual Accounts builds on the work done by Brian Emerson acting Treasurer to October 2021. His work to establish the Financial Handbook (approved Feb 2022) created a sound basis for financial probity and processes throughout all the Charity’s activities. The new team in the office, Diana Trickett, Bogdan Cesauanu have quickly and efficiently adopted all the required processes. The new Manager Kevin Johnstone follows in the previous Manager’s footsteps by bringing in new funds and building the Charity’s persona throughout the town and local area. The resulting hiring’s and publicity have resulted in more outreach and rebuilding of Victoria Centre community services to levels similar to pre-Covid. The Centre’s financial situation not yet consistently reliable and stable. My sincere thanks to all the staff and the manager for making Victoria centre a place for happiness, viable for the community to use safely. External factors other than the pandemic have impacted on the Centre and this is not just the current economic situation. The split from a county authority to two unitary meant the disappearance of well known trustee representatives from both the Borough Council and the County Council. This makes it difficult to have support for grant applications to particularly to the new North Northants Council. The Town Council no longer has the powers or the finance that the Borough Council had. Victoria Centre Constitution invites local bodies including local government to nominate representative Trustees. It is within the control of the nominating organisation whether they take up the place or not, and a number of these places have not been taken up. This has created a weakness in the operation of the Charity. Falling attendance at Management Committee meetings affects decision making. Trustees are reviewing the constitution to bring it up to date. There is an urgency to fill the empty Officer posts of Treasurer and Secretary. Membership has also fallen with an impact on income and donations. This is gradually being turned around, with now 41 members as against 50 members pre-Covid. We intend to grow membership continually, and to reinstate member-oriented events to inform, involve and recognise this involvement. Thank you to Gill Mercer for her hard work before stepping down in May 2022, Brian Emerson, who continued active support after stepping down in 2021, and our Accountant, Andrea Rudge, who’s advice is always valued. I would like to thank United Reformed Church – our ever-supportive landlord; and Sofawise for the kind donation in the sum of £2500. This money went towards our new stair lift. A special Thank You and congratulations to Marta and Childcare for winning The Jubilee Scarecrow Festival Competition. And Thank You to all our funders, supporters, hirers and clients. Too many to list, but we are truly grateful to work with you. I thank each and every one who is linked to the Victoria Centre. _Tony Aslam, Chair 4[th] October 2022._ pg. 7 ## **Manager’s Statement** Hello to all the members and friends of Victoria Centre. I am now approaching a year since I was appointed to the role of Centre Manager and it has been a year full of variety, challenges, learning and new contacts. Much of it has been fun, and all of it has been beyond fascinating as I learn about the workings of the Third Sector of the UK economy. As I reflect on what has gone well and could be done better, I am confident that Victoria Centre has made a real positive difference in the lives of many in Wellingborough and surrounds. When I took the reins Covid still had strong impact on our ability to hire out, to invite in and to re-establish a personal relationship with local people. That had led to isolation, depression and fear in many. By attaining a new balance of infection prevention to engagement our team have opened up our halls and rooms to an extent that there is significant competition for the most sought-after timings. This points to a possibility of making the lesser used time slots more available, and in this we can satisfy more bookings, more engagement and more socialisation. I can also see spaces that I would love to overhaul, so that those become available at peak times. In short, Victoria Centre has greater potential than we have yet reached. As to achieving our mission of improving the lives of the people of Wellingborough, there is plenty to be celebrated. With Western Power sponsorship we raised workshops on home fuel efficiency, presenting on both traditional and new ways to heat well. This will be reprised in October / November 2022, as needs are greater. We had another small fund from Western Power Distribution to help with holiday hunger. This allowed us to give a weekly shopping selection over the summer holidays to twenty local families, representing seventy to eighty people in food (and other) poverty. As Partners to the Household Support Fund we thought we could serve sixty households, and ended up serving well over two hundred, by distributing £100 vouchers. But our flagship service has, without a doubt, been the work we have done in support of Ukraine evacuees. I am proud to say that The Centre’s ICNA process was the template for new similar operations at centres from Wellingborough to Corby. Apart from that we met many wonderful people and new friends from Ukraine. Alongside Wellingborough partners of St Marks Church, Glamis Hall, Marion Turner Hawes, community and faith groups, Victoria Centre turned much of its operation over to the urgent assistance needed for evacuees and their sponsors. Along the way we found a host of volunteers, generously giving their time and energies to support our efforts. Especial thanks goes to Tony, Pete, Jan, Sunny, Syed, & Rosemary, for their constant turn-out at our English Language workshop, and to Edeltraud for running a more formal English Language Class, weekly, from March to October. Also thanks to Farnush, who ran a class dedicated to women learning English, each Tuesday. I cannot end without commenting on my deep appreciation for all the staff at Victoria Centre. Each one has contributed enormously to our service and success. Our Coordinator, Diana is a dependable pillar of The Centre. Our Childcare staff continue to amaze me with their work and professionalism. We couldn’t run without the dedication of our cleaning and maintenance staff. I will single out Bogdan Cesauanu, who is technically a part-timer, but who continues to work at home to meet immense demands to fix clients problems to the small hours. As we move to 2023 our administrative team – with a year under our belts – will be better equipped to serve the community. We look forward to doing that. _Kevin Johnstone. C_ entre Manager. October _2022_ pg. 8 ## **Hirer’s Reports:** ## **WHAGG Report for Victoria Centre.** Women have a Go Group started in 2007 at Victoria Centre, Wellingborough. We are group of about 10 women, who are interested mainly in Textile crafts. We meet every Thursday morning, 10.00-12.00, (except August). Due to Covid, the group did not meet at Victoria Centre but it did not stop the ladies from actively working at home by themselves and making 1,994 various items like Face Masks, Baby Blankets, Cardigans , Hats, Toys, Innocent Smoothie Bottle Hats, Hearts, Twiddle Muffs, Quilts, Lapel Flags, Fish and Chips jumpers , Mittens, Eye Masks , Scarfs etc. which have been donated to various individuals and organisations of the community , which are: 1. Baby Basics 2. Nene Valley Community Action 3. Wollaston is Kind 4. Age UK. 5. Northampton General Hospital for their ‘Connecting Hearts’ Appeal 6. Northampton General Hospital for their ICU patients 7. Northamptonshire Community Foundation 8. St. Martins’s Organisation for the homeless 9. Linus Group 10. Ukraine support with lapel flags 11. Local Library I am pleased to say that the group has resumed meeting again every Thursday. We always welcome women who have interest in craft to join this group and have a go. _Kala Chauhan. September 2022_ ## **Support Northamptonshire Report for Victoria Centre** Support Northamptonshire (SN) is an organisation with very similar missions to Victoria Centre (VC), though across a larger geographic area. Since their arrival SN and VC have found easy collaborations and common cause, with SN happy to lend their experience and methods to VC staff. In addition, VC benefits from regular rental of a lesser used office space. NBCT is a collaboration of over 25 black organisations brought together as a direct result of the disproportionate impact of Covid on black communities Back Lives Matter to overcome health and other inequalities. pg. 9 ## **Serve Report for Victoria Centre** Serve now has an office at Victoria Centre. This is larger than they have been used to, and accommodates up to 5 staff, or more for meetings, and permits them to come-in-to-work rather than working at home. For Victoria Centre this brings in regular income from room hire, and allows easy collaboration, with the added benefit of being a “first choice” for Serve conference booking. Serve Home Care: Our individually tailored Home-Based Care and Support services give people who need assistance with everyday living the choice to remain as independent as possible in the comfort of their own home. Whether you’re looking for long- or short-term care and support at home for yourself or a loved one we would like to help. We provide a comprehensive range of flexible tailor-made care and support services that help people to remain in their own homes providing assistance from 30 minutes to 24 hours a day.SERVE have been supporting people to live independently in their own homes for over 40 years. ## **Regular Hirers:** ALS - Draw & Paint including life drawing Dungeons & Dragons ALS - German Folk Songs NNC Weight management sessions ALS ESOL Classes - Overflow sessions Northants REC ALS French Year 1 Part 1 Quality Coordinator ALS NNC Eng Lang - Emilia Roohi Salman Barbells and Boobies Boxing Roohi Salman - Halal Cafe Bobbin Lace Making - Beginners - Part 1 (Adult Learning) Stage Skill Workshop Glorious Gospel of Christ - Sunday Worship Trustee Meeting HIIT with Kristine Grinvalde U3A Art Group Hindu community centre U3A Tai Chi Karate with Liam O'Reilly Weekly Booking - Pilates with Mahala Kids Yoga with Rabeena Well spring Tai Chi Labour Group Meeting Wellingborough Civic Society LW Kingsway Church Dostiyo LW Outreach meeting Wellingborough Town Council Milap Booking + ALS Sustainable Art for beginners Wellness with Kristine - Herbalife Wellingborough Lions Crafters (Via Sarah) childcare WellSpring Tai Chi pg. 10 **Public Health Northamptonshire** , in its “Well Northants” initiative is partnered with Victoria Centre in understanding the needs and voices of Victoria Ward. To this end we have posted thousands of leaflets through doors, done door-to-door surveys and held public events to invite direct involvement. Extract from the resulting report: ## 1. Well Northants in Victoria, Wellingborough. The story so far…… Between April and August 2022, the Well Northants team and the Victoria Centre delivered a number of engagement events in Victoria. The events included doorstep conversations throughout the area, an Easter community event, street conversations and discussions with people attending activities in the community. The team then held a community café (based on World Café methodology); in the daytime of 25 June 2022 at the Victoria Centre. At these events residents discussed the question, "What would a healthy Victoria Community look like?" Circa 21 residents attended. ## **About the area** Victoria is a ward and is located to the east of Wellingborough Town centre. It is also home to many migrants who have settled in Wellingborough and is one of the most diverse areas in the town. ## **Population size** 6,448 ## **Age and Sex** There are more under 5s and less over 65s living in Victoria when compared to England averages. pg. 11 **Ethnicity** Also: Appendix 1: Victoria Centre Childcare Appendix 2: Financial Report to March 2022 pg. 12 RIA RED MBER AR BUSINESS CONSULTAIKY LTD 62 POLWELL LAME BARTON SEAGRAVE KErrERING NORThAMPTIJ4SHIRE NN15 6UB CrOR￿ ￿NTRE Gl ERED CHARrrY N MBER 78 CONTENTS Officers, trustees and senior stsff Trustees, report Independent Examlne¢s report Statement of Financial Affairs Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 7-11 vicroRIA CENTRE REGISTERED CHARrrY NUMBER 278215 LEGAL AND ADMINISTrATIVE PRESIDEMr Godric Bader -PRESIDENr Cynthla Bailey Richard Jackson (To Jan 2022lThony Aslam (From Jan 20221 Jennifer Dixon. and Richard Jackson (From January 20221 Glll Mer￿r ITO January 2022) Vacant from October 2021 CHAIR VICE-CHAIft SECREfARY TREASURER Brian Emerson (to October 2021) Vacant from October 2021 U.R.C. REPRESEf4TATIVE5 Eira Billin85 Anjona Roy CllrTony Aslam (to May 20211 Cllr Elayne Francis (from May 20211 Cllr Philip Irwin (from May 20211 Cllrjonathan Ekins (from May 20211 Cllr Giaham Lawrnan (to Aprfl 20211 Cllr Glll mercer (to April 20211 Nasreen Imtla2 (From October 20211 Rosemary Abram Marla Lbyd {to October 2021) Paullne Jafarian N.R.E.C REPRESENTATIVES WELLINGBOROUGH COUNaL REPS WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN COUNOL NORTh NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNaL COUNTY COUNCIL REPRESENTATives INDIVIDUAL MEMBER5 Elayne Francis Ito May 20211 Tony Aslam (from May 20211 Jonathan Ekins (to May 20211 OTHER INFORMATI CENTRE MANAGER Kevin Johnstone PRINapAL OFFICE 4&50 Palk Road, Wellln8l>orough. Northants. NN8 IHR BANKERS Barclays Bank pk Unity Trust Bank INDEPENDENT EXAMINER AR Bu5ine55 Consultancrf Ltd 62 Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave. Ketteri￿ NN15 6UB REGisfERED CHARITY NUMBER 278215 2021- ference and admlnlstrathie detal The Virtoria Centre, 4&50 Palk Road, Wellin8borou8h, Northampton5hire, NN8 IHR is a voluntary organisation formed In 1979 w￿h a charftable Const￿Ut10n. It Is a reglstered charlty no. 278215. The Centre ks governed by a Management Commrttee IMCI. A full list of MC members (the Tru5teesl and of sen*)r staff of the Centre can be found on page l. There are four principal partner organisations of the CentTe. The Wellin8bDrou8h United Reformed Church IURCI, Hb8h Street, Wellingborough, owns the building in which the Centre operates, leasin8 it to the Centre at a peppercorn rent. The other founder member of the Centre, the Northamptonshlre Rlghts and Equality Councll INREQ, now engages only through membershlp of the MC. The Centre buys In flnanclal servlces from Central Computers Manchester Ltd (Llvepayl and r¢s Independent Examlner, AR Buslness Consultancy Ltd. The Victorla Centre is Bovemed through a written constltutlon. the Object￿e$ of whkh are at Paragraph 3 below. The MC descrlbed above Is elected at the AGM. It comprises four members elected by the general membership, two nomlnated by the URC and two from the NREC. Local government changes In May 2021, to establlsh two unltarles In Ihe county. mean that the Centre now has two ￿ presenlatives from Wellingborough Town Councll and two from North Northamptonshlre Councll. In addltion, the MC may cTropt up to four members. The four officers- Chalr, Vlce- Chalr, Secretary and Treasurer, are elected at the AGM and must be members. All members have equal votln8 ri8hts t MC meetln85. Senlor staff also attend but do not have votln8 rl8ht5. Duri1¥ 2021-22 there were various rÈsl8nations and app(Nntment5 due to external fac1ors over which the Centre has no control. Isee Ilst on pa8e prevlous pa8el. The mangement of the Centre was led by Centre Mana8er. Marlon Turner-Hawes untll November 2021. Kevln Johnstone was appolnted mana8er In the same month. There Is a strnte8lc buslne5s plan keFrt urKler revlew and development as the Centfe mlrrors soclety In pullln8 away from the effects of the Covkl-19 pandemlc. There are servbce level agreemenls wbih major funders and there Is a new room hlre agreement to reflect the post-cLNld need to retum to'noimallty" A pro8ramme Is In p￿Ce to revlew pollcles and to update the constltutlon. The maln purpose of the Centre Is set out In Its tonstllutlon as folknvs: promote the benefft of all those Ibvln8 or workin8 in the Borough of Well1n8t￿roUgh wfthoul dlstlnrtlon of age, gender, sexuallty, colour, natlonal or ethnk orl8in, disabiltiy. caringldependent responsibilities, political or religious opinions or for any other unlustlflable reason. Thls wlll be achleved by assocfiatlon wfth the local authorltles, organOsatK*ns and inhabitants in a Common effort to advance educatlon and to provide facilities in the interests of sotial welfare for recreation and leisure time upatlon." The Centre delivers these objectb￿S by direct prcv4islon of facil1t￿5 for children and young people, by prcwidin8 an affordable and welcoming meeting place for community 8roups, e5￿131￿ those offerlng seNlces to older people, by SUPPOrtlng and facllltatlng Inter-falth actlvty and by offerin8 Incubatlon help. supw)rt and premises for emerging groups, particularly from dlsadvantaged or newty-arrfved communltles. seThe sLitement The Trustee5 have established a pdicy Where￿ the unre5trirted fvnd5 not commrtted or invested in tangible fLxed asset5 (Free Reserves) held ty the Charfty should be £50.CLKI.This equales to approximate￿ three month5, general expenditure and at this level they feel that they would be able to continue the current actwitles of the Centre. This sltuatlon Is re8ularly monltored alon8 With continually seeking addrtional sources of income to help fund the communty project5 undertaken. A5 at 31st March 2022, the Charty's free reserves amounted to £99,785. 5 Achlevements and rf0M￿Tr The Centre has tonllnued to pull away from the effects of the pandemic. Rooms gradually carne back Into use wTrth two lon8-term office lettin85 to Support Northants and SERVE. This provides a 5teè(fy income. Faciltlies for Zoom or Teams meetings are now provided in the Lounge, enabling hybrKI meetin85 as well as remote conferenclng. This attrart5 business and also enables all Trustees to take part in meetings accordin8 to clrcurn5tances. Trustees learned to use these frdcilitles duri￿ knkdown. SERVE consortium meetinBS for the local communlty are held In the Centre. in real time, to inform the communlty and exchan8e news. The Centre is a member of the Communlty Resiliellce Forum whlch is a totalty online fonjm for the cornmunty. run by Jonathan Hornett. The use of social Media by staff has enabled the Centre to reach more users. The Childcare department contlnuesto attract th of custom underthe leadershlp of Marta Jankow5ka. The Centre developed and bid for resources to facllltste the arrlval and support of refu8eesfrom both Afghanlstan and Ukralne. Thls Is supported by the ICNA project whlch continues Its work All ol the above owe much to the aPP￿ntMent arKI vi51on of the new manager. Kevlnjohnstone, and to a new team In the offlce. Dlana Trlckett and 808dan Ce5auanu. A caretaker. Florln, has also been appointed. The Centre has considerable nurnber of accredited volunteers wlthout whom the abryrfe achlevements c(yJld not easlty happen. Membershlp numbers are disappointlng and thls needs a targetted campalgn to attraa new people. There Is also shortage of Trustees. Treasurer Brfan Emerson went on to other lrfe Opportunit￿5. resl8ning in October 2021. Secretary Glll Mer￿r retired in January 2022. with thank5 for her hard work. Neither has been replaced but the search Is ongolng. Trustee attendance at medings has Var￿d. whlth creates a rlsk to sound detision-makinB. The Centre Is not alone In the sector wlth thls problem as there seems to be a general reluLtance for people to take up Trustee or officer posi5, 6 Flnanclal R vl Please See the IE report and flnancial statements for a det•lled vlew of the flnances. The Centre has gone throuBh an unsettled perfod wtth the change of Mana8er ind ¢>ffi¢e staff, after prevlous employees left for pastures new and we wlsh them well. ft a150 owes much to the fom)er Treasurer, 8rlan Emerson who Created a detalled Flnanclal Handbook and Levels of Authority. Both were approved by Trustees and are the basls for sound flnancial practlce wlthln the charlty. The new manager and staff have proved to have many talents and a wllllngness to tackle varled flnandal and other artlvltles and tssks. Wlthout a Treasurer, Ihe Centre has been hel￿d temporarfty ty the Independent Examlner. but It Is urgent to flnd replacement. Regular fSnanclal reports are provided to the MC ￿ the Mana8er. One financlal worry raised by the Mana8er Is that. as the previously ample emergency fvnds are used, the Cerrtre needs to secure more sources of regular income, which is proving dlfficult. The si￿atIon 15 being monitored. Funds for on80in8 work to support Ukralnlan refugees has yet to be released by the local authorrty and are belng pursued. 7 Pl A top prlority must be to obtain a steady regular Income. The cent￿ has modernised the bulldlng In physlcal and digital ways to enable a wide varEty of comrnunity groups to use the facilities. Trustees are lookin8 forward to re-estsbllshlng soclal events In many dirertions e.8. the URC and Children's department, and to creatin8 opportunites in volunteering that could lead to further education or employment. Also, to providlng Inforniation and services that support climaie change strategies and to enable the public to be informed of these. We also hope to return to hosiSn8 arts and drama events. Lastly, thanks go to all staff and fellow trustees who have Worked so hard to keep the Centre alive land klckingl durlng the last Iwo difficult years and we look forward to our continued endeavours. 8 Funds held as custodlan trustees for othevs During 2021-2022 the Centre held no funds on behalf of others. Jennifer Dlxon- Vice Chair 14th September 2022 )1 REGisfERED CHARITY NUMBER 27 I report on the accounts of the Charltyforthe year ended 31st March 2022 which are set out on the followin8 Respective responsilxlitiw of tru5¢ees and examlner The Charity's trustees are responslble forthe weparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required forthis year under section 144121 of the Charllles Art 201112011 Act) and that an independent examlnatlon is needed. l am qualified to undertake the examination by belng a Chartered Management Accountant. It is my respon51bSlltyto-_ examlne the accounts under sertlon 145 of the 2011 Art follow procedures lald down in the general dlrectlDns 8lven undersectlon 1451511bl of th 2011 A(t state whether particular matter5 have come to my attentk)n. 8J515 of Independent examlner's Yewt My examlnatlon was carrled out In atcordance with the general dirertions 8iven by the Charity Comfflisslon. An examinatlon includes a review of the accountln8 records kept by the Charlty and a comparison of the account5 presènted with those records. It also include5 con51deratk¥n of any unusual rtems or discbsures Sn the accounts, and seeklng explanatlons from the Trustees concernln8 such matters. Indep•nd•ntex•mlnerfs statem l am pleased to report on accounts wh*h represent a more'nomial. yèar for Centre and for seclety In Beneral, wfth only a relatively small legacy effed of Cow&19 lockdvwns and restrlrtlons. On the face of ft, the accounts look to be less healthy than for 2021 but It would be rni51eJdin8 to say that, A￿hoUsh total income of £186,0951s sl8nffi¢antly down from É4tsJ.234 in 2021, this needs some analysls. In 2021, 8rant Income was exceptionally hlgh1£287.4351• partfy due lo the avallablltty of fundlng for Covld-related projects. In 2021-22, that fi8ure is £41,796. Conversety, income generated through childcare and lettln85 Is £130,876, compared to £70.222 In 202￿21 and donatlons amounted to £12.25812021 £2.4331. Dlrect CovkI-￿1￿ted Income wa5 also £20,000 less this year. Re8ardlng expendlture, overheads are £20.120 less than 2021. The￿ was no expenditure on Local projects thls year. Total employee costs are £17,009 up on last year, alihough childcare wa8es are £11,699 lower. Rates and Utllities, £12,879, are sign￿lContty hl8her than 20211£7.1151 part￿ due to Councll tax being payable whlch was walved In the previous I￿0 years. Bad debts We￿ reduced almost tompletefy durln8 ihls year. The high level of grant Income In 2021 more than covered the overheads and contrlbuted towards ¢aprlal expenditure Whe￿a$ in 2022 8rant Income covered only around 17% of total expendlture on overheads and capltal and, although seW.8enerated Income was encwrd8in& the Centre spent more than Its income. leadlng to a deficit for the year of £51,441. Thi5 is not necessarity worryin& due to the heatthy flnancial pOS￿10n of the Centre at the start of the perlod. However, It is obvlously not sustainaile In the long term unle55 h*her levels of grant fundln8 can be secured. which cannot be guaranteed. It Is therefore necessary to increase leve15 of self*enerated Income to ensure the future of the Centre at curwent spend level& At year end, the Centre had cash reserves of £7932012021 £141.1251. of whith, £1.959 related to balances to be spent against restilrted and desl8nated grants. The fvnds carried forward d£99.785 are healthy ènd rea55urlng In the short-tenn. During the year the￿ were changes of managerial, admin￿tratIon and accounting personnel but. with the exceptlon of some mlnor training requirernents. l am happythat the staff, systems and procedures now In place are working well to enable effic*nt financial recording and reporting. l am. therefore, satisfied that these accounts represent a and accurate reflection of the Centre's financial position. A R Buslness Consultancy Ltd 62 Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave. Ketterin& Northamptonshire. NNIS 6UB VICTORIA CENTRE ED Notes Unrestrlcted Restrictèd Funds Funds Total 2021.2022 Income from: Donations and Legacies 12,258 12,258 2,433 Charltsble actfvltles Investments 144.033 29,796 173,829 397,774 27 Total Incorne ExperKllture on: Charltable arthAtles 189,840 47,696 237,536 257,656 Totsl expendfture Net In¢om•/loxp•ndlture} Transfers between funds 133,541 (17,9￿) 151,441) 142,578 Net movement of funds 133.5411 {17.￿) 151,4411 142,578 Ilecondllatlon of funds: Total funds brought forward l April 2021 131,367 19.859 151.226 vicroRIA CEpiniE RED CHARrrY N MBE Flxed a55ets 24.234 20,453 Current assets Debtors Bank 9,520 79.320 12,325 141,125 Credltors Amounts falllng due wlthln one year 13,289 22.677 Net current assets 75,551 130,773 Net a55ets Charfty lund$ Unrestrlcted funds Restricted fund5 97,826 1.959 131,367 19,859 io The financlal statements were approved and authorlsed for Issue by the Mana8ement Committee on 14th September 2022 Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees Tony Aslam Ichalrl Jennlfer Dixon (VI￿ Chairl I SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACC￿1¥ll￿G P(￿QES la) General Inlom)atlon The Vlctorla Centre Is a charlty re8tsltered In the Unlted Kingdom. The address is shown on pa8e l. The nature of the charlty'5 operatlons and prlnclpal acilvttles are detalled In the Trustees, Report. The charlty cOnSt￿uteS a publk benefft ent￿Y as defined by FRSIO2. (bl B•$ls of ￿tt￿ntIng The financial statements have been prepared under the hbstorical cost convention in accordance with the Statemeni of Recommend￿ Prdctiee 'Ac¢ounlin8 and Reporting by Charfties" issued In 2015 IFR51021 and in Ilne with UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 2011. The charity has applied Update 8ulletln l as publlshed In February 2016 and does not Include a cashflow statement on thè 8round5 that it15 apP￿ing FRS1021A. 1¢) IncomlNd Resourc•s Donatlons •nd le8ades Donatlons, le8acles and grants that provlde core fundlng or are of è general nature a￿ re¢o8nlsed where there Is entitlement, certalnty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient rellablllty. Interest Is brought Into account on a recefvable basls. Inwm• from Ch•rlt*lePAtMtl•s Income from char￿able Act*iities Includes Income rece￿ed under contract or where entltkment to 8rant funding Is subject to specifK performance conditions and is recognised as earned. Grant Income In thls cate80ry provldes fundln8 to support performance artivities and is recogni5ed where ihere Is entitlement, certalnty of receipl and the amount can be measured wlth sufflclent rellablllty. Idl Expendlturn Expendrture15 recongnlsed when a Ilability is incurred. Costs of Generating Funds are those costs Incurred In attrartin8 voluntary Income. Charltable Actfvltles Includes expendmure associated with the provision of facilrtle5 and services In t Centre that relate directly to the Charitable ObjÈcts. Governance Costs Include those Incurred In the governance of the Charlty and Its assets and are primarily a550ciated with con5trtutional and statutory requirements. lel Tan8lble Fixed Assets and Oeprea All tan8lble Flxed Assets costlng more than £5rJ) are capltallsed and Induded at cost Including any Incldental expenses of acqutsltlon. DeprecSatloD1s cakulated to write d￿￿n the cost or valuatlon of all tanglble fixed assets overthe expetted useful Ip4es. Fixtures, Fttin85 & Equipment 20% reducing balan lfj Fund Pxwuntl Funds held by the Charrty are etther. Unrestrlcted generdl funds- which can be used in acconlance with the Charltable Objecls at the discretion of the MC. Desl8natedfunds- set aside bythe Trustees fOrspe¢rfitfutu￿ purposesor projects. Restrlcted funds - that can onty be used for particular restricted purpose5 Within ihe objerts of the Charty. Restrictions arise when spec[r￿d by the donor or when funds are Kalsed for particular restrlcted 2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE AcnvmES rants and fvndln 2022 2021 North Northamptonshlre CourKII IICNAI C4F- Energy Grants NorthaMptOrtshi￿ Community Foundatlon Scott Bader IDe51gnatedl DEFRA- Dayllght Cenlre IHealthy snack51 Natlonal L¢)ttery- Covkl resk Powerto Chan8e- CCLORS NNC ICNA lone Wellln8boroughl One Welllngborough Ur8ent Support {Glamlsl NNC- Restart Grant BCW (IT project) BCW (Covld recovery 8rantsl 11.326 9.970 11.326 9,970 11.326 SCI) 99,196 49,999 15,0 13,485 33,ocrf) io,oco 39.429 12,(KXI 12,(MXJ Total Grnnts and Fundin8 29.796 41,796 287N35 Other In¢om Donations Lettings12021- ￿fUnded deP￿lts) child￿re Prolert work IGlamls Hall) Covld related Income IHMRQ Other income 12,258 23.394 107.482 12,258 23,394 107,482 2,433 15661 70,788 19,216 20.884 17 889 268 Total Income 156291 29,7% 186,087 4(KI,207 REGisfERED CHARrrY NUMBER 2 15 Fl 3 EXPENDtTURE: Expendlture by Income strnam North Northamptonshire Council IIC14AI Northamptonshlre Communlty FouNlatlon Scott 8ader- Equlpment (Des￿nated) DEFRA- Daylight Cent Natlonal Lottery- C(y4ld re5wn5e Powerto Change- CCLORS One Welllngborough + Communlty Reslllence One Wellin8bomu8h Urgent support IGlamis) BCW IIW Urgent Support part 11 BCW IIT project) BCW Icovid recovery 8rnntsl NNC Restart grant CAF Fuel energy grant 12.619 12.619 11,326 6.c￿0 3,160 2,913 99.196 45.899 1,580 13.485 33,C io,c(KJ 39,429 2,587 2,587 4.ILK) 13,420 4,ILKI 13,420 12.C 12.CK*) 9,970 61,536 265,988 185,839 12,121 19.8391 120,453) 237536 257.656 9,970 47,696 13,840 185.839 1137) 1995 Non 8rant-related expenditu Less capltal expendfture 19.7021 37,994 Exp•ndltur• by type Chlldcare salarles, penslons and exper Core salarles and pensbons Employer's Natlonal Insurance Staff trainln8 and welfare Rates and u111￿￿5 Other prembses costs, Inc refurb/H & S Statlonery, prfntln& tekphone. pos¢4e Computer and IT costs Equiprnent hlre, maintenance and expensed Bank char8e5 arKI Interest pald Subscrfptlons and Ilcences Insurance Othercosts DepreCiat￿n Donations (Feed the Needl Amounts written off Custorner balances ICNA expendf(ure/Profes5ional fees Loc31 Projects (Glamls HalllWEcoGroupl 87,813 89,078 6.862 1.287 12BPJ 6,745 3,171 1,610 4,356 741 3.189 2.935 87,813 89,078 6.862 1,287 12,879 6,745 3,171 1,610 4,356 741 3,189 2,935 99,512 60,402 4.929 7.115 23,974 2,358 3,193 4,664 391 2,043 3,094 4,180 5,148 I,ocrf) 1,997 10,127 20,645 6.058 263 5.250 263 5,250 233.(Ml 233,041 254,772 Governance Accountancy. payroll. DBS. OFSTED 4,495 4,495 I37￿36 I37￿36 Z57,656 IA CENTrE REGISTERED CHARITY N MB R 2n215 THE HN 4 sfAFF cosrs Total 8ross wa8es Redundancy pay Employerfs Nl Pension costs Salaries allocated to restrScte(I fund5 171,LY37 149,747 6,980 4,929 1,634 6,862 5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSErs en 2021 Cost orvaluatlon As at 1st April 2021 Addltlons durlng year A5 at 31st March 2022 66,183 66,183 41,139 Depredatlon A5 at 1st AprS12021 Charge for the year As at 315t March 2022 45,730 45,730 40,582 Net Book Valu• As at 31st March 2021 As at 31st March 2022 6 DEBTORS 2021 Due from users and clients Prepayments 6,717 2.803 20 6,136 6.189 7 CREDITORS Trade creditors Deferred income Accruals Social securlty, wages and pension Loans 1.567 2,029 3.435 2.153 13.493 2,750 2.382 3.067 8 TRUSTEES The trustees are the members of the Management Committee. Durin8 the year. 15 members 12021, 181 Se￿ed on the committee. Expenses paid to trustees totalled £16 12021. £01. No remuneration was pald to any trustee. io vicroRIA CfPrntE RED 9 UNRESTRicfED FUNDS Balarfe at Incoml lance 31M Deslgnated Funds Scott Bader Equipment {5.LXK)I 11,8401 15,LKNJI 11.840} General Re5erve5 129,527 156,299 1189.8401 97,826 10 RESTrICTED FUNDS Scott Bader WHAGS NNC .ICNA/NCF DEFRA- Daylight Centre Power to Change- CCLORS One Welllngborough Plus CAF Fuel Energy Grant 252 252 1,707 14,326 112.6191 12.5871 14.1(Kil {13,4201 19,9701 2,087 4,1(X) 13,420 9,970 11 ANALYSIS OF NEf ASSETS 8ETWEEN FUNDS Tangible Flxed Assels Current Asset5 Current Liabilitle5 24.234 86,881 289 24,234 88,840 20,453 IS3.450 22 1,959 Si8ned: 1,1 Tony Aslam Position: Chair of Wirtoria Centre Date: iii11120Z2 li ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S QUALIFIED REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF VICTORIA CENTRE** ## **REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 278215** I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2022 which are set out on the following pages. ## **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 year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a Chartered Management Accountant. It is my responsibility to:- - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - follow procedures laid down in the general directions given under section 145(5)(b) of th 2011 Act - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 such matters. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I am pleased to report on accounts which represent a more 'normal' year for the Centre and for society in general, with only a relatively small legacy effect of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. On the face of it, the accounts look to be less healthy than for 2021 but it would be misleading to say that. Although total income of £186,095 is significantly down from £400,234 in 2021, this needs some analysis. In 2021, grant income was exceptionally high (£287,435), partly due to the availability of funding for Covid-related projects. In 2021-22, that figure is £41,796. Conversely, income generated through childcare and lettings is £130,876, compared to £70,222 in 2020-21 and donations amounted to £12,258 (2021 £2,433). Direct Covid-related income was also £20,000 less this year. Regarding expenditure, overheads are £20,120 less than 2021. There was no expenditure on Local projects this year. Total employee costs are £17,009 up on last year, although childcare wages are £11,699 lower. Rates and Utilities, £12,879, are significantly higher than 2021 (£7,115) partly due to Council tax being payable which was waived in the previous two years. Bad debts were reduced almost completely during this year. The high level of grant income in 2021 more than covered the overheads and contributed towards capital expenditure whereas in 2022 grant income covered only around 17% of total expenditure on overheads and capital and, although self-generated income was encouraging, the Centre spent more than its income, leading to a deficit for the year of £51,441. This is not necessarily worrying, due to the healthy financial position of the Centre at the start of the period. However, it is obviously not sustainable in the long term unless higher levels of grant funding can be secured, which cannot be guaranteed. It is therefore necessary to increase levels of self-generated income to ensure the future of the Centre at current spend levels. At year end, the Centre had cash reserves of £79,320 (2021 £141,125), of which, £1,959 related to balances to be spent against restricted and designated grants. The funds carried forward of £99,785 are healthy and reassuring in the short-term. During the year there were changes of managerial, administration and accounting personnel but, with the exception of some minor training requirements, I am happy that the staff, systems and procedures now in place are working well to enable efficient financial recording and reporting. I am, therefore, satisfied that these accounts represent a true and accurate reflection of the Centre's financial position. A R Business Consultancy Ltd 62 Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 6UB 1