Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
Company number: 01944186 Charity number: 293141
GROUNDWORK EAST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Company | 1 |
| Trustees’ Report | 2 – 12 |
| Independent Auditor’s Report | 13 – 16 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 17 |
| Balance Sheet | 18 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 19 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 20 - 27 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Directors, who are also Trustees | Patrick Hughes, Chair |
|---|---|
| Phillip Bibby | |
| Richard Powell | |
| Julie Smith | |
| Mark Hubbocks | |
| Lisa Goldsmith | |
| Temi Awofala | |
| Peter Duffy | |
| Ruth Thomson | |
| Elisabeth George | |
| John Chesters | |
| Julie Smith (Resigned 24 February 2025) | |
| Peter Duffy (Resigned 31 March 2025) | |
| Ruth Thomson (Resigned 6 November 2024) | |
| Kevin Jones (appointed 25 March 2025) | |
| Annabel Flint (appointed 25 March 2025) | |
| Company Registered Number | 01944186 |
| Charity Registered Number | 293141 |
| Registered Office | Mill Green, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5PE |
| Company Secretary | Mark Hubbocks |
| Chief Executive | Carolyn Reid |
| Independent Auditors | Mercer & Hole LLP, 72 London Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 |
| 1NS | |
| Bankers | National Westminster Bank Plc, 104 Fore Street, Hertford, |
| Hertfordshire, SG14 1YY | |
| Aldermore Bank Plc, 1stFloor, Block B, Western House, Lynch | |
| Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6FZ | |
| The Charity Bank Ltd, Fosse House, 182 High Street, Tonbridge, | |
| TN9 1BE | |
| CCLA Fund Managers Ltd, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria | |
| Street, London, EC4V 4ET | |
| Nationwide Building Society, Nationwide House, Pipers Way, | |
| Swindon, SN38 1NW | |
| Solicitors | Mishcon de Reya, 4 Station Square, Cambridge, CB1 2GE |
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Groundwork East (the company) for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), 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 2023).
Since the company qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Mission
Groundwork East is a registered charity (no. 293141) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 1944186). It is an independent organisation governed by a Board of Trustees and is a member of the national Federation of Groundwork Trusts.
Our mission is to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive. In order that we can achieve a ‘just transition’ to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that tackles inequality and provides a springboard for better work and healthier, happier lives we focus on delivering impact for:
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People – delivering improved prospects, increased wellbeing and more equal opportunity to choose greener ways of living
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Places – developing stronger communities, more responsible business, better social and green infrastructure
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Planet – supporting more people taking environmental action, reduce waste and carbon, and increased biodiversity.
We operate across the 6 counties of the East of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk), partnering with residents, the public and private sectors and other non-profits to deliver wide ranging projects and services.
Established in 1985 our original approach still holds true today: to respond to local needs by putting the right tools in people’s hands, engaging with all stakeholders and addressing multiple issues with the same investment.
Organisational history
The first Groundwork initiative was established in St Helens on the edge of Merseyside in 1982 as a radical experiment to bring together communities, businesses and government in a joint effort to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development in places that had become run-down and neglected.
Since then Groundwork has grown into a national network covering England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and working through partners in Scotland. The Federation of Groundwork Trusts currently comprises 17 independent trusts which collectively deliver projects and programmes to the value of around £65 million per year.
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GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Groundwork East is one of the longest established Groundwork trusts, established in 1985 as The Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust and gradually expanding to cover the whole East of England but remaining committed to local delivery through teams operating in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. In 2015 the Trust changed its legal name to Groundwork East to reflect its wider geography, however it also continues to operate under local brands.
The original vision for Groundwork – start local, put the right tools in people’s hands, engage with everyone who has a stake in a place and address as many issues as possible with the same investment – holds true today. Groundwork remains committed to changing places changing lives: practical action to build stronger communities with better local environments, to tackle climate change and combat fuel poverty, to improve skills and get people back into work, and to inspire the next generation of community champions and green leaders.
We achieve our vision by working together with passionate individuals, proactive public services and innovative parts of the private sector.
We are committed to meeting the business management standards agreed by the federation and acting in a way which is consistent with the terms of the Groundwork Membership Agreement, which prioritises good governance, consistent quality, collaboration and inclusion.
We are committed to the principles of sustainable development and the Groundwork Federation aims to halve its collective carbon footprint by 2035 and achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050.
The way we go about our work is informed by our commitment to ‘the Groundwork approach’:
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We work where there is most need and we can have most impact – prioritising our resources and building partnerships so that we can bring about lasting change.
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We listen to local voices and empower people – ensuring our work is shaped by those it is designed to benefit and strengthens community assets and infrastructure.
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We embed equity and inclusion in everything we do – addressing injustice and seeking out a diversity of viewpoints, both in the work we do and the people we employ.
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We learn from local practice to promote wider change – sharing the lessons from our work so that we can influence policy and contribute to system change.
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We are collaborative and innovative – forging strong partnerships and working with others to develop new ways of working and achieve greater impact.
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We are environmental exemplars – championing practical action to combat the climate and nature emergencies and measuring and reducing our own environmental impact.
Activities for achieving objectives
Groundwork is a federation of independent charities, called Groundwork Trusts, working under a shared federation strategy. Groundwork East benefits from the national network through the Federation’s ability to build partnerships, fundraise, raise the profile of the Groundwork movement and advocate for change/our beneficiaries with central Government.
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GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Impact
Building the capacity and resilience of communities, businesses and landscapes is vital if we are to tackle hardship, transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives. The impact data we capture helps us understand the scale and breadth of our activity and the change it brings about. We are focused on connecting people with each other, with opportunity and with nature, and always try to deliver social, economic and environmental outcomes in an integrated way, generating even greater impact in the places that need it most.
The national Groundwork federation 2028 strategy sets out to help;
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More people overcome hardship and isolation
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Build the green economy
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Those who most need it to connect with nature
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More people and places respond and adapt to climate change
Groundwork East aims to achieve the following:
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Improve health, wellbeing and confidence for individuals through nature connection
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Increase access to green sector jobs and improve people’s employability outcomes
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Improve human and environmental health across communities
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Adapt landscapes, creating accessible and sustainable green spaces
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Support the transition to Net Zero
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Raise awareness of the importance of understanding our environmental impact
Groundwork East collects a number of impact indicators each year to build a picture of activity. This information feeds into a federation-wide impact measurement framework. The information is collected under three areas of individual, community and environmental resilience which maps onto our operational themes of green communities, business and landscape. Groundwork East’s achievements in 2024/25 include:
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Delivered 135 distinct projects (2023/24 - 139);
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Delivered activities on 304 sites (2023/24 – 166);
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Supported 147 people into education, training or employment (2023/24 – 455);
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Supported 979 organisations (2023/24 – 276);
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Supported 479 businesses (2023/24 – 491);
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Helped 3,293 people to make greener choices (2023/24 – 1,969);
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Improved 16,650 m[2 ] of land (2023/24 – 81,000 m[2] );
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Identified cumulative potential savings of 12,425 tCO2e and £2,441,861 for individuals, businesses and organisations (2023/24 - 5,328 tCO2e and £668,171)
Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for public benefit
Groundwork East operates within the Objects described within the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which outline in detail the type of public benefit sought. Public benefit has been achieved in all thematic areas described within the activity review for the current year. In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
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GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Volunteers
The Trust has worked alongside 426 volunteers. This is the number of people that give their time freely to support Groundwork East’s activities as a volunteer. The Directors would like to record their thanks to the many volunteers who supported / engaged with Trust activities during the year.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Review of Activities
Groundwork East is a successful, highly regarded and mature Trust which was established in 1985. Every Groundwork Trust is rooted in the area it serves. Each Trust’s programmes and services are tailored to the needs of partners and communities in their locality. When all that local activity is added together, it becomes a major national force for change. Groundwork Hertfordshire, Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire, Groundwork Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Groundwork Essex, Groundwork Suffolk and Groundwork Norfolk are Groundwork East’s locally branded operations in those areas. The year 2024/25 once again saw the Trust's inspirational team deliver a programme of impactful, high profile projects across its operational area.
Project delivery in detail
Impact people - Improved prospects, increased wellbeing and more equal opportunity, to choose greener ways of living
Our Forward Trust programme has grown this year as we secured regular community sites on which to - deliver the sessions. This project supports ex-offenders on a 6 week training programme for people who are looking for skills in landscaping, construction, horticulture and conservation.
Small groups of learners, supervised by qualified Groundwork staff, carry out practical landscape or conservation improvement projects. The landscape improvement projects benefit the local community on a public site that is used by local residents. Work typically includes creation of raised planting beds, minor fencing and surfacing works, and clearance of vegetation and of small structures. Having regular sites provides more consistency for the Forward Trust participants supporting attendance and ensures a lasting physical impact on the sites themselves and for those that use them.
Our Green Recovery programme delivered in partnership with Huntingdon District Council continues to flourish, upskilling adults in green sector skills while also supporting nature recovery in parks and open spaces. Through this opportunity we have been able to develop projects new to the area including River Wardens and Citizen Science which will be delivered next year.
This year we developed an exciting new youth project called Rooted in Nature. The project supports young people ages 12- 18 (up to 25 with additional needs) with low level mental health issues to connect with nature and the outdoors. The project is 3 hours a week for 3 weeks and consists of outdoor activities such as mindful walks, natural art and growing activities. The aim of the programme is to support those who do not meet the thresholds of mental health services and before they reach crisis point, providing them with tools and strategies to improve their mental wellbeing and the confidence to connect with their local green spaces after the project has come to an end.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
This year we drew our youth services contract with Central Bedfordshire Council to a close after 15 amazing years to concentrate on our nature based youth projects including Uplifting Potential, Green Sparks and Rooted in Nature.
Impact place - Stronger communities, more responsible business, better social and green infrastructure, improved biodiversity
Our Memorial Park ‘Green Hub’ has continued to flourish in 2024-25. With multi-year funding confirmed – it has enabled multiple weekly volunteer growing sessions to be led for the first time, alongside regular courses aimed for all aged the protect the environment, and promote healthy living. Furthermore, it has enabled growth with home schooled groups.
The Trust’s continued relationship with Hertfordshire County Council has enabled the continued delivery of our Hertfordshire ‘Green Aiders’ programme, working with vulnerable residents across Hertfordshire (with particular focus on those awaiting discharge from hospital or at risk of readmission to hospital) and volunteers to complete one off garden clearances, to enable safety and enjoyment of green spaces once again for many residents.
The Trust has continued to grow our ‘VegFest’ programme across Cambridgeshire this year, developing growing areas for 8 schools within the St. Neots area and beginning weekly growing sessions with the students and teacher to culminate in a summer ‘VegFest’ event.
Impact planet - More people taking environmental action, reduced waste and carbon, increased biodiversity
The Trust's long-standing partnership with North Herts Council to deliver a range of exciting outside space improvement projects across the local authority continued this year.
Our Landscape team have designed play area improvements at the Baldock Recreation Ground and a new outdoor gym at Avenue Park, Baldock and play improvements at Purwell Park, Hitchin.
Two new Landscape community consultation and design projects for green space areas in Deeping St James Parish Council and Northaw & Cuffley Parish councils have been progressed.
Our Sustainable Business Services carbon management offering has continued to grow and develop during this period. In particular, we have seen growth in our independent and impartial net zero support with several new clients and repeat work for existing clients. . We have also continued to deliver environmental and certified Carbon Literacy training to SMEs,and local authorities across the region.
To further embed messages about water efficiency, Groundwork continued to work with Northumbrian Water and Waterwise to develop an accredited Water Literacy programme, modelled on experience of delivering carbon literacy training. The initiative, funded by Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, aims to help 2,000 people become ‘water literate’ through learning about water scarcity, the value of water as a resource and the link with climate change. Courses are now available to book and we supported 100 learners so far to be accredited during 24-25. See https://waterliteracy.uk/ .
Strategic objectives
The Strategic Framework 2023 – 2035 provides the context for the business plan and lays the foundations for the direction of travel. The strategic framework provides a valuable roadmap for the trust to navigate challenges, set clear objectives, and make informed decisions, delivering a lasting and positive impact on both
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
communities and nature. It enables us to undertake a systemic approach to identifying and capitalising on opportunities, ensuring alignment with long-term goals and maximizing success.
Our success and sustainability are based on our ability to deliver a range of community and environmental outcomes, whilst delivering value for money services. We recognise that this is a considerable challenge in a very competitive market with shrinking public sector funds, that to grow our reach and impact, we must focus on generating more services and diversifying our income. In doing so, we can reach more people, grow our reserves to build resilience, and ultimately be more ambitious in rising to meet the growing and interconnected societal and environmental challenges our communities face.
We recognise that the delivery of our services can have an impact on the climate crisis and we are committed to managing and reducing the emissions and wider environmental impacts arising from our own activities. Groundwork East has therefore committed to reach Net Zero before the government’s current target of 2050.
We want to be able to demonstrate that over time we have been able to shift the dial and link the work we do to delivering long term positive impact for nature and communities. In order to be able to do this we need to be a financially resilient organisation that is known and trusted in our communities for our skills, knowledge, professionalism and integrity. The trust wants to be able to effectively assess and leverage opportunities and adapt to changing market dynamics. This proactive approach will have fostered innovation, collaboration, will have driven growth and positioned the trust for long-term success/impact in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Trust set out the following organisational objectives in its Business Plans:
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Strengthening our financial position Over the next three years, we plan to increase Trust income and outturn
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Clarity of operational focus Our project delivery will be carried out by three operational teams; Communities, Business and Landscapes. Each team has determined Priority Service Areas (PSAs) for the next three years that deliver against each of our Strategic Framework goals.
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Consolidating our current income generation position An Income Generation Plan has been developed setting out key activities and areas of focus in order to achieve our income targets. This will continue to be monitored, reviewed and reported on.
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Creating an attractive place to work for our people We will review capabilities to reflect the type of workforce and culture we want to create: courageous/creative/innovative/agile/good listeners and connected to communities!
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Enhancing leadership capacity We strive to provide management and leadership training opportunities to all staff members in a management role and ensure that our organisation has the necessary capacity to lead effectively and with confidence.
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Increasing the profile of the organisation We aim to strengthen our brand reputation and promote positive reactions to our non-profit organisation. This will be measured and reported through the Communications KPIs.
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Ensuring that all of our work is evidence-based and driven by need and demand We will collect and report on impact data and embed evaluation in all of our project activity.
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Better understanding of our partnerships We will continue to build partnerships that help us more effectively reach our target audiences and increase the impact of our initiatives in the community.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
- Improving our Management Information Systems (MIS)
We continue with the transition to and enhancement of our cloud-based systems with a focus on secure and efficient management of data.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of financial activities
The result for the year is shown in the statement of financial activities on page 17 as a net deficit of £16,363. (2023/24 net deficit of £15,369). We consider this to be a satisfactory outcome driven by the decision to invest unrestricted reserves in updating our information technology platforms.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have agreed a reserves policy whereby the charity should aim to hold sufficient reserves (unrestricted funds not represented by fixed assets or designated funds held to cover future planned expenditure) to meet estimated closure costs. This is currently calculated at £450,563.
Actual total reserves were £950,393, of which £349,584 were restricted reserves not available for the general purposes of the Trust. Of the remaining £600,809 unrestricted reserves, £10,016 has been designated by the Trustees for specific purposes. The unrestricted general funds were therefore £590,793, of which £49,051 is represented by fixed assets.
The Trust’s available reserves were therefore £541,742. The Trust has remained in this stable position in recent years and any small excess or shortage in available reserves has only been short term.
The Board has reviewed the designated funds and is satisfied that they are consistent with the needs of the Trust. This policy is reviewed annually by the Board through the Finance sub-committee.
Investment Policy and Performance
The Trustee’s policy is to retain any short-term surplus funds, including designated and restricted funds, in interest-bearing bank accounts. The Trust is mindful of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit when investing outside of our core banking relationship. Investment performance was satisfactory.
Fundraising
Groundwork East has not traditionally engaged in public fundraising. During 2024/25 the Trust did not engage any external, professional fundraisers. Projects are funded through formal bids, tenders and contracts. Donations totalled £24,493 in 2024/25 which included a gift in kind of £24,000 by way of waived rent.
Funding sources
The Directors would like to thank the many organisations who have supported the Trust’s work. Groundwork East received funding for projects from Groundwork UK, other charities, local authorities, central government, private sector companies, housing associations, town and parish councils and schools throughout the East of England.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
We are thankful to all of our funders, partners and supporters that made 2024/25 so successful. A selection of these are as follows: Martin Laing Foundation, Suffolk County Council, The Belstead Ganzoni Charitable Settlement, Innovate UK, Clan Trust, Charles S French Charitable Trust, The Francis Winham Foundation, The Scarfe Charitable Trust, National Highways Social Value Fund, Huntingdonshire District Council, Rural Payments Agency Water Restoration Fund, Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council, Cambridgeshire Skills, North Hertfordshire Council, Anglian Water, Essex County Council, East Suffolk Council, Wellfield Trust, the various Community Foundations across our geography, Urban and Civic, Mills and Reeves and many others.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
As an organisation delivering in local communities but with regional / national scale and strategic stake-holder links, Groundwork is well placed for further delivery of its charitable mission. In order to respond to future opportunities Groundwork East will be required to change and improve in three ways:
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By improving our ability to evidence the impact of our work, using quantitative and qualitative data.
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• By consolidating our structures and improving our systems so that we maximise the percentage of our income spent on front-line delivery, enhancing cash-flow, maximising our development resource and building the scale and specialisms needed to provide high quality services in more communities.
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By seeking out opportunities to share services, specialisms, systems and procurement around the Groundwork Federation – both to increase income generation and increase social value creation.
Summary
2024/25 was a successful year for Groundwork East. Efforts to diversify our work are continuing to show success and we are looking forward to benefitting from Groundwork UK’s work to improve fundraising and impact measurement across the Federation.
From February 2024, the Chief Executive of Groundwork East, Carolyn Reid, has led the development of a Strategic Framework for the Trust, aligning it to the work of the Federation, setting our local priorities for the future and establishing longer term impact measurements.
Our Operational Action Plans provide clear direction for low risk, organic growth as each team is looking to build on its success to date and extend the breadth of its service offering across our region.
There is robust governance in place, and a sound framework of rules, policies and practices that guide decision-making, ensure accountability and promote transparency.
The East of England has diverse landscapes and faces environmental challenges such as coastal erosion, water scarcity and drought and, conversely, flooding. It has vibrant cities with renowned universities and technology sectors along with strong agricultural industry. However, economic disparities and social challenges persist, exasperated by the cost of living crisis. Overall, the area offers natural beauty, economic opportunities and social complexities. As such, our plans for the future are based on continuing to strengthen our relationships in the public sector, while also looking more actively for opportunities within the private sector. By exploring new avenues and collaborations, we are looking to open up opportunities to build more sustainable communities and support a just transition to Net Zero.
We have been a valued community asset since 1985 and are redoubling our efforts in 2024/25 to meet increasing needs from all sections of society.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Constitution
The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee. The company is constituted under a Memorandum of Association and is a registered charity (number 293141).
Reference and administrative details for the Charity are provided on page 1 of the financial statements.
Method of Appointment and Election of Trustees
The management of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association. Trustees are recruited by advertisement and contacts with partner organisations.
Trustees serve for a period of three years from the date of their appointment. On expiration of their term of office they will be eligible for reappointment for a further three-year term (up to a maximum of three consecutive terms) by majority decision of the remaining Trustees. If a Trustee has served three consecutive terms they must retire from office at the end of their third term of office and will only be eligible for reappointment if at least one year has elapsed since their retirement. The Trustees have the power by a 75 per cent majority of those present and entitled to vote at the meeting to extend a Trustee’s period of office (and shall in their absolute discretion decide the period of extension) and to waive the requirement for one year to elapse before a Trustee may be eligible for reappointment.
New directors are provided with structured induction training at the Trust offices. Other training needs are identified on an ongoing basis.
Professional Indemnity insurance is purchased at a cost to the charity to protect the charity and its Trustees.
All Trustees give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees' expenses are disclosed in note 10 to the accounts.
Organisational Structure and Decision Making
The Directors meet up to four times per year to review strategy and performance and to set operating plans and budgets. Two sub-committees also meet regularly to deal with functions delegated by the Board of Directors: the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee; and the Business Development sub-committee.
The day to day running of the Trust is managed by the Chief Executive, supported by the Finance Director and Operations & Development Director, who refer to the Board for guidance as and when required.
The Trust operates a salary scale. The pay of all staff is reviewed annually. The Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee agrees the terms of the review on behalf of the Board. The Chief Executive’s pay is reviewed by the Chair in liaison with a pay review committee. The pay of the other members of the Leadership Team (Finance Director, Operations & Development Director and HR Manager) is agreed by the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee following recommendations from the Chief Executive.
Employees are consulted in a variety of ways through the following structures: a Staff Consultation group, monthly one to one meetings, regular team meetings, an annual staff survey and an annual staff conference. Through these structures, consultation around Trust development and policy changes is undertaken allowing
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
all staff an active role in formulating the Trust's future. The compilation of the Trust business plans are contributed to by a wide range of staff.
Related Party Relationships
Details of related party transactions are given in note 17 in the financial statements.
Risk Management
The Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee reviews a formal risk register at each meeting as a standard agenda item. Risks are scored from 1 to 5 in terms of “likelihood” and from 1 to 5 in terms of “impact”. The two scores are then multiplied to achieve an overall score. The Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee reviews progress against agreed actions, monitors changes in internal / external circumstances and is vigilant in terms of new risks. The Chair of the sub-committee reports any significant risk issues at Board meetings. The other sub-committee and any working groups provide input on the risks relevant to them.
Risk assessment of projects takes place under the management of leadership team, led by the Operations & Development Managers. A project risk register captures project risks and mitigating actions. A formal checklist is used on site for all projects and risk assessments accompany all tenders. Projects considered to be higher risk are referred to the Leadership Team and reported to the Finance, Audit and Risk sub-committee under a standing agenda item.
The Chief Executive is expected to report to the Board on any significant new or increased risk that falls outside the parameters of these processes. The Board is satisfied that systems are in place to manage the Trust’s exposure to risk.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Trustees' responsibilities statement
The Trustees (who are also directors of Groundwork East for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure of information to auditors
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Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:
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So far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware, and
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The Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any information needed by the charitable company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report and to establish that the charitable company’s auditors are aware of that information.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 18[th] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Patrick Hughes, Chair
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GROUNDWORK EAST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Groundwork East (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities incorporating Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
-
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GROUNDWORK EAST (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditor’s Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
-
the information given in the Trustees’ Report (incorporating the directors’ report) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
-
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
-
the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the Trustees’ Report and from the requirements to prepare a Strategic Report.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GROUNDWORK EAST (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor’s Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
-
Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to breaches of GDPR and health & safety regulations, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance may have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2006.
-
We evaluated the Trustees’ incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements and the financial report (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate entries including journals to overstate income or understate expenditure, and management bias in accounting estimates.
-
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
-
discussions with management, including considerations of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
-
evaluation of the operating effectiveness of management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;
-
review correspondence with the Charity Commission for evidence of breaches; and
-
oidentifying and testing journal entries.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF GROUNDWORK EAST (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Jolene Upshall (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of
Mercer & Hole LLP 72 London Road St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 1NS
14/08/2025
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Income from Donations & Legacies 3 Charitable Activities 4 Investment Income 5 Other Income 6 Total Income Expenditure on Charitable Activities 7 Total Expenditure Net Operating Income Before Transfers Transfers Between Funds 19 Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward |
Unrestricted Fund £ 24,493 1,777,608 15,331 13,067 1,830,499 1,832,341 1,832,341 (1,842) (2,665) (4,507) 605,316 600,809 |
Restricted Funds £ - 716,407 - - 716,407 730,928 730,928 (14,521) 2,665 (11,856) 361,440 349,584 2025 |
Total Funds £ 24,493 2,494,015 15,331 13,067 2,546,906 2,563,269 2,563,269 (16,363) - (16,363) 966,756 950,393 |
2024 Total Funds £ 24,493 2,519,820 8,185 7,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,559,498 2,574,867 |
||||
| 2,574,867 | ||||
| (15,369) - |
||||
| (15,369) 982,125 |
||||
| 966,756 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
BALANCE SHEET
at 31 March 2025
| Notes £ £ Fixed assets Tangible Assets 12 398,083 Current Assets Debtors 13 601,528 Cash at bank 493,678 1,095,206 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 14 (512,897) Net Current Assets 582,309 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 980,393 Provisions for Liabilities 15 (30,000) Net Assets 950,393 Funds Unrestricted funds 600,809 Restricted funds 349,584 Total Funds 950,393 2025 |
£ £ 434,697 651,140 608,722 1,259,862 (702,804) 557,058 991,756 (25,000) 966,756 605,316 361,440 966,756 2024 |
£ £ 434,697 651,140 608,722 1,259,862 (702,804) 557,058 991,756 (25,000) 966,756 605,316 361,440 966,756 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 991,756 | ||
| (25,000) | ||
| 966,756 | ||
| 605,316 361,440 |
||
| 966,756 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 18th July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Patrick Hughes - Chair of Trustees
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Cash flows from operating activities Cash (used in)/generated by operating activities 17 (133,059) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (133,059) Cash flows from investing activities Investment income received 15,331 Proceeds from the sale of tangible fixed assets 11,985 Purchase of tangible fixed assets (9,301) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 18,015 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period (115,044) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 608,722 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 493,678 2025 |
65,023 65,023 8,185 2,000 (66,090) (55,905) 9,118 599,604 608,722 2024 |
65,023 65,023 8,185 2,000 (66,090) (55,905) 9,118 599,604 608,722 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,118 599,604 |
||
| 608,722 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1. Statutory Information
Groundwork East is a private company limited by guarantee. The charity's registered company number, registered charity number, registered office and the nature of its activities can be found in the Trustees Report.
The presentation currency of the financial statements is Pounds Sterling (£). The level of rounding in the accounts is to the nearest pound.
2. Accounting policies
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2023)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
No critical accounting judgements have been made in the process of applying the accounting policies below.
There are no key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Future forecasts and business plans have been considered in coming to this conclusion.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the company is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the company has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the company, or the company is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Donated services or facilities are recognised when the company has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the company of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the Trustees' Report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the company which is the amount the company would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Project funding which is received in the form of grants is recognised as restricted income in the period in which it is received, unless it is subject to conditions in which case it is deferred until the conditions are met.
Project funding which is received in the form of contracts is recognised as unrestricted income. Where contract income has been received but the related services have not been performed by the year end, the balance is carried forward as deferred income.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
2. Accounting policies - continued
Tangible fixed assets
All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: estimated useful life.
| Leasehold building: | over the term of the lease |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicles | 25.0% straight line |
| Fixtures and fittings | 20.0% straight line |
| Computer equipment | 33.3% straight line |
Fixed Asset Investments
Investments are stated at fair value at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations throughout the year. All gains and losses are calculated at the difference between the market value at the balance sheet date and the opening market value ( or purchase value if the date is later).
Taxation
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010. It therefore meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
Fund Accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Debtors and creditors
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
Pensions
The charity operates to a defined contribution pension plan on behalf of all qualifying staff to Groundwork Easts Aegon pension scheme. The pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those if the charity in an independently administered fund.
| 3. Donations & Legacies Donations |
Unrestricted Funds £ 24,493 |
Restricted Funds £ - 2025 |
Total Funds £ 24,493 |
2024 Total Funds £ £ 24,493 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Donations include a gift in kind of £24,000 (2024 - £24,000) by way of rent waived during the year.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 4. Income from Charitable Activities Central Government Local Authorities Education and Skills Funding Agency Charitable Trusts and Foundations Private Sector Housing Associations Groundwork UK National Lottery Grants and Contracts 5. Investment Income Bank interest receivable 6. Other Income Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets Sundry income 7. Charitable Activities Costs Direct project expenses Project delivery staff cost Support & Governance |
Unrestricted Funds £ 20,493 1,139,009 67,764 110,036 199,407 3,000 237,899 - 1,777,608 Unrestricted Funds £ 15,331 Unrestricted Funds £ 11,985 1,082 13,067 |
Restricted Funds £ 7,500 298,574 9,942 133,992 34,863 - 231,536 716,407 Restricted Funds £ - Restricted Funds £ - - - 2025 2025 2025 |
Total Funds £ 27,993 1,437,583 77,706 244,028 234,270 3,000 469,435 - 2,494,015 Total Funds £ 15,331 Total Funds £ 11,985 1,082 13,067 2025 Total Funds £ 401,457 1,386,260 775,552 2,563,269 |
2024 Total Funds £ 198,484 1,355,872 104,221 234,167 225,289 15,055 381,012 5,720 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,519,820 | ||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 8,185 |
||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 2,000 5,000 |
||||
| 7,000 | ||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 287,914 1,254,466 1,032,487 |
||||
| 2,574,867 |
In 2025 the expenditure on charitable activities was £2,563,269 (2024: £2,574,867) of which £1,832,341 (2024: £1,943,989) was expenditure from unrestricted funds and £730,928 (2024: £630,878) was expenditure from restricted funds.
The notes form part of these financial statements Page 22
Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 8. Support Costs Rent and rates Communications IT expenses Training and recruitment Marketing, publicity and advertising Sundries Insurances Motor vehicle costs and mileage Professional fees Board Expenses Wages and salaries National Insurnace Pension Cost Depreciation 9. Auditor's Remuneration Auditor's Remuneration |
Support office costs £ 72,141 10,670 127,802 24,013 16,511 61,026 35,404 20,356 63,064 - 257,549 22,642 14,431 29,924 755,533 Unrestricted Funds £ 9,180 |
Governance costs £ - - - - - - - - 9,180 1,344 8,300 730 465 - 20,019 Restricted Funds £ - 2025 2025 |
Total £ 72,141 10,670 127,802 24,013 16,511 61,026 35,404 20,356 72,244 1,344 265,849 23,372 14,896 29,924 775,552 Total Funds £ 9,180 |
2024 Total £ 90,682 10,070 77,644 26,334 13,894 63,873 30,380 25,610 64,370 1,077 526,075 40,420 29,480 32,578 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,032,487 | ||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 9,000 |
10. Trustees' remuneration and benefits
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) receieved any remuneration during 2025 or 2024.
During the year ending 31 March 2025 2 trustees received £ 676 in reimbursemenet of expenses (2023 2 trusteees received £283 reimbursement of expenses).
The notes form part of these financial statements Page 23
Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 11. Staff costs Wages and Salaries Social security costs Pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the period was as follows: 51 The average monthly full time equivalent (FTE) during the period was as follows: Charitable Activities Support and governance |
2025 1,444,219 126,965 80,925 1,652,109 2025 36 7 43 |
2024 1,571,706 120,760 88,075 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,780,541 | ||
| 2024 38 8 |
||
| 46 |
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Chief Executive, FInance Director and Operations & Development Director. The total employment benefits including employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions of key management personnel were £ 170,291 (2023 £235,687).
Employees with emoluments (emoluments include salaries and taxable benefits, but not employer pension costs) over £60,000 were as follows:
| follows: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £60,001 | - £70,000 | 1 | - |
| £70,001 | - £80,000 | - | - |
| £80,001 | - £90,000 | 1 | 1 |
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those if the charity in an independently administered fund. The pensions cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £80,925 (2024 - £88,075). Contributions totalling £ 11,735 (2024 £12,585) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
12. Tangible fixed assets
| 12. Tangible fixed assets | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation and impairment At 1 April 2024 Depreciation charge for year on disposals At 31 April 2025 Net book Value At 1 April 2025 At 1 April 2024 |
Land and buildings £ 372,297 - - 372,297 21,274 10,637 - 31,911 340,386 351,023 |
Motor Vehicles £ 166,821 - (39,646) 127,175 132,980 15,122 (39,646) 108,456 18,719 33,841 |
Furniture, fittings and equipment £ 146,570 9,301 (2,384) 153,487 96,737 19,631 (1,859) 114,509 38,978 49,833 |
2025 685,688 9,301 (42,030) 652,959 250,991 45,390 (41,505) 254,876 398,083 434,697 |
2024 645,221 66,090 (25,623) |
| 685,688 225,666 50,946 (25,621) |
|||||
| 250,991 434,697 |
|||||
| 419,555 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
13. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
| 13. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade Debtors Other debtors and prepayments Accrued income 14. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Other taxation and social security Deferred income Other Creditors Accruals Deferred income: project income Defered income at 1 April 2024 Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previos years Deferred income at 31 March 2025 15. Provisions Provisions |
2025 342,378 88,154 170,996 601,528 2025 101,657 168,388 179,665 18,083 45,104 512,897 2025 280,336 179,665 (280,336) 179,665 2025 30,000 |
2024 485,052 50,902 115,186 |
| 651,140 | ||
| 2024 153,247 210,253 280,336 - 58,968 |
||
| 702,804 | ||
| 2024 336,858 280,336 (336,858) |
||
| 280,336 | ||
| 2024 25,000 |
A lease is held by Thames Water Utilities Limited and Groundwork East for the land and premises at Mill Green Sewage Treatment Works. A Condition of the lease is that the site must be returned to its original state at the end of the lease, therefore a provision is in place for the costs of the works required.
16. Operating Lease Commitments
2025 2024
At 31 March 2025 the total of the Charity’s future minimum lease payments under non cancellable operating leases was:
| Amounts payable: Within 1 year |
8,253 | 4,227 |
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements Page 25
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GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
17. Reconciliation of Net Movement in Funds to Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities
| 17. Reconciliation of Net Movement in Funds to Net Cash Flow From Operating Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Net income / (expenditure) for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustment for: Depreciation Charges Interest on investments (Profit) on sale of tangible fixed assets (Increase)/ Decrease in debtors Increase/ (Decrease) in creditors Increase/ (Decrease) in provisions Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities |
2025 (16,363) 45,915 (15,331) (11,985) 49,612 (189,907) 5,000 (133,059) |
2024 (15,369) 50,946 (8,185) (2,000) (49,463) 89,094 - |
| 65,023 |
18. Related party disclosures
Some of the Directors of the Trust are also Directors of other companies, trustees of other organisations, employees of other companies or members of Local Authorities with which the Trust has material transactions. However, none of these Directors has a controlling interest or a material beneficial interest in these entities. In the Directors' opinion therefore, they do not fall within the definition of related parties given in the Charities SORP (FRS102) and no separate disclosure of the transactions between the Trust and these entities, which were carried out under normal commercial terms, is required. If one of these Directors has a significant influence in these entities, then transactions between the Trust and these entities are disclosed.
The Trust is related to Groundwork UK, a national umbrella organisation. During the year, Groundwork East received £482,003 (2024 £381,012) from Groundwork UK as funding for projects and paid £1,610 (2024 – £12,546) to Groundwork UK in membership fees and shared email services. As at 31 March 2025, £79,234 was due from Groundwork UK, included in trade debtors (31 March 2024 - £48,993).
19. Movements in funds - current year
| 19. Movements in funds - current year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designated Fund - Carbon Reduction General Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Hatfield building Projects Total Restricted Funds Total of funds |
Opening balance £ 13,197 592,119 605,316 361,439 - 361,440 966,756 |
Income £ - 1,830,499 1,830,499 716,407 716,407 2,546,906 |
Expenses £ (3,181) (1,829,160) (1,832,341) (14,520) (716,407) (730,927) (2,563,268) |
Transfers £ - (2,665) (2,665) 2,665 - 2,665 - |
Closing balance £ 10,016 590,793 |
| 600,809 | |||||
| 349,584 - |
|||||
| 349,584 | |||||
| 950,393 |
The designated fund for carbon reduction represents amounts set aside by the Trustees to explore initiatives for the charity to reduce its carbon footprint. During 2022/23, EV Chargers and Solar Panels were purchased for total of £ 15,900. The EV Charges and Solar panels are being depreciated at 20% straight-line over 5 years.
The restricted fund for the Hatfield building represents funds received as grants for the construction of a new building at Mill Green, Hatfield. The building is being depreciated at straight line over 35 years.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 26
Docusign Envelope ID: 0113A9A1-4286-400A-BB73-D08ABB9D758E
GROUNDWORK EAST (company number 01944186)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
- Movements in funds - prior year
| 20. Movements in funds - prior year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designated Fund - Carbon Reduction General Funds Total Unrestricted Funds New building Projects Total Restricted Funds Total of funds |
Opening balance £ 15,900 579,662 595,562 386,563 - 386,563 982,125 |
Income £ - 1,948,392 1,948,392 - 611,103 611,103 2,559,495 |
Expenses £ (2,703) (1,941,285) (1,943,988) (25,123) (605,753) (630,876) (2,574,864) |
Transfers £ - 5,350 5,350 - (5,350) (5,350) - |
Closing balance £ 13,197 592,119 |
| 605,316 | |||||
| 361,440 - |
|||||
| 361,440 | |||||
| 966,756 |
The designated fund for carbon reduction represents amounts set aside by the Trustees to explore initiatives for the charity to reduce its carbon footprint. During 2022/23, EV Chargers and Solar Panels were purchased for total of £ 15,900. The EV Charges and Solar panels are being depreciated at 20% straight-line over 5 years.
The restricted fund for the new building represents funds received as grants for the construction of a new building at Mill Green, Hatfield. The building is being depreciated at straight line over 35 years. Additionally, during the year further clearance costs were identified and charged to the reserve of £9,459.
The notes form part of these financial statements Page 27