R•gl•t•r•d numb•r: 01240377 Charlty number: 504913 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlt6d by guarant88) TRUSTEES. REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlt•d by guaranlo•l CONTENTS Page R•f•r•n¢• and admlnlstratlv• d•tallA of tho Trust, Its Tru8tee8 and advl••r• Chalrfs r•port Truit••8' r•port Truste•$' rngpon•lbSlltlo5 statom•nt Ind•p•nd•nt audltors, r•port on th• flnan¢lal •l•tom•nts 8tat•mont of flnanclal actlvltl•¥ 3-14 15 16-20 21-22 Balanc• sh••t 23-24 8talom•nl of ci*h flo 25 Not•s to thfr flnanclal alat8mant• 28-52 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A Company Ilmltad by guarant•èl REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE TRUST, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Tru•tO•• MrKJBEtty Mr5 T U 8oye$ (appoinlod 6 Saptèmber 2023, re8lgned 12 Aprll 20241 Mrs E Campbo11 Igppolnled 1 Auuusi 2024) Mr A Cook (appointed 8 August 20241 Mr S J Halchman Dr L M Lofts (appolntgd 9 November 2023, re$lgned 16 July 20241 Mrs T A Newton-Blows lappolnled 7 November 20241 Mrs S M Slmp90n Mr M A Smllh Ireslgned 30 December 2024) Mr C J Steabler Iroslgnod 5 Fobruary 2024> Mrs S Wood Mrs Rachel Zobklw (appolntod 14 Auou8t 20241 Company R•gl$t?r•d Numb•r 01240377 Charlty Roglst•r•d Nurnb•r 504913 R•glolorod Offl¢• Toynlan Hall Main Ro8d Toynton All Saints Spilsby LlneolnshSrè PE23 SAE Ind•pend•nt Audltor• Stro9ts Audlt LLP Chartered A¢¢ountants & Statutory Audltor Tower House Lucy Tower Street Llncoln LN1 1XW Bankern Lloyds Bank plc High Street Llnculn LNa'lAP Sollcltor• Brldgo MGFarland LLP 9 Cornmarket Louth Llncolnshir8 LN119PY Inv•itmont Advl$•rs Ich: Investmanl management Ilmilad 1 Hènlèy W8y Doddlngton Road Un¢oln LN6 3QR Page 1 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmltod by guarant•o) CHAIR'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 The Chair pr•sonl8 their 8lal¥monl for lh8 y•ar. Thé yéAr 20211k4 saw Llnkage Communlty TfU$t dovolop Its naw Corp(JrAle SlrMIMgy 'Nolhlng About You Wlthout YtsLI 2023-28, olongsld9 Its oiigulny cornmllrnenl to provldlng Indlvlduals wllh lèamln(a dlsAblllilè&, dUtl¥m or both, qu¥lity •duG81ion, care an¢J 8UPPOrt In onabllng thèm lo Ècliieve lurlher Indppendence. The Trust roTriolng focusod on Ils vlslon Ih8t p•opl# wllh learning disHbililie$. aull$m or both hAVQ OPPQrtunS11•¥ and Gholre and are supported lo achbovo thiir ¥plralion$ and 118 mis3ioiI lu provlde porson-c8nlred 8orvlc88 that enablo IndlvldualÈ to dk)v¥lup Ili*i lik1115 and behaviours to1Sv8 Ind•pend•nl IIv•6. In a chaNonging •nvlrorinionl, LSnkJgo rernalnB In a 80und financlel poalllon and Échlèvèd 8 gu¢¢e$sful flnaneiel rogult In the poilod, thank8 lo conllnued ¢ontrol of ¢OSls and •fflden¢y gain5. Tho Trujl'g Ro8id•nlial Car• pruvlJlDn 8•rv•8 160 Indlvlduals. A furthor 107 Indlvldual&, ÈUPPOrt4d through Ihr Cgmmunity Support S8rvSca, Ilvo In th6 communlty In èiiher Ihoir own properts'gs or thiough Linkage'8 own partn•r8hip with Platlorm IE)u&lny 8n¢ Local Houslng A¥¥ocialion8. In c>ur Lllolong Loamlng Dlroetorato, our CeJll&gè 4xw Ihe niimber of places grow lo 221, ond our Llnkog4 ChulrJe8 day sarvlca ¢.'onlinues lo thrive. 11 offprod o orowing rong0 of oppoiluiilli&s, wllh ov¥r (580 d8yS' aCtl¥Atl&s offered por w8ak. W ro10￿10d our Llnkago Chuic• dwy gerthco In Llncoln to Woavor Road, offorln9 fuilhgr fa¢:ililie¥ and opportunities 10 tho p•opI• w8 SLlPPOrt, Wts also furthor d&vèlLJp¥rl i)ur Llnkpge Choloej provision in E8at Riding. The Tru¥l'4 flv•.y•ai DlgSlallg11111)n Plgn. 18unch8d In 2019, conllnuod 81 pac8 and durlng thè yoar w4 inlroduceej 4 dlgltal care plannlng system callod Nourlsh, a nèw finariLéI 5y51em, I payroll 5yStgm end continuod lo improvo our r•portlng thrr2ugli our bu¥ine5¥ inlelligen¢e plettorm via the u80 of Pow4r 81. W* h&v• conilnuod lo delSvor #fflcl•ncy Ihrouqli tho deployment of our $1811 Ilirough the 8l*ctronlc tfme and atténdanc8 and rota syslom Planday, removin9 adminislr8tiv burden Irom M8nag8r6 and staff and hèlpln9 UÈ 10 dAploy r?soiir¢¢s most effeclvely. Followlng tho gucco88ful bid IL) lh• Nallonal Lottery Horllage Fund for tho E503k dovolopmenl $189¥ of • new project fof SU8lalnabl8 and Incluslv• fulufts for tho Waè15by Hall Esl?te, we carried out pmergency roof ropair8. In Addlllon, w $ucr8sNfully 4ippoinled a team lo develop our plons lurth8r an(1 Bcliltrv¥d plunnSng permljslon lor th8 noxt stago ol Ili¥ project, A 8ubsoqu6ni appllcg154)n w¥¥ made lo tho National Lottery Herlt#go Fund for £3.$ mllllon wlilGh w45 gu¢cesgfully award•d In Soplombor 2024. Thla logothar wllh owlr £1.5 mlllion ol mHlch funding will onablo u8 to dgvolop th4 HNII Snto training friciIIIy, sensory inlogr8tion centro Dnd ropurp080 th• courtyArd Inlo c8r• provl8lon for th08e by¢lh moro ¢omiil¥x behaviours and noodi. A kay for.u5 ol Ihe y¢Br wa¥ on fundraising, with a numbgr of sigiilficAnl 8w4id¥ bein9 r•celv#d Snduding £165,000 for new 80n80ry oulr88cl) v#h5cl* •n8bllny u8 to lake our tsorvlco$ and roaeh out lo thosè wli(y ne¥ii u@ mo51, £250,000 of match fundlng towards our Wo8lsby Htill H¥dlag¥ Fund ProJecl ind £225,000 of fundlno Irom th• LCC Innovauon Fund, Iow41rd$ improved recruilmenl and retention across th8 Iiu81. Throuohout tho yoar wè havo also workgd wllh Ihe Blueberry Acedemy lo look el how wg could work lagutlier le •xpand Illy 6prviGps Llnkpge offer 8cros8 tho Yorkohlro ￿910￿ 8m I1gllghi•d lo report that they joinèd OUT Group shoftty ufler year and In Ociob•r 2024. Very ¥¥dly, our dgdlc8led Ch81r, M&rk Srnlth, un4XPéCl#dly p8y8•d a*8y In Docember 2024. Mark was g hlghly vylupd Tru81•8 4ppolnled ab Chalr In May 2021. Llko all our Trust¢8s, he oytrgm¥ly generou8 wtth hls tlm• on a volun18ry basls. Plls onlhu818¥lsc ¥upporf and pasaion for Linkago wlll bo grootly mi889d. Flnally. I muffl pay Irlbutè lo tho skllls and dodlcallon of 4tAff, In (gAp*r.1411y trylng UmeB, who havo c8rod for IhoAè sup and havo maiie all of LlnkBge'3 ochievomenls po88iblo in th• pAsl yéar. S M Slmpson Cholr Dalo= 25 March 2025 Pago 2 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A cornpany Ilmltgd by gu•rantoal TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGU8T 2024 Tho Trusloos Pfesont Iheir annual report together wllh the audlted flnanclal statements of the Trust for the year 1 September 2023 10 31 August 2024. The Tru5toes conflrm that tho Annual F4oport Ind financiAI statomonts ol the company comply with the GU￿ent 51atulory requirements, tho roqulromonts of tho TTusl'8 governing docum8nt and th8 provisions of the Statement of Recommended Pr8Ctice ISQRPI, 8ppllcable to charities proparlng their accounts In accordance wilh the Financial Reporting Slandard appllcable Ir) Ihe UK and republlc of Iroland IFRS 102}. STRUCTURE The Trust Is both a company Ilmlted by guarantoo as doflnod by tho Companlos kt 2006 and a rogl3tored ¢harlty. Its governlng do¢Liment Is the Artl¢les of Asso¢latlon adopted on 1 May 2019. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIE8 Alm• and ObJ•ctlv•8 The objects of th8 Tru81 are set out In tho Articlos of Association, Moro spocifically, the Trust provldes spociali81 further education, r88identi81 care and community support, 8dull skills 8nd o r8nge of omploym13nl 8orvico8 which, 18ken togelh8r, ar8 int8nd6d lo enable people with learning difficultie5 and other disabilits88 to r8ali58 Ihulr lull polenllal dchlev8 Ind8P8ndence. Ther8 ha8 b88n no 8ub8lanllv8 chang8 in t118 ch8rilab18 obl8LI durln9 the perlod under revlew. Slgnlfl¢ant ktlvlllo8 Durlng the year, the Trust operated., cullegv Li*mpu5Vb in Toyiilon, Grimsby, LlnGoln and Beverley In Ihg East Ridlng,, and resldenlial @nd day care servlces based In Toynton, Scremby, Skegness, Louth, Grlmsby, Alford, Lincoln and M8blethDrpe. It a180 operated from more Ihan 30 'sotellite8' (re8ldentlg1 core homgj, ¥tudent residences, workshops, caf08 etc) 8IIu8ted in Ea8t Llndsey, North East Lincoln8hire 8nd the city of Llncoln. R•lat•d Partl•o Llnkage Tradlng Llmltad 1$ a company1Smllgd by guarantee 98labllsh8d to provSde 8 v8hlele for the eondu¢l ol commerclal aolfvltlos that support, promote or oih8rwls8 enhance Ihe alms and oblectlvey of th8 Tru¥l. Llnkage Tradlng Llmited Is governed by tts own bogr(l of dirg¢tors, although by deed of ¢ovonAnl d81ed 30 March 2001, the whole of the annual surplus of Linkage Tradlng Limlted, If any, 15 to be p8ld to the Trust. An option deed dated 30 March 2001 exis15 wlivreby al any timv LSnkaue Communlty Trusl has the rlght lo acquin> Ihe asset& and undertakings of Llnk8ge TradSng Limlled. 3trat•gl¢ Focu• Our slralégy Nolhing 8boul you wlthout you" was launched In 2023 and outllnes how we wlll achleve our vision that people wlth learnlng disabi11118s, aullsm or both havè opportunitles and cholce and ar8 SLlPPOrt8d to achl8V8 thelr asplratlons. 11 seeks to bulld on our achi¥vom8nls whilst also making the mosl of new opportuiiities und 1oamlng$. Throughout our 2023-28 $lrale9y Perlod we wlll conilnue lo work acroyts gr8aler Llncolnshlre and East Ridlng lo achleve our vlslon by dellvoriDg person centred servlces that enable indlvlduals to devalop tha $klll8 and behavlours lo Ilve Independent Ilves. Our fnain PT(orllie$ Ihroughoul 2023-28 are- Impact - Increase th@ Smpacl that our stsrvlLes have on the people we supporl, Capaclty- Incroose c4Jpo¢ity to dalivar high-qu8llly 88rvic88. Su•talnablllty - Ensure Ihe long-torm 8UStain8bilily by socurSng the Bupport wo noed to kgep us strong, and taking steps to ensuré our envlronments, aclSvitles and organlsation are fit for tho future, Growth- Grow the Lharliy tu iiiL'r&a¥& number ol p80ple wha accèss our seNi¢es. Page 3 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A ¢ompany Ilmlt•d by guirant¢o1 TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Tho plan sets out the Trusl vSslon'. 'People with learnlng dlfflcultSes and disebllllles have opportunltles and cholce and are supported to achieve thèlr asplratlons.. The Tru¥t'¥ mlsslon.. 'To provido person cenlred servlces that enable Indlvlduals to develop Skills and behaviours to Ilve Ind8p8ndant liveB. Th8 Tru81 will do thiy by developing a culturo that 8rnbed8 a "nolhlng about you wlthout you" Jpproa¢h lo shaplng servlces and models of d8llvory wllh Input from the p8opI8 It supports. W• ￿11 contlnue tn hold oursolvos accountgtylè lor our progress In achlevlng our full prlorllles through Inlgrrial monltorlng and quarterly reportlng to our 8oar(t ot TNStees, as w81185 through the publlGalion ol an annual report. ACHIEVEMENT8 AND PERFORMANCE The following peges highllght some of our rnojor 8chlovomonls ond ch811ongo8 during 2023124, In developlng our 8lralegy and aCCnmpan￿n9 prtivity plan8 and in producing tho Annual rgport and accoun18 th8 tru8t888 hav8 givon duo con8idoration to thfr Charlty Commissions for England and Wales published guideline8 on th8 publlc benefit rgquiremont und8r tho Charitl8s Act 2011 as well as the work carri8d out by Linkagè is consislenl with the charitable purpo888 as Idenbfied in the Charilivs Act 2011. ac What Wa 8•ld w• would do We wanttg help people reaGh thelr own polentlal and be able to Ilve the best Ilves posslble. To do Ihls we wlll.. develop a culture that embeds 8 "nothing about ycu wllhout you" approEch across all our services. mprove the Lunbi¥lency of our pr6Ctices to ensure all 18aching18 effectiV8, that loarning outcome8 are the best they can be ond that aptivo support onabling individuols lo ochiove their a8pirallons. improvo tho hoallh sjnd wellbeing of the people we 8UPPOrt and our colleagues. bgcom8 a19oming organSsatlon. Incre888 the opportunlll88 for acc888ing purpo8elul activili88 and 8mployni¥nl. build 8ff8clive partnérships. What w• dld thls yoar In 2023124 Llnkago staff dellvered over 400,000 hours of Support to people Ilvlng In our resldentlal c8re, 5UPPOrted livlng and communlly seNlces aiid successfully Ir8n8ltioned seven people we support from an allernatlve provlder Sn July 2024. We oxp8nd8d our Iifolong loarnlng provlslon offgrlng 221 places to young people In our educatlon provlslon and provldod avor 680 days of Support to peop18 attendlng our d8y OPPOrtuni118S. W8 d8v81op8d our systems and proeèsses ulllSslng Power Bl to Infom our quallty and pra¢t1¢8 process88 wFth réal limè SnformAlion for laarnlng DLltcomes. Thls ènablod us to provlde as$uran¢o ol consistonl complignce with re9ulalory requlrémonts, to undorstsjnd l$suo¥ b¢foro thcy bocomo probl¢ms and lo proa¢tlv8ly develop 89 an or9anisallon through shared learnlrsg. We inlroduced a new coillinu0u￿ impruv8monl plunnlng prOLts￿ acr05y 8118ervi￿I￿. Page 4 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRU8T (A Gompany Ilmlted by guar8nto8) TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Wo contlnu?d tha fole out ol Nourlsh, our digital caro solution, providlng colleagu8$ will) up-It>d8la infomalion In rel81ion to indivlduRls thal are supported Including changes of needs, We complel8d a revised education data da8hboard for Trusloe8 Incorporatlng tho foodback rocoivod from Of818d In June 2023. Wo cornpl8t8d a r8vl8w of our Planday ro8tèrlng sy818m usag8 in prep8r8llon for lh8 impl8mentallon of an 8gll8 worklng sy8t8m 31mpl￿Ing codlng Btructures and r8tralnlng manager8. Our new ¢llnl¢al team e$t8bli6hed a clear referral pathway that allow$ lor prompt support to servlcos. Wo rdled out our posltlve behavlours support tralnlng and actlvé support traSnlng across o(Ir geNlces to dellver the best oulcumes for individuals, WE improved the oulGomes lor people who usè our servl¢es, have In¢re8sed WQTklorce knowledge and fesillence und 5rriprvved rebponses tv escalauons of beliavlours of concern reducing ri¥k and placement breokdown. Wo ¢Jovolop8d our poople wilh livfjd expgrienco to work olongsido our quality team to Inspect and undortak audit8 of our 8ervic88. We have ullli88d feedb8ck feceived from comploint8 and from poront caror forum8 to shap8 and lead 8ctivit￿6 in Linkag8 Choices. We have conllnu8d lo rn3ke 8lf8cilvo partn8rships with our cor8 8lrai8gie partn8rs Lincolnshir8, North East Lln¢olnshlre and East Rldlng and have been workSng closely wlth tho North East Llncolnshlro ICB to share opportunltiès and good praetleA. We became Marks & Spèn¢erfs Grfmsby's Charlty Partner of the Year galnlng Ihelr support to ralse awareness of our Weelsby Hall Project an¢J crgatino opportunllle5 for people wllh learnlng tjlsabilllles, autl¥m or both lo ral$e valuable funds for the charS1y. What ￿ 8ald w• would do Wt) want lo bts r¥Loynised ut> 8 gr¥ai place lo work wlih opporlunlll8s for colleagues lo learn 8nd grow and dev8lop lo m881 th8 ¢hanglng needs ol the p8ople who usé our sèrvieés. To do th18 wè wlll: rprwit more poople from a dlvor$o rango of communliios and glv6 them the bèst support 80 that Ihay slay wllh us longer and we all work together effedively as one Linka9e toam. develop a hlghly skllled aglle and Ilexlble work force with a focu5 on Ilfelong leamlng. deploy Ouf resources using a hub und syuk¥s model lo enable niore elficienl rola planning, aligned to efflclenl models for different types Ènd complexilies o156rvlce5 using leaner and Improved syslems and pro¢e8Sg8. uIIIis8 volunteers. dedication, passion, gnthu8188m, oxpgrionco 8nd doslre lo mako a dlfferonca lo Increa88 the scale and $cop8 of what W8 do. Wh•t w• dld Ihl• y•ar We recrulled and developed over 163 members of $laff. Our ¢omprehenslve Inducllon ond tr4lnlng pro¢ey$ enabled 32Yo ol applicable new staff to complete the Care Certlflcale and thgir1gvqI 2 qualification 4°h worklng iowdrd¥ Ilie 8ward. We h8ve succe￿s[u11Y increased the dlverslly of our workforce and Increased the number of male staff who provlde front Ilne Support from 20.93Q/o in 2022 10 22.581J/o in 2023. We have further developed the current induction proco8s88 to not only ensur8 that new 8mploy8as arfi able to sèllle an(J becomè effective tè8m members wlthin three months of joinlng but they have recolved competence based asts89sni¥nl prlor tu proballun sign orf. Page 5 LINKAOE COMMUNIry TRUST IA company Ilmltod by guarantso) TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Wg h?vg Utilijed digital compliance da8ttbo8rd8 ensuring all 8toff a11gn¢J 8 blgnd of 0-10amlng and faco lo face training increasing attendance and cr88ting Irackable KPI'8. 97Yo of all stsff have achieved mandatory trainlng, up Irom 72°h in 2023124 W8 hav& further d&v8loped our proposal for the d8valopm8nt of W8018by Hall lo becom8 8 comm8rcSal tralnlng centre, Wo furthor dovelopod our starter leaver process to Great8 flnanclal controls around now po•ts developed. We Introduced a new payroll sy9tem Staffology lo enable us the capa¢lty and the 116xiblllty to undertake second scheme In the year. We developed un aglle worklng project cnnsulling with staff regarding their pay periods, allgnlng these In rata pattsrns, incfeaslng mobilily and 0sts)bli8hing cloor links be￿0￿n commi88ioned hours and deployment to IMpraV￿ nur financial ViFJhility. We have 88tabli8hed a r18k and 88labllslim8nl proc888 wh8re we 81ign comm188ioned 8UPPOrt hour8 arid ylulf availability acro88 88ch area to 6118ble u8 to tsr9tt1 recruitment and r8t8nllon 8cllvltl08 wh8r8 il 18 n88d8d most. Through grant fundln9 of £222,000 from Llncoln8hlr& County Coundl Home Care Innovailon fund lo support an Increas8 Sn capaclty staff r•lentlon and rocrultmont. roduction In the usa of agency 8laff and a varlety ol workforce related Inlt1211v¢$, w? 8X¢J¢Ut•d a rae.rultm•nt cgmpalgn almed at xttractlng and rota5nlng dedS¢aiod support workers In the AlfordlLoulhlMablethorpelLlnGoln areas lo dellver addltlonal CSL servl¢es In Ihe ommunlty. We also Introduced a gol¢Yen handshake programme, a recrultmenl campaign leveraglng the use of our sensory bus and Linkage anib85sadors, individual¥ we support. We have increased the perLentsge ol commlssloned hours dellvered by over 5% In both Resldertll81 Care and In Communlty Supported Living services. Our Friends of WoFJI?by H811 Group hove grown and their work focusing on history and fundraising for our Weelsby Hall Prolect conllrsuftd wilb great dedicalSon, passlon and enthuslasm. Our volunteers h08ted the National Lollery Heritage Day and provided guided tour8 to th8 88tate wlh ovèr 400 people attendino. Wè have eonllnu8d lo ullllse work èxperS8nc8 OPPOrtunllles from local unSversltSes, hSgh8r educallon insiliutos and schools In¢ludlng BSshop GroB$ot8Ste Unlvorsity, 'fho Unlvor$lty of Llncoln. and Ea51 Rlding Collngo and has succosstully based on thelr posltlve oxperlenco r8crullod Indlvlduals upon graduallon Into th8 Llnkage workforce, What wo wor• nol ablo to achl•v• Llnkage wore unBble to deliver 80me of tts planned activllies for 2023124 due to limiled cBp8cily. We had la priorlliso projocls throughout tho yogr lo ensure that We 8re besl mguting the noads of tho pooplo who use our 88rvic8. Th8 devélopment of 8 workforce pl8n Ihat Addressed both futur8 and currént né8d8 was pl8nn8d lor thlj year bul was 8g¥ln d81ay8d. OUT proleGI to rgvlgw our poll¢19s and refresh and allgn them was nol fully rnmpletgd In the year and thls project rolled over lo the next flnanclal year. Page e LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmltod by guarant••) TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 What w• •ald w• would do We are worklng to 8nsur8 our long-term sustalnablllty by $8curlng the Jupport W8 need lo keep u8 strong and tsklng sl•p$ to ensure our envlronmgnls, odlvltlés and organlsallon are flt for tho futur8. We want to.. be a flnanclally strong charlty, able lo relnvest In ovr semces and to r.reala envlronm8nts wh8r8 péoplè wlth le8min9 disabilitles, auli$m or both Can flourfsh. dlverslfy and **lrengthen our Income streams by contlnulng io ansure the statulory entitlement lor people and all our costs are covered Ihfough our fees. 1ncroa.grj tho nfflcloncy of systems and processes, Inves￿ng In dlgliial syblenis SolU￿OnS and processes to enable colleague8 moro aGtIVO 8UPPOrt Ihrough invpslmgnl and technology ¥￿tern8 and work flDw3 10 support the leaner processes. enhanc8 our 8nvironmen18 80 they are energy efficient and fit for purpose. What wo dld thls yojr We have Contlnuod lo dlvor81fy and strèngthén our Incomo straarns wFth now grant and tru81 furidlng streams eslabllshed. Our key prol9cI of developlng an Incluslve and su$lalnabl• fvture for ihe translormatlon of tho Weelsby Hall Estate has resulted In us galnlng a number of new grant and tru%t fundlng Streams Includlng Irom the Nallonal Lollery Herliage Fund. The Pllgrim Trust, I list0￿G House foundatlon, Loul Authorlty UKSPF fundln9. We Inveslod In 8lrongthenlng our Fundralsing Team and 2023124 saw Llnkage SLrccessfully achleve over £1 million of re81ri¢led funding aimed ot koy development projects including The Wee15by Hall Proi¥GI, A Rapid Respon8e Pllol Programme wlth Llncolnshlre County Councll and Oulreoch $ervlces and other key project are85. We ac¢ess8d n8w fundlng str8amB such 88 acces8 to wurk funding and incrèasod our financial suslain8bility by ensurlng Ihat all people who are Btalutory enlltled to care r8c8lve approprla18 fundlng Irom local authori1168. We have Gontlnued lo enhance our envlronments and Invg$led hoavlly In the Ollver Care Horn8 In Llncoln whlch Is due for openlng in Sprlng 2025, We have continued to Invesl In dSgllal 5y51ems and solutions. We Introduced electronlr slgnlng In al all ¢ampuso.8 acr08s Linknge. We updated our Planday online r051ering ¥y¥ltsni lo vnable us to rots slaff iri ari agile way, increasing the conlldonco In th9 acr.uracy of data In 8yslem8. We svcees8fully achleved plannlng permlsslon for the red8velopmenl ol the Weelsby Hall Estate for tuming the Oa$ls E8lat8s Building into a Volunl88r Hub and lor thé dvvelopinènl of a now Small Anim81 Care C8ntre during 2025. At Mablethorpe w8 wara Successful In achlevln9 plannlng p8rm1681on for th8 r&modelllna of the 8owllng Green, Mahlgthorpg as a trainlng ¢onlro. What we wor• not ablo lo a¢hlov• Llnkag8 was unable to dollvér Some of 118 planned acllvltSeJ for 2023124 due to Ilmlled capaclty. We had to prloritl8e prolect& throughout the year lo ensure that wo ar6 be81 mealing the needs of the people who use our 88rvl¢8. We undertook a review ol eur key prop6rtiÈs and had aequlred an EPC ratlng for each of thoso propertios. Unfortunately re$our¢lng rosulted In the aGtlon plan to addr9¥6 Ihts tsntsrgy ètriciencies has not been action8d in the year, Page 7 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmllgd by gu•r4nt•o) TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUOUST 2024 What w• •ald w• would do WB want lo grow the charity and IncTeaae the number of people who acc883 our 8èrvlces. Growth 58 Important to us 86 a charity a8 It enables us to do more for mora p8oplo. It bullds up scale and when commvrclally vlabl• It protects our long-lorin 8u3l&ln8bilily. We wunt Lo grow our servSceJ so that we can dellver more thIng￿ for more P80pl8 and ba th8 'go to, provlder for young p80plo and young adults, famlll&s and cornml8slonars In our oper81ing areas across Llncolnshlre, East Rldlng, and our noighbourlng countl98. We wlll.. bulld our ropulatlon 8UPPOrtln9 People wlth198mlng dlsablllties and auusm to lead more Independonl Ilves across all the communltieg In whlch we work. reaGh oul to lamS1ies and s¢hools to Lake our service¥ where and when people need them. expand uppurluniues ari(J uhviL¥ by yroviding more 5uyporl lo day opportunities, education and ernploymont services in more localionB 80 that rnore people can acces3 thom. expond long-term living opportunitles. eSthor diroclly rjr Ihrnugh p8rtn8rs we will provide 8ccommod8tion to onablo pcoplo to livo thoir Iivos B8 thoy want. dovelop more garvice$ for young people, increose our offor to 16-17 year olds providing residontial 8ducalluri arid uccommod8tiun for thus8 tran811ioning lo adulthood and enabling Ihobe out ol artsa lo move back lo their Gommunlty, What w• dld Ihlj year Wa hav• conllnued to bulld our roputatlon b¢lng ghort Ilsled for a number of Awards Includlng ihe LINCA Roglslorod Minager ol the Year, tho Chalty Tlmgs Dlgllal Transformatlon, Property Innovallon and Supportlng Leader of the Year, As a provider of choice lor Ilie local authority we h8V8 been worklng together on jolnt projects thal wll 8ee addldonèl provlslon belng inade 8valldble. We received £187,000 of Communlty Lottory funding for our new S8nsory Bu8. We have contlnu8d to grow our 88rvic88 wlth addillonal day opporiunltie8 bbln9 mad8 avdllablu 8t Llncoln through our new Linkage Choice faeilitl88 In W88v8r Road and throughout East Rldln9 actlvltles and we have S8èn an inLrèase iii th& numb&r uf Lulltsuts duy students wlth Inc16asing levals tsf ¢omploxlty. W8 hav8 expand8d tho numbor of long-lom Ilvlng opportunitles with work commencing on the Oliver House ro$lrJonllal $grvl¢¢ whlch Is planned to open In early 2025 to Increase our capaclty In the Llncoln area and we have developed plan5 and achleved plannlng permlsslon for ihe rvd¥velvpmenl uf Abbey House fur hlgh lev818 of aculty In Grfmsby. We rocognlfy8 th81 wo aro heavlly LlncolnBhlre and North East LincolnshlT9 based and throughout 2023124 beg8n to work alongside Blueberry Acaderny to form a 8lrategic partnershlp with BIu8b8rry Academy lolning Llnkage In Aulumn 2024. What wé w•r• not abl• to aehl•v• Llnkage was unable to dolivor som? of Its planned 8CtlvllleJ for 2023124 dug to limlted capaclty, We had lo prloTilise proleGtB throughoul the ypar to ensure that we are best meellng the needg of the people who use our service. Our Liiikugts Cliuic¥¥ rvlucalion from Checkpoint Court to Weaver Ro8d, WAS del8yod until Fgbruary 2024 and We Were therefor& unablo to achievo tho lovol of growth wo oxpccled. Pago 8 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilrnltod by guarant••) TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Tru8t••g and DlrKtor• l Th• Board The TruBI Is govemod by a Board of Trustees whlch moots olghl timo8 a year on a pre-planned basls. and more frnqu8nlly11 requlrad. In addliion, the Board ha5 an annual strategy day and Trustees re¢èlve flnan¢lal (Ind other upd8tos betwoon board meellngs. Al Trustees glve thelr tlme freely. Trustées are required lo disclose all rolevxnt Interests and to wrthdraw Irom any declslons where a confllcl ol Inieresl 8dse¥. No nollce was recolvgd of any changes to the Tru$lees' Interests durSng Ihe year. The Trustees who served the trust durlng tho year are Ilsted on page 1 of Ihls report. Rocrultm•nt and Appolntm•nt ol N•w Tru•t••• Suhjoct tn the requlrements of the law and th8 Trust's Articl8s of As80ciullun. th8 BoJrd Is 8mpowerod to appoint a8 8 tru81ee any per80n wh0 18 willing 10 8Ct, either to fill a casual vacancy or by way ol an oddlllon to the TNst888, Inductlon and Tralnlng of TruBtè•8 A programmo of Inducllon and development ha$ been avallable lo all the Trustees, coverinll all the main features of the Trusl's aclivltl85 and the dutles and responslbllltles of Trustees. Iri additSon, most rneelings of tho 13oard are pre¢eded by developmenl sesslons, where presentatSons are made to Trustees on variou5 8SPOCt8 of the Trugt's a¢llvltles and on developmtnts in the envlronmont In whlch the Trust operates. Organlsatlon Structur• Rosponslb115ty for each rrFalor area of activity (Llfelong Learnlng, Car8 and Ind8pendénee and Flnance and Re80urce81 IB delegated lo what Linkage Ibul nol Corrip8ni88 Hous8} deE5cribes as a 'Dlr8clol, each of whom reports lo th8 Chi&f Executlvè. The Chl6f Ex8culSv8 and lh8 Dlreclors make up the Exocutlve Leadorshlp Team IELTI, which MPOrt8 regularty and routlnely to the Board of Tru$te88. R•munerntlon of Kéy Managom•nt P•r•onn•l The rgmunerallon of key management personnel16 revlewed on 8n annu81 basis by the Board. Wld•r Notwork• Mombornhlp Th8 Trust 1$ a full mombor of thg A880cl8llon of Colleges Iprovlding an umbr8lla for the 8ntlr8 FE séelor), the As8ociolior¢ for Real Change {providing an umbrella ov8r thé CAr& sèclorl, the 8ritryli Associdllon for Supported Employmanl, the National Associallon for Spècial Edueallunal Needs, the National Assoclatlon ol Spo¢i311gt Furth8r Education Collegtss, the National Councll ol Voluntary Or9ani$ailon$, Voluntory Organlsatlons Dlsabllity Gr¢)up and th6 Lln¢olnshlr8 and Humb8r$lde Chambor8 of Commercg. Koy Stak•hold•Y• Other org8nlsatlon8 wlth whlch the Trust works clo¥ely Include the Educatlon and Skllls Funding Aggncy, loc81 authorlly, Adult Social Care and Chlldron's Services DfrJpartmnnl8, various in8PeCtlon regim88 {8specially Olst8d 8nd th8 C8r8 auallly Commls8lonl and a number of quality assurance organi8atlons. Worklng In Partn•rshlp Bolh furmally and Informally, the Trust workg r.10%gly .pnd collHborptlvgly wlth p wlde rgnge of other service provlders, Including moinstroam and $pcGialisl FE colleges, houslng associations, local authorities, other cdr8 providprs And lo¢81 gmployets, both Indivldually and through a v8rlely of prolessiorial ritslwurks. Paoe 9 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST S lil Ilulil uf 8xpèri6nc8 Malpractice in8uranco Increased vlsibillty, Head ol Safoguardlngl Qu81ily 8ppolnted Incident reporting proc8s58 Atlas roporting of key indicators rolled out lo ald controls Alignlng services to audlt and regulatory body r8qLrlremenls; Shaplng $ervi¢es around stakaholdgr freedback and requlr8ments Seryl¢¢ Dellvery Follure Page 10 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A compgny Ilmltod by guaranteo) TRUSTEES. REPORT {CONTINUEQ) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 IT 5y9t¢ms fallufe, loss of data, c￿r3ecu￿ty attacks Rt>vlaw sy51oms requlrements Aureè updatè programme off.slto back.up8 to secure and prol8cI data Review security 8nd viru5 proleclion syBtoms Insurance cover for in5urable risks Cyber Protectlonl Insurance,. ènhanced thlrd p8rty monltoring BCP IT Di¥a$ter Recovery Plan Departmental Buslnes$ Recovery Plans Cyber Essontlals Accr8dll8llon (Plus In lutur8) ISO 27001 accredilalion in the futuro Addiuonal Human Resources resources spe¢lfl¢ally for recrultment and fr)cus on Care staff Improved induLlivn 8nd Ir8iiiirig praorar¥imts Communication (drop-ins, Communication M$ller¥, all-stalf onllne brleflngs) Flexlblg worklng where 1* pproprfate Raview 8nd d8valop Recftiitm8nt and Ret8nlion polici08 ond 5tratrJgio8 including periodic E41ay conversallons, leamlng and development plattorm and benellis pÈcka98s R8v16w of employ88 T&Cs (Aglle working) U$e of PlanD8y and Hub model to best deplay workforce Work lo ImprcJv8 fundinglefflclency to enabl Linkage lo improve pay and condition8 Botter rnarketing of employer brondlng Consistent supervlslons, 1,,1 S, appralsals, Team Mo•tlngs Enhanced Informallon in place around rf8k arid 8stobll3hment and slarterAeaveTlch8ngv proces8es Potentl&l ftnancl81 unqu8lalnBbility of the Communlty • All work related to 010. 013 & 014 whlth wlll Supported Livlno s8rvlc8 8UPPOrt ttie recrultmenl ané retenllon ol workforce to enabl8 the dellvery of contract8d CSL hours Conllnued focus on rota managemenl In all CSL 86rvicos Règular monltorlng of capaclty vs contracted hour8 VIA tho Risk and E818blishrnenl process Conunued dlscussions wlth LCC re slafflna ap4dty and polontial Impacts Agile worklorce Including Hub working lo conlinue Local managor8 managing sorvico8 lo support btsllttr Intvgrallori be￿68n CSL and Resldendal Care services Failuro to rocrult and relaln staff Pag9 11 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmfted by gu•rantoo) TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Lack of Effe¢live Systems and Processes Proces8OS and protocols pul In place and r8gsJl8rty updatod Updaled nftanca reguladons Conllnuous Improvement plans establlshed Flriance surg8rle8, audi18 8nd visits Inlomal audit proce55e3 in place Publlc B•n•fit R•portlng When r8vlewlng tho Trust's oblecilvos Jnd alms and In plannlng future actrvities. the Tru81888 conflrm th81 Ihty have complled wllh relovant logislailon and have pald du8 re9ard to quiddnc8 publls116d by 1170 Charlty COMMI￿]￿n. Tho Tni$t8es have rnfllrrod to tho guldanernj and have alm8(1 to E>urnmarltse the aLllvllle8 In thls report and to demonstrale that they havg holped furthgr tho Trusl's alms and obJ8dlv8s as delallad above. LINKAGE STAFF Major Achlav•m•nt* Thc sloff at Link8go romAin8 il¥ greRtest FJ55Ot. Their commitment to the eduL¢ltion, Lare and devvlopment of Indepandonco and wolfaro of the pooplo supportod by tho TnJ5t has remained consislenlly high. Year on year, the achievement8 of all the slaff are reflected in porjonal largfjtS ond reviewed in annual appraisals. P8rformanc8 against targets built into each seTvice'8 operatlng plan is Also monitOTQ(J routinoly and roviewod aiiriu811y. During th@ P8riod und8r r8view, lh8 Tru81'8 Care services continued lo obtain con8i8tenlly high gr8de8 Irom th8 Car8 Quallly Commlsslon and th8 Llnkage Collegè Ofsled malntained ils rating ol 'Good' wf(h outstandlng elemgnt8' In118 la31 Sn8PeCtlon. Employ•0 Involvomont and Staff D•volopm0nt The Trust's commllmgnt to Iralnlng and development 1$ consld6rab16 and seeks both to enhanc8 th8 quallly ot Its work and lo malntaln Ils envlablo market poslllon, Varfovs mean$ aro omployod to onsuro that staff al all levels and at all slte5 are Informed of and able to contribute to the developmgnt$ occvrdng ?¢ross the organisatlon. Mandatory tralnlno for Llnkaoe staff achleved 97% durfng the year, Although thefe Is no fofmBI trade union involvement o Linkagepwide consultatlon body, a staff representauve group ensures staff hovo sj voice And a8818t8 th8 Executive Leadershlp Tvam in its deLibion makin9. Throughout the year this group particularty focusgd on our new ogilo wort(ing systerns and Pfoces8e3. Dlsabl•d P•r•on8 The Trtssl'5 poll¢y Is to glve lull and falr consld8rallon to 8pplicatSuns lor 8mployYn8nt m8de by dl8abled p8rson8, havlng regard to thelr partlcular apltudes and ablllt168. Dlsabl8d employèes rec6lvè appropriate Iralnlng lo lacilltate and encourage ¢areer dBvolopmont. Employ885 who bÈcome dlsabled ar8 retalned In th8lr exlsilng posts where p0551ble or relralne¢ for $ullgble alternative posts. Tho Trust ¢onilnua$ lo use and dovolop Ils comrnllmenl to the 'lwo tlcks, dlsablllly symbol promoted by the Department for W¢rk and Penslons. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Slrat•glc Plannlng The Strategic plan whlch is updated annually by the Board covers the pgriod 2023 to 2028 Bnd focus98 on 'nothlng about you without you,. The p18n outllnos our journey for the five years and 8ets out cloarly the Trust's vl8lon, mlyslun and vdluos, and the acllon¥ the Trust wlll lake to achl&ve Its obi8cIiv89. Page 12 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST {A company Ilmlted by guarantèe) TRUSTEES. REPORT ICONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 FINANCIAL REVIEW Summary of th¢ Rè$ults for 31 Augu$t 2024 The Trust has ¢onlinu¥d lo post a posltlve operatlng surplus for the year before property revaluellons and actuarial gains of £929,34912023: £714,358) R••orv•• Pollcy The Board of Tru81oe8 has revlewed ils R8seNg$ Policy and ro-examinod the Trust'8 rgqulrarnonls for free re86rve8 Sn lighl of both lh8 pr6dominanl risks to the Trust and 118 need for working capital. In completing thi8 r8v18w Trust&8s analys8d 6xlstlng funds, a88es8ed th8 reliabllity of future Income streams, revlewed commlll8d XP8ndilur8 8nd the 8xlont lo which il ly controllabl8 and a8¥gystsd the risk, to idenlily pol8nllal Lommitm8ntJ and conilngoncles together wllh th8 IlkelShood that Ih8se rlsks wlll matertallse and glvo rfse lo new ¢ommilmonls. Th1$ a$so$$mont placod tho mlnlmum r8qulroment of freo ro$orv88 at £1.75m. As al 31 August 2024, free reseNes were £3,844,207 {2023', £3,381,413). Prlnclpal Fundlng 8our¢•s The Trusl'a principal funding source ha5 alway5 been the public pur5e-. with vdriDU5 agencies ul government lunding its oducation ond CFJra services. In recent years, Linkllge College has boen funded by o succession of national funding agencios, most recontly tho Education and Skills Funding Agoncy, bul now with docision making 8nd an important 818mont ol funding devolved lo local authorill85, Funding of LinK8ge'8 care 8eNlce8 conlinu88 lo ba d81iver8d by local authority 80cial $8rvlc8s d8partm8nls, Funds In D•llcll Th8 Trustees ar8 not aware of any funds b8lng overspent. As the balance sheet Illuslraies, Ihe Trusi has assets whl¢h ore $ulficlont to meet tho Tru$l'3 obllgatlons on a fund-by-fund basls. 8udg8tary conlrolj and monllorlng are In pla¢e to ensure Ihal funds to not go Into g deflcll posltlon. Fundralslng Actlvltles For most of 113 history, the Trust h88 beeii able to rely upon ftre Incorrie froni Its actlvltles, In recent years, however, It ha5 become Increasingly clear thel, If the Trust w15hes lo malnlaln Ihe pursull ol excellence and to benefit from opportunitles to oxploro new markets and test new 58ryices,11 wlll need lo develop e non-lee ba8od income stream. For this reason, it has 8mbarkod ijpon FJ new lundrai8ing slrAlogy. Tho stralrjgy primarily aims lo focu8 on key development projects including an Inclusive and Sustainable Future for the W8918by Hall Egtat8 an($ was suceèsslLJI in SÈplembÉ*r 2024 01 rèceiving an award of £3.5 million worth of Natlon81 lottery H8rilag8 FundSng foi the red8velopmenl of Ihe 881at8. In lolal this ￿ar the fundralslng 18am achièved over £1 milllon worth of restrictive funding focused on key proJ8cls Indudlng d8V8lopmenl of a n8w Sm811 Anini81 Car8 Servl¢e, 8 newly acqulred Sonsnry Uutroarh vohlelo and Ilbrary servlco fundlng lor key prolects Ihroughoul the year. Page 13 LINKAGE CQMMUNifY TRUST (A company Ilmltad by guaranta•l TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Inv•$tm•nt Pollcy and ObJ•ctlv•• The Tru8le88' inv88lment puwors ar8 pr88Crtb8d In tho '1'rust'8 Artlcl8s of Assoclation. The Tru8teès &re p8rmilled lo Invest any monles of the Trust not Imm•dlaloly r•qulrod for Its purpose In or upon such iiiv8sln7onts, 88curflles or prop6ty as tho management commlltee shall thlnk fit and Is allowed by18w. During th8 r8portlng porlod. tho Trusl's Investment portfollo was managed by lQngswood Group (ln associalion with JCH.. Managem9nt Servlces Llmlledl. Intornal and Exl•mal Factors The Trusteès have niade 8 full 8ssegsmenl of the Internal and external factors th81 may 8ffoct Ihfjso financial slatemenis and do not deem any factors matorlal enough to hav• an impact. Funds held ag Cu#todlan for Oth•r• Included in crodilor bolance8 is £610,77912023,, £559,783) due to 8luden18 and ru¥idenls in r08P8Ct ol monlos hold on their beh8lf Sn bank accounts in tho Trusl's ri8nie. Thltl ainoLsril Ib also Included In th8 fl9ur@ for rash al bank and in h8nd on the b818nc8 8h8tl. Approvvd by order ol the members of thg Board ol TTUgleo8 on 25 March 2025 and Signed on their b8h&lf by.. Mr8 S M Slmp8on Ch•lr Page 14 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltod by guarant••) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 The Trustèes (who are also the dlreelors of the Trust lor the purpose5 of eompany law) are responslblo for prèparing Iho TruSttr¥S' r¢Trpurt Including Ihe Strategic report and th￿ finan¢i815tstemenl$ in occordanoe with appllcable law and United Klngdom Accounllng Standard5 (Unlled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounllng Pracllce). Company law requlr85 the Trustees lo prepare flnoncSal slatemtrnls for oach finencial yoar. Under company law, tho I'rusleos must not approve tho Iln8nclal statomonls unle98 they are satisfied that they give 8 Irue and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including Ils Income and expendiluro, for that period, In prepartng these flnanci818talemenls, the Tru8t8es ar8 r8quirod lo.. 8elect sultable accounting pollcies and th8n apply Ih8m consi8lenlly', observo tho rnelhods and prlnciplos of tho Charities SORP IFFiS 1D21; make ludgments and a¢¢ounling Èsllniates that are r¥asonable aiid prudeiil,, slat8 wheth8r appllcable UK Accountlng Sland?r rds IFRS 1021 have been followed, $¢Jble¢t to any material d8parture8 di8c1088d and explained in th6 financial 8tat8m8nls', prepare tha flnancial 518lements on the golng concern basis unless it 1% InappropTlato tn pr8r4ume that the Trust wlll conllnue In business, The Trustees are rosponslble for kgoplng adequate accountlng records Ihal arg sufficlent lo show and explain the Trust's Iransa¢llons and dlsclose wllh ￿asonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and enable Ihem lo ensure Ihal (lie financial statement5 cumply with the Comp¥nies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safegueiding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of frfiud and other irregulari118$. Approved by order ol the members ol the Board of Truste&5 on 25 MeTch 2025 and 51gned on Its behalf by,. Mrg 8 M sIm￿on Chair Pag8 15 LINKAGE CQMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltod by guorantoo) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR8, REPORT TO THE MEM3ER8 OF LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST Oplnlon Wa havg audlted Ihg flnanclal gtatèments of Llnkaaè Commufilty Trusl (the 'lru>l') ftjr Ihe year ¥nd8d 31 Augu8t 2024 whlch comprlse the Slalèinenl ol finantial acknville5, the Balance sheet, the Slalement of cash flows and Ihe related notes, In¢ludlng a summary of slgnificanl accounung policies. I'ho fi'nancial roporting framework th81 has been applled in their preparalion is applicablo law and Unitcd Kingdom Accounting Standards, includlng Financial Reporting St&ndard 102 The FingnGial ReportSng Standard applicable in the UK and R8public of Iraland, (United Klngdom Genorally Accepted Accounting PractlC81, In our opinlon the ftnoncial stotomonls- give a true Dnd ft)Ir viow of tho 8t81e of the charitsble companV8 affalrs 88 8131 Augu812024 and of Its Incomlng resour¢es and appllcaiion of resources, Including 115 Income pnd expenditure for tho yoar then 8nd8d', have been properly pr8P8red In aCtt*rdance wllh un￿ed Klngdom Generally Accepted Ac¢ounllng Pf8Ctice,' and havg been prePa￿d Iii a¢cofdan¢e wllh the requiwrrien15 of the Compan105 Act 2008. B•$ls for Qplnlon W8 conducted our audll In 8¢¢ordance wllh Intematlonal Standards on Audltlng (UK) {ISA$ {UKlI and appllcablo law. Our rpsponslbllllles under those gtandards are further descrlbed In Ihe Audltor5' re5ponsibllilies for the 8udil ol the flnanclal statements seGllon of our report. We ar¥ Independent ol Ihe charllable company In occordgncg wlth the ethl¢al requlrements that ale relevant lo our audit of the )Inanci815tolements In th8 United Kingdom, Includlng the Flnancl81 Reporting Councll's Ethical Standard. and wo havc fulfllled our olh8r ethical re5ponsibiliiies in 8ccordance with the80 roquiromgnls. Wo bgliovfj th81 lh8 audit ovidonc8 we have obtalned Is sufflcionl and 8ppropriat8 lo provido o basis for our opinion. Conclu•lon* r•lallng to golng concern In audlung the tln8nclal statements, we hav8 concluded th8t the Tru819gs' usa of tho golng concgm basls of accounllng In the preparation of the rtnanci818t8toments Is appropriate, Based on Lhe work we hava p8rformed, wo hRve not ident4fi8d any mat9r181 unrArtaintigs rolgting to 8venl8 or condllions Ihol, indlvidually or collectively, rnoy cast 8ignificant doubl on the charllahle CoMpan￿S ablllly lo continue a8 a going concem for g porlod of al lea8t twelve months from when th8 financlal 81at8m8nts ar• ulhori8od ft)r188ue. Our rosponsibilltlos and the r98POn81bllitl88 of the Trust888 wllh r8spect tr) going concérn are deserlbgd In the rolovont soclions of thi3 roport. Pa98 18 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltgd by guarant••) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST ICQNTINUEDI other Infomiatlon The olher information compri5os the inform8tion includod In the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Audilor8' report thoreon, The Truste85 are rg8ponsiblo for the othor information cont8ined wilhin the Annual report. Our opinion on the flnanci81 statements does not cover tho olhor informallon and, 8xL8pI lo Ihts ext¥nl olh8rw188 expllcSlly 818l8d Iii our r8porl, we do not express any fonn of as8iiranc8 concluslon th8faDn. Our r88ponslbllity Is to read the olhor Informallon 8nd, in doing so. consider wh61h8r th8 othor Intomiatlon Is malerSally inconslslent wlth the flnanc101 statements or our knowledg8 oblalri8d In the course of tho audlt, or othorwl$e appoars to bo malorlally mlsslatod. If we Sd8ntlly such mal8rlal Incon818t8ncles or apparent materlal mlsstatements. Wg are requlred to determlno whether Ihls glves ds8 to a malerfal mlsgtatement In the flnanclal ststements themsèfves. 11, based on thè work we havo porfomiod, wo conclude thai there Is a maiertal mlsstatement of thls other Informatlon. we are requlred to raport Ihat fad. We have nothlng to report In thls regard. Oplnlon on oth•r matt¢r• pre$¢rlbgd by th• Companle$ Act 2006 In our oplnSon. ba$ed on tho work undertaken In the ¢ourse ol tho audll: the Informatlon glven In the Trustees, feporl Inrliidlng Ihe Stratpglc roport for the flnanclal yaar for whlch the financial Btsl8m8nt8 are prepared Is congislent with thtt lin8rici8181818m8nl8. tho Tru81ee8' report and the Slraleglc feport havg bagn propargd in BCCQTdance with appllcable 18gal requlrements. M•ttern on whl¢h wo are roqulr•d to roport by •x¢•ptlon In the lighl of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company an¢J It5 envlronment obtalned In the course of the audit, we have nDI idenlifled material m1551alements In tl)e Trustees, report Includlng the Slraleglc report. Wts have nolhlng lo report in respect of th6 following malters In relauon lo whlch Companles Act 2006 requlres us to roport lo you rf, in our opinion.. adoqualo accountSng rocord8 hovo not boon kopt, or rolums adequate for our Budlt have not beon rvLelved from branches not vlslted by us; Of the flnanclal statemen1$ Qre not In agregrnent wlth the accounllng record$ and retum5', or certaln dlyelosu￿s of Trustees, r8muneralion speellièd by law are not mad8', or we h8ve not received all th8 information and gxplanatlons w@ roquiro for Dur audit. Pago 17 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmlt•d by gu•r•nteo) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (CONTINUED) R•ipon$lbllltlo4 of Iru$to0• As explalned more fully in the Trustees, responslbllllles statement, the Trustees Iwho are also Iho directors of th& ¢haritable company for the purposes of compony lawl are fosponsiblg for thp preparation of tho financial slaternents and for belng galisfSed that they give 8 Iruo 8nd f8lr view, and for such Internal conlrol as th8 Trustees determino is np¢99sary to enoble thg prgparalion of financial stalemonls th818ro free from matedal iastatoment, whether duo to fraud or error. In prepirlng the financial st8temants, th9 Tru&tg08 8r8 r98pon8lble for asse88ing the charit8bl8 companls ability to continue 88 a going concern, disclosing, a8 appllcable, mall8rs r61818d lo going concèm und u8lng the going concern basis of accounting unles8 tho Trustees 8lthar inland lo Ilquld819 th8 charltable compony or to ease operations, or hav6 no roali81ic 8llern81ive bul lo do 80. Audltors. r••pon•lbilltl•• for th• audlt of lh• finanelal 8tat•m•nt• Our oblectivos ore to obtoin re88on8ble 888Ltranc0 8bout whether the flnancial stal8m8n18 as a whole are free from mAlorial mi88t8lement, wh8thor due lo tfaud or error, and to Issu8 an Audllors, r8port thal includes our opinion, R88sonable assur8nc& is a high 18v81 of assurancu, bul 18 not a guarant80 that an audli condu¢led In accordance with ISA8 (UK) will always d8t8cI a mal8rSal missldl8m8nl when It exlsts. Mlsslatemonts can arfse from fraud or 8rrur 8nd arn consid8r¥d m3t8ri81 if, Indlvldually or In th¢ aggregalo, they Could reasonably be 8XP8c18d lo Influonce Ihe economlc dfjclslons of users taken on tho bo$ls ol these flnanc141 statements. Irregularitl8s, Includlng fraud, are Sn81ances ol non-compllancfj wllh lawj and regulatlons. We deslgn proc8dLtr86 in Ilné wlih our rèsponslbSlliles, ouillned above. to daloct matèrlal mls*latements In respeth ol irr8gul¥riti83, IncludSng fraud. The e¥tent lo whlch our pro¢odures are Gapable of delecllng Irregularities. Includlng fraud Is d&l#lled bèlrjw.. Our approach to Identffwng and assesslng the Isks of m8terlal ml8Statement In respect of Irregularftsos, InGluding fraud and non-compllance wllh laws and refjulatsuns, was as followJ- ihe eng8gemenl partner en8umd that the 8ngag8m8nl teom collectively h8d th8 appropnate compèt8rice, cap8bllllies and ski1181o idontlfy ar rfJrngni8n non-campli8nce wSth applic8ble law8 and r8gulalions', we Idontiliod Ihojows and rogulations applicable to the tfust through dlscu881ons with trustées and other man8g8ment, and from our commerclal knowledoe and experSeiiLg 011118 trust dnd bOLlor In whlch it operates,, we Iocu88d on speclflL Idwts und reyul81Sunts whlch we considÈr8d may have a dlroct matorlal offect on th6 Ilnaneial sl8lemanls or ihe operatlons of the trusl, Including Ihg Companio$ Act 2006, taxation 189l$latlon, dots prolectlon, anil-bribory, omploymont, pnvlroTrmental and health and safely legislalion,. wo assAs5od the oxlonl of mmplianc¢ with the law5 and regulations Identlflod above through maklng enquiries of management and Inspecting legal correspondenLV,' and idenulled laws ano regulallons were communlcaled wllhln the dudll team regulady and the tèam remained alert to instanc88 of non-compllanc8 throughout the oudlt. We as88s8ed th8 8U8C8Ptibllity of tho Iru81'8 financial 8lat8menl8 lo mal8rial mi88ts18m8nt. Includlng obtsining an und8r8t8nding of how fraud might occur, by.. maklng enqulrles of m8na9èm6nl as lo where they ¢ons5d8red thoro wa8 SU$CPPtlblllty to tsud, Ihelr knowledge of 8cIu81, suspeGl8d and alleged froijd,. and considodng tho Intornal controls In place to mitigate rlsks of fraud and non-compllance wlth law8 and rggulotion5. Page 18 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmttad by guar8nt•èl INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST {CONTINUED) To addr995 the rlsk of fraud through managemént blas and ov8rrfde of controls. w&; pèrformed ana1￿Cal procedures lo Ideiilify any unusuol or unexpertèd relatlonshlps., lest¥d juurnal ¥nlries lo id¥nlily unusu81 transa¢tion$', vlewed a sample ol gran15 In thè year to ensure ae¢urate re¢ognlllon,' agreed a sample of fee income 85 being accurately invoiued and recognisèd., revlewed tho clFJims of Govornmcnt and local authority 5UPPOrt to deiermlne a¢¢ur8cy and ellglblllty., agreed a Sample of employee8 on the trust PFJyroll to oxislence and agreed the accuracy of their pay- assessed and reviewed the aPPToprialeness and gffoctivenos% rif Iho key systems and controls.. 118SLl88ud wh6iher judg8meni8 8nd 888umplion8 made in determining tho accounting o¥lirnatQ8 set out in No18 3 were Indicallve ol F)018nli¥l blu￿,. and Invastlgaled th8 ratFonala behlnd slgnlficant or unu8ual Ir8n88ction8. In responsg lo Ihe rlsk ol Irregularltles and non.compllance wlih laws and ragulations, wo dosigned proc8dur88 whl¢h Included, but were not Ilmlted lo,. agreeing financial statvment discloèures lo underf￿n9 supportlng do¢umentatlon; reBdlng the mlnul85 of meeting5 01 th058 charged wlih governan¢e', enquiring of management 8s lo actual and potential litigation and Llaims.. and ievlfiwing any corrospondonco with HMRC, felevant regulalors and the Irusl's legal advlsors. Th8r8 ar8 Inh8r8nl Ilmitalion8 in our audit procodures d8s¢rlbod abovo. The mare removed th@t IBw$ and r8gu18tion8 are Trom fin8ncial tran8801ion8, th8 less likely it 18 that we would becom8 oware of non-compliance. Audlllnq 518ndards also1Smll the audll proe8dure8 r8qulr8d lo id6ntify non-compliance wilh1gw8 and regulation8 to enqulry of the truste8s and other management and th8 inspèction of regulatory and18gal corr88pond8nc8, If any. male￿81 ml$$talement$ tha* arl$e due to fraud Can be harder to detoct than those that arts8 Irom error ag they may Involve dellberate concealment or Golluslon. A8 Port of an audll In accordance wlth ISAS (UK), we exeroise profes61onal judgement and malntaln professlonal sceplirjsm throughout the audll. A further descriptlon of our responsibllllies for the 8udit of the financlal stelernents Is locatsd on the FlnanGlal or re Auditors, report, Pagu 19 LINKAGE CQMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlt8d by guarant••) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBER8 OF LINKAGE COMMUNITh TRUST (CONTINUED) U•0 of our report Thls repDrt Is mode solely to the ¢harllable ¢ompanl5 member&. a3 a body, In accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Conipanles Act 2006. Our audit work bgen undertaken 80 that we might stat8 to the charllable company's members Ihose matters wo aro roqulred to slate to them In an Audllors, report and for no other PLirpose. To the lullesl Bxlent permilted bylgw, we do not 8ccopI or 8ssumo responslblllty to anyone other than ihe charitable company and Itj members, as a body, for our audlt work, lor Ihls report, or for the OPlnion5 we Iidve Ic¢rmod. Robert And•r#on IS•nlor •tatutory audltor} fur and on behalf of Str••t• Audlt LLP ChBrterfrd Accoun18ni8 & Statutory Audllor Tower Hous8 Lucy Tow8r Street Llncoln LN1 1XW Date: 0710512025 Page 20 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST {A company IlmFtad by guarant••) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES IINCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 R•i¢rlct•d lundi 2024 Unr•¥trlct•d ndj 2024 Total fund• 2024 Totol funds 2023 Not• In¢om• from: Donwllony 8iid lega¢les Charitsble aclivtti08 Other tradlng activi1188 Investments 1,046,412 31,550 20,664,670 30,749 12,333 1,077,962 20,564,670 30,749 12,333 368,605 19,Y09,164 21,812 Total Incom• 1,046,412 20,639,302 21,685.714 19,499,581 Expendltur• on.. Raising fund5 Ch8ritable activiti88 other expendllura 10 827,173 53,855 20,226,612 (88,028} 881,028 20,226,512 (88,028) 461,534 18,358,868 {78,000) 13 Tolal •xp•ndltur• 827,173 20.192,339 21.019,512 18,802.402 N•t Incomo b•foro nol oalns on Invogtmonts N8t gain8 on inve8tm8nt$ 219,239 446,963 263,147 686,202 263.147 697.179 17,179 Not {•xpendltur•l I In¢omo TranBfer8 beljvgen funds 219,239 91,966 710,110 <91,966) 929,349 714,358 23 N¢1 mov¢mant In funds bolor• other rocogn199d galnsl{lo$sexl 311,205 618,144 929,349 714,358 Othèr r•coqnlsed 9alnsl(loss•i).' Losses on revalu8llon of flxgd a55el$ Ar.lusJrlal Ilossesllgaln5 on deflned benefit pension 8chemos Derecognltlon of d¥firitrd bèn8ftt P9nslon Schomo fjurplus 14,541,891) (4,541,891) 17,000) (7.000) 40,000 29 1156,000) 1168,0001 (785,000) N•t mov•m•nt In fund• 311,205 {4,086,747) 13,775,542) 569,358 Page 21 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmttod by guaranto0) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTNITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 R•xlrlct•d fund¥ 2024 Unr••trlct•d funds 2024 Total funda 2024 rpt&l funas 2023 Nol• R•conclllatlon of fundg: Total funds bruught forward Net movement In funds 291.609 311,206 23.436,001 23,727,610 {4,086,747) 13.775,5421 23, 158,252 569,358 Total fund• carrlod forward 602,814 19,349,254 19,952,068 23,727,610 The Statem8nl ol financlal 8clivilie8 includos all gains and108888 recognl8ed in th8 y8ar. Th8 nol88 on p8988 26 10 52 lorm part of th868 flnanclal slalernent&. Paoe 22 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmlt•d by guarant••) REGISTERED NUMBER: 01240377 BALANCE SHEET A8 AT 31 AUGUST 2024 2024 2023 Not• Flxod a89•t• Tanglble assets 17 16,346,119 21,322,117 16,346,119 21,322.117 Currnnt assets Debtors Inv88tm8n18 Cash al bank and In hand 19 20 2,856,251 2,656,687 1,412,134 2,451,254 2,393,540 861.285 6,925,072 5, 706,079 Cr8ditors: amounts tslling du8 Wlthin on8 year 21 (3,069,123) (2.4t 7.239) Net eurront ai*• 3,855,949 3,288,840 Total a80•ts l••• ¢urr•nt114bSlltl•i 20,202,068 24,810,957 CredStor$: amounts falllng due after more than one yaar 22 (250,000) (883.347) Net a8••t• oxcludlng pen•lon a•••t 19,952,068 23,727,670 Total not •S•Ot• 19,952,068 23,727,610 Pagè 23 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmliod by guarantge) REGISTERED NUMBER.. 01240377 BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024 2024 Not• Charlty fund• Restrieied fund unro8liicled ￿ndS 23 602,814 291.609 Doslgnaled funds General funds Rovaluation reservo 23 23 1qg,310 18,403,414 826,530 126,960 17,940,620 5,368,421 Total unrostrfctod funds 23 19,349.254 23,436,001 Total funds 19,952,088 23.727,610 The Trustees acknowledge their re$pon$ibllitlo8 for complyng wilh tha r8quirem8nl8 ol the Act wmh re$p¢Gt Io accounllng records and prapargtion of flnancial slat8ment8. Thg IlnBnclal slatgments wer8 approved and aulhoris8d for Issu8 by Ihg Trustoos on 25 March 2025 and slgned on thoir behalf by., Mrs S M Slmpson Ch•lr The notes on pag88 26 10 52 form part of thube Ilnanclal $tAt•monts. G•n•ral fund• analy•l• 2024 2023 Amoltnts Inv8slad Sn Land and Buildings Loan8 S8cur8d on Prop8riy Froe Ra$¢rva• 14,809,207 15,575,886 (250,0001 {1,016,679J 3,844,207 3,381,413 18,403,414 17.940,620 P8ge 24 LINKAGE COMMUNifff TRUST IA Company Ilmltèd by gu8ranteel STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDE0 31 AUGUST 2024 2024 2023 Ca•h Ilow• from op•ratlng ac*lvltlo• Net cash gener8ted Irom I (used In) operallng aotlvltlès 1,407,376 (646, 831) C••h flow• from Inv•stlng aetlvlti Purchase of tanglble flxed assets (89,848) (890,OJ6) N•t cash usod In Invostlng actlvltle• 189,848) (890,056J Cash flow• from flnan¢lng a¢llvlll*• R8paymenls of borrowing (766,679) (1J3,332) N•1 ¢a8h usod In Iln•n¢lng actlvltlos 1766,679) (733,332) Ch•ng• In ca8h and cash •qulv•l•ntg In th• y••r Cash and caNh Équlvalonts at thè boglnnlng of the yeAr 550,849 (7,669,219) 861,286 2,530,504 Cash and cash oqulvalonts at tho ond of th• yoar 1,412,134 861,285 Th8 notes on pag•s 26 to 52 form part of Ihese flnan¢lal slatemenls Page 25 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA company Ilmltod by gu•rantMI NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 G•n•ral Informatlon The Trust Is a charllablo company Ilmltod by guarantee Incurporatfjd In England gnd Wale8. Th@ mombors of tho company are the Trustees named on p8ge 1, In the event of the Trust being wound up. tho liobillty in rogpecl of the guarantee is limited to £1 p6r m8mb8r of tho Trust. The Trust'8 reg181ered offiL818 Tuynlun Hall, Maln Ro¥d, Tuynlon All Salnts, Spll¥by. Llncolnshlre, PE23 5AE. Accountlng pollcl•• 2.1 Ba•18 of pmparatlon of flnanclal stat•m•nt8 Thé flnan&81 slalem8nts hav8 beèn prepared In accordance wlth th8 Chorftl8s SORP IFRS 102) - Accounllng and R8POrtlng by Charltlo8= StAtomonl of Rorommondod PrActlco appllcFJble to charllies praparlng iholr accounts In <1ccordance with the Flnanclal Reportlng St8ndard appllcable In the UK and Ropubllc of Irel81istJd, 8re comblned and yhown In th8 headlng 'GaIn￿(lO$s¢S) on Invèstm8nis' in lh8 Sialement of Flnanclal Acilvlties. 2.9 C••h •t bank and In hand Cash at bank and In hand represent6 8mounls held In current bank accounts and pelty cash bal81)ce8. Page 28 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A ¢ompany Ilmltad by guarantè¢l NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Accountlng pollcl•g {contlnu•d) 2.10 Llabllltl•s and provl•5on• Li8blli118S are rocognis8d when Iher8 15 an obligatlon at th8 Balanc8 Bh88t date as a r8BuIt of a past event, 11 is probabl8 th31 s Ifansler of aconomlr. banejfll wlll ba roquirnd In seltlrjmonl, and the amount of the settloment can b• 8Stlmot9d rellably. Llabllltles are recognlsed at Iha amount that the Tru91 antl¢lpales11 wlll pay to settle the debt or the amount11 hag recelved a$ advanced paymentg for the goods or servlces it musl provide. Provlsions a￿ mBasured at the best trstlmale of the amounts required to settle the obligAllon. Where Ihe effect of the Ilme value of money Ss rnatorial, tho provision Is bas8d on tho prasonl v8lu8 of tho88 amounts, discountod 01 tho pre-tax discount rale that relloc18 the ri8k8 8pecilic to the li8bilily. Tha unwinding of the di8c,oiJnl is recogni8ed in the Statement of financial activities as a flnanc8 C081. 2.11 Flnan¢lal In•trum•nt• The Trust only has Nnanclal ass8ts and flnanclal liabllltleq ot a klnd thal qualrfy a8 ba*le. flnandal Instrumants. Baslc flnanclal Instrumonts ar8 Inltlally re¢ognlsed al Iransadlon value and subsoquonlly moasured at thelr $ett18mènt value wlth the ex¢eptlon ol bank loans which are sub$equgnlly measured at amortlsed ¢ost uslng the effe¢tlve Interpsl method, 2.12 Op•ratlng loa$•• Rentals pald under operallng ltrèses are chargad to the StBtement of flnancial advitlgs on a 8tralght Ilne basis over the18ase lorm. 2.13 P•nolon• Thé TTUSI opèr8lo)8 a dtsfin8d cunlribution p8nslon scheme and the penglon charge rapre8ent$ the amounts payable by tha Trust to the fund In respact of the year. The Tru$1 nper4les p deff ned beneffts penslon scheme and the pen51on Gharge15 based ori d full aduarlal valuallon dated 31 August 2024. 2.14 Fund accountlng G8n8ral funds ar8 unroBtrlctgd funds which aro Avall8bl8 for u88 at the di8crelion of tho Tru81888 In further8nce of the general obl8cllv88 of the Tru8t and which have not b8en d88ignal8d for other purpo808, Designated funds comprise unrestr5cted funds that have beèn sol asldo by tho Trustees for particular purposes. Tho aim and ot oaGh designalod fundls sel out In the notes lo the financSal stalemontg. Reslrfcted funds are funds whlcll are lo be used In accordance wllh speclflc re8trlcllDn8 lrnposod by donor5 or whlch hav8 been raised by the Tnjst for porticular purposes. The costs of raising and odmlnislorlng such funds aro charged ag8ln81 the speclfic fund. The alm and use of each restrlct8d fund18 S8t out In the not88 to the financlal 8lat8m8nts, Invèstment Incomè, uaSnA and losses are allocated lo the appropdale fund. Page 29 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltod by guarant••) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2014 Crltlcal accountlng •8tlmal•• and ar•a8 of]udgm•nt Esllmates and judgment$ are contlnualty evaluated and are bas8d on hl$lorf¢al experlence and other f?¢tor¥. Including expecldtlons of fuiure evenl$ that are belleved to be reasonable under the Clfcumslanceg. Crlllcal 8ccoiJnting e8tim8tg8 and 884umplinns- The Trust m8k88 88llmate8 and assumptions conceming the future. The re8ulling acGounting estimat88 and 88sumplion8 wlll. by d8finition, Seldom 8qU81 the related actual ro8uIt8, The estimates and asjumplions that have 8 JigniliLJnl ri¥k uf Cau￿Ing 8 fT)alerial adju¥lmtsnl lo Ihe Car￿n9 amoun18 01 as88ts and Ilablllllos wlthln the next flnandal year aro dlscuss8d below: Tanglblg flxed assÈils are recognlsdd at cost or vAluatlon, Ioss accumulated dapreclallon and 1* ny impalrments. Dopreclallon takes plac8 over the estlmaled useful Ilfe, down to th& as68$5ed resldu81 value. The carrying amount of Ihe Trust's tlxety assets Is tested a9 $0on as ¢h?nged condltlons show that a need fur impdlriTierit has arlsen. The recov6rBbillty of trade debtors and aSSDcialed provi5ioninll is considered on e regular basls. When Calculallng the dobtor provision, the Trustees review th8 age of thg debt5 dnd th¥ flnancld poblliun of Its eervice u$er8, The present value of the dofined benelil liabllity depends on a numbor of factors thot oro dnlnrmined on an 8cluarlal b8818 Using a v8ri8ty of as8umptson8. The a88umplions used in detemiining the net C08t I 1Sncom8) for p8nsions includè th8 discount rate. Any changes in thes8 a88umption8. whlch are di8c1088d n not¢ 28, wlll Impact Ihtt carrying amuunt ol the ptsnslon liubillly, In¢om• from don•llon$ and l•g•GI•• R••trlct•d Unr••lrlct•d lund• lund• 2024 2024 Total fund¥ 2024 Tol•l fvnds 2023 Donatlons Grants 4,388 1,042,026 31,550 35,936 1,042,026 49,735 318,870 1,046.412 31,550 1,077,962 368,605 Total 2023 324,191 44,414 368,605 Pago 30 LINKAGE CQMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltod by guarant••l NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 AnBly81• of grants 2024 2023 Naliondl Lottery Herltage Fund - Wèelsby Hall Project Llnc8 County Councll- CSL Innovalion Fund Education & Skills Funding Ag8ncy Funding Blo Lottèry Fund Historic House5 Foundallon Linc8 Colinty Councll - Digital Care Planning Systgm Tolkbon l-rust Ea¥1 Riding of Yorkshlre Councll Dlgltal Care Plannlng System Education & Trairsing Found8tion Pllgrlm Trust Other 279,927 222,076 212,793 58,376 60,000 46,600 45,000 30,609 25,400 25,000 46.245 t47,457 37,818 50,000 88,595 1,042,026 317,870 Incom• from ¢harllabl• octlvltl•8 Unr••lrlct•d eundj 2D24 Total fundA 2024 Iijnds 2023 Educallon and Linkago Cholces Car8 Employment Corporate and CafL+¥ 6,365,203 6,366,203 6,333,560 13,628,380 13,628,380 12,228.039 201.709 201,709 135,834 369,378 369,378 417,7Jl 20,564.670 20,564.870 19,109, 164 T?1412023 19,109,164 79,109,164 Page 31 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlted by quarant••l NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT8 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Analy41s of Incom• from ch*rltalJlo •CtlYltle$ by cat•gory 2Q24 202.9 Edu¢atlon and Llnkag¢ Cholc•• F8eB R8celvabla 6,230,926 6,175,554 6.230,926 6. 775,564 Cor• Fees Recelvable oth8r Income 12,939,110 11,478.798 689,170 749,241 13,628,280 12.228,039 Employm¢nt F88$ Rec8lv8bl8 201,709 135,834 201,709 135, 834 Corporato and Caf• Tralnlng Outlet Income Other Incomo 159.680 209,698 139,629 272, 102 369.378 411,731 Page 32 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST IA Gompany Ilmlted by guaranto01 NOTES TQ THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Incom• from oth•r trndlng actlvltl•• Incom• from lundr•l•lng ovents R••irlct•d Unr•#trlet•d fund lund• 2D24 2Q24 Total fund 2024 funa¥ 2023 Income from Fundralsing 30,749 30,749 21,812 Total 2023 902 20,910 21,812 Inv•$tm•nt In¢om• Unr•strlct•d fund¥ Z024 Total fundy 2024 roral fund¥ 023 Bank Inlgrè$t 12,333 12,333 10. Exp•ndllurn on ral$lng funds Exp•ndlture of voluntary Incomo R••trlct•d fund• 2024 Total lund• 202 Total lund3 2023 Other Costs Pa￿011 C08ts 804,130 23,043 804,130 23,043 274,052 136,847 827.173 827,173 470,899 Tol•l 2023 410,899 410.899 Page 33 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltad by guaranle•) NOTE8 TO THE FINANCIAL 8TATEMENT8 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 10. Exp•ndltur• on ral•lng funds Icontlnu•d) FundralAlng •xponso8 Unr••lrlct•d lund# 2024 Tot•1 fund8 2024 Tof•l fijnds 2023 Olher Fundrai81ng C08t8 Fundralslng Salartes Fundralslng Nallonal Insurance Fundrai8ing Pon8ion 12.935 38,475 3,449 Y9b 12,935 36,475 3.449 996 12,766 33,892 3.007 970 53,855 53,855 50, 635 TolTrs12023 50,635 50,635 11. Analy$l$ of expendltur• on eharllable ictlvlllel summary by lund typ• Unr••trl¢l•d lund• 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 EduGatlon and Llnkage CholGes Care Eniploym8nl Corpor8le and Cafe8 6,360,295 6,360,295 5,975,386 13.211,109 13,211,109 11,799.649 409,36?. 409,362 ?.32,102 245,746 245,746 411,751 20,226,512 20,226,512 18.358,868 Total 2023 18,358,868 18,358,868 Page 34 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlted by guaranto0) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 12. Analysls of •xp•ndltur¢ by a¢tlvltla• A¢tlYltl•• und•vt•k•n dlr•ctly 2024 eorpor&l• ov•rh•ad Allocallon 2024 Total fund8 2024 To141 funds 2023 EducAlion and Linkage Choice3 Care 5,486,177 874,118 6,360,295 5,915,386 11,070,417 2,140,892 13,211,109 11,799,649 379,OQ6 30.JS6 409,362 232.102 3.290,912 13,045.166) 245,746 411,731 Employment Corporate and Cofes 20,226,512 20,226,512 18,358,868 Total 2023 18,358,868 18, 358,868 Analy¥l$ of dlract costs Educ•tlon and LSnkag• Cholc•8 2024 Corpor•t• And Caf•s 2024 rot•l fund8 2024 Tolal lund8 2023 Carg Employm•nl 2024 2024 Staff Costs Other Dlracl Cos1$ 4.527,315 9,024,754 353,358 1,9.$7,878 15,883,103 13,250,530 958.862 2.045,683 25,650 1.333,234 4,383,409 5,108.338 5,486,177 11,070,417 379,008 3,290,912 20,226,312 18,351J,868 Total 2023 5,048,8.95 10,126,622 213,517 2,969, 894 18,958,868 Pago 35 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmllod by gu•ranto0) NOTE8 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 13. OihoT •xp•ndltur• Unrestrlcted lund• 2024 Totsl lundi 2024 Tolol fundj 2023 Properly Profit on Disposal Ponsion Scheme- Inlere8t on Li8bilitig8 Penslon Sch8me- Inter881 on A88ei8 155,028} (S5.0281 (141,0001 1141,0001 108,000 108,000 99,000 (117,000) {88,028) {88,0281 (18,000) Tolel 2023 (18,000) (18,000) 14. Audltors, remuneratlon 2024 2023 Fees payable to the Trust's audltor and Its a860clates for Iho audll of Iho Trust'b arinuiil accvuilts 13,000 13,000 Fe68 p8yable io th8 Tw8t'8 8udltor 8nd it8 &880clat88 in r88pect of,. All non-audll servlces not Inc.luded above 4,750 4,000 Fees pay8ble lo the Tru¥t'¥ 8udltor and its associates In connecllon with the Tru51'5 Penslon scheme(sl In respect of,. The audlilng of accounts of the schem813} 2,875 2, 750 Pago 36 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A Company Ilmlted by guarantèè} NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 15. Staff co•t8 2024 2023 Wagès and salaries Social security co815 Contrlbutlon to daflnad contrlbutlon p8n81on Jchemes 14,514,944 f2,169,502 1,059,037 937,431 353,085 318.313 15,927,006 13.425,246 Wages and salarles Includ8s total 8x.grall8, noUc8 and r8dundancy paymen18 of £13,500 (2023.. £29,425). The average number of pergons employed by the TNst durlng the year was as follows: 2024 No. 2023 No. Education and Adull Skills (Link8ge Choicgs) Cara Corporate Servlces Bank Staff 213 128 362 60 319 66 84 682 616 The number of employees whose employee ben8fl18 (excludlno employer penslon cosLsl exceeded £80,000 wa&: 2024 No. 2023 In th• bond £60,001 - £70.000 In tl)e band £70,001- £80,000 In the band £110,001- £120.OOQ Thè kèy managemènt Personnel of the Trust ar8 conslder8d to be th8 8enlor18adership 18am. Th8 total amount of employee b8neflts1Sncludlnp employer penslon and nallon81 Insurance contributlonsl ftjcelved by key management personnel for iheir sorvlces to th8 Trust was £390,52512023.' £380,000). 18. Tfu•t•e•' remunoratlon and exp•n••• Durtng tho yoor, no Trustoos rocolvod any romuneratlon or other bonefils (2023 - £NIL). During the yèar 8nded 31 Augug12024, expen888 lolalling £60 were roimbur8ed or paid dlrectly to 1 Trui>lee12023.. £110). Expènsès pald lo Truslè8s related to thè r8lmbur8emènt of mlleage. Page 37 LINKAGE COMMUNI￿ TRUST (A company Ilmtt•d by gu•rant••l NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 17. Tanglbl• flxed ••Mt• Lo•¥ohold Fr••hold and lrnprov•m•nt L*J$4hold •nd Mov•abl• Prop•rty Byllding• Motor Flxturns and Flttlngty Tot•1 Cofjt or valuatlon Al 1 September 2023 Addllions DIsp08als Rev8luallons 20,949,690 23,708 {390,000) (4,541,8911 217,233 831,938 2.543.719 24.542.480 66,142 89,848 (74,4131 12,305,856) {2,770,2691 {4,541,891) At 31 August 2024 18,041,405 217,2Y3 823,667 237,863 17,320,168 D•pT•clatlon Al 1 September 2023 Charge for the yoar On disposals 5,283 84,340 33,213 645,310 2,485,430 3,220,363 69,506 32,910 135,629 174,4141 12.302.240) (2,381,943) 15,2831 At 31 August 2024 117,553 840,402 218,094 974,049 N•t book valu• At 31 August 2024 16,041,405 99,680 183,265 21,769 1fj,346,119 At J1 Aiigiivt 2023 2n,.944,307 132,893 t86,628 58,289 21,322.117 Propert18s are revalued on a discrolionFJry b8sls. Valuations have been carried out lo revalue properties on a mark8t value basis, The valuations wera undertaken by 8Uitably que1￿led Independent valuer5. The Trust ha$ adopl¢d p poli¢y of rovaluation for langlble flxed assets, Had these 888èt8 been m88sur8d at hlstoric ¢06t, the G9rr￿n9 value$ would have bÈon as follows.. 2024 2023 Freehold property 1 $,380,079 15, 746,373 Page 38 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltgd by gu•ranto0) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 18. Flx•d ais•t Inv•Btm•rtl• Th8 Trust dooms Llnkago Tiadlng Ltd a sub8ldS8ry undertaklng due lo Iho Lonlrol 11 exerts uv8r the company, The r8$ulls for the subsldlary aro nol consolldatcd on the grounds of Immat8rSalSty. 19. D•btor• 2024 Duè wlthln on• yèar TrNde debtors Amounts ow8d by group undgrt8king8 Other debtors Prepawnenls and accrued Income 1.673,853 1,264,622 14,286 107,458 1,064,988 108.198 1.074,200 2,856,251 2.451,254 Trade dobtor8 8rg St8ted aftor provisiona for bad dobts Bnd credit note5 01 £523,985 (2023- £179,889). 20. Curr•nt a88•t Inv•8tm•nti 2024 2023 Inv88tm8nl portfol50 2,656,687 2,393.540 Durlng th8 yedr, Ihts eliang8 St) thè markét value of the inve8tm8nt portrollo r88ullod In a galn of £263,147 {2023.- galn of £17,179). Pago 39 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltèd by guarantse) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 21. Cr•dltor•: Amounts falllng du• wlthln on• y•ar 2024 2023 Bank loans Trade credltors Othar tRxotlrsn and swial security Sludenl and rosidenl mon183 held Other credltors Accruals and deferred Income 133,332 342,429 270,350 559, 783 598,008 513,337 632,661 265,362 610,779 446,625 1,113,496 3,060,123 2.417,239 2024 2023 Dpforrod Incomo 81 1 Soptombor R88ourL¥8 delerr¥d durlng lh¥ yoar Amounts ￿leased from prgvlous perlods 235,542 f235,542} 785,622 951.113 197,922 (913,493) Deferr•d Income at 31 Augusl 785,622 235,542 Incomo for 58rvice8 Is now billed in advonce rather th8n in arroarg, hencg the Incr8809 in d8lerr8d income. Pogo 40 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST {A company Ilmlted by guttront•o1 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT8 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 22. Cr•dltors'. Amount• falllng du• aft•r mor• than on• y•ar 2024 2023 Bank loan8 Other loans 633,347 250,000 260,000 250,000 883,347 Inclu¢Jed within the abovg aro amountB14lling duo 99 lollows- 2024 2023 Between one and two y•af45 Bank loans 733,332 Botw••n two •nd fiv• yoarn Bank loan8 399,996 Ovtrr fTVO yeors Bank loan8 Oth8r loans 100,019 250,000 250,000 Tho ag9rogato amount of Ilabllliles payable or repayablo wholly or In part more than five year8 aftor tho raportlng dal819'. 2024 2023 Payabl¥ or repayable by Insialinents Payable or repay8ble other than by Inslalmgnts 100,019 250,000 250,000 250,000 350,019 Dudng lh¢ year Ihg bank loan$ fully ropald. In thè prior year bank loans ware sfjcured by legal harges over four freehold propertles owned by th¢ Trus1 wllh 8 total n¢t book vgluo of £4.535,000, The lotsl bank loan balance of £766,679 was 17 /0 01 the property value based on the moyt recont valuatlons dl the lime. Tho othor loan 18 80curod by a l&go1 rharge over one freehold property owned by the Trust which hp8 8 nel book value of f.275.000 (2023- f.275,009I. The loan balance is 911012023.. 91 /ol of Ihe valve of the Bècurily h81d. Page 41 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmltod by gu4r•nt•o1 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AiIGUST 2024 23. Stat•m?nt ol fund8 statemont of funds - curront yèar Bal•nc• at 1 S•p¢èmbor 2023 Tran¥hrn Inlout Galn¥l Bilan¢• 4131 ILo•••81 Auguit 2024 Incom• exp•ndltur• Unr•8lrlct•d Fund• D•$lgnatod Funds Digitalls81Son R8sorvo 126,960 108.627 1116.2771 119.310 Gonoral Fund8 Free R8serves 3,381,413 20,530,675 (20,109,062) (221,908) 14,559,207 263,147 3,844.207 14.559.207 Property Fund Rovaluatlcn ResgNe Penslon Reserve 5,368,421 14,541,891) 828,530 33,000 130,000 (103,0001 23.309.041 20,530,676 {20,076.062) 191,9801 (4,441,744) 19,229,944 Total Unre•trlct•d Funds 23.436.001 20.639,302 120,192,339) (91,9681 (4,441,744) 19,349,254 Page 42 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlt•d by guaranteo) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 23. Stat•m•nt of fund• Icontlnu•dl Restrl¢t•d Funds ESFA Malnl8nance Lln¢s CC- CSL Innovauon Trust F.SFA Bur8ary Funding NAtlrJnal Lottery He￿lage Fund - Weelsby Hall Proje¢t Tolkien Trursl Big Lollery Fund 152,028 144,507 {31,520) 265,015 222,078 (61,427 160,649 48,683 46,880 (74,611) 20.962 279,927 45,000 (269,4271 (35,078) 10,500 9.922 3,933 4,646 58.376 ¢80,739) (30,596) 18.430 25,951 Karten Trust Education & Training Foundation Hlslorlc Houses Foundatlon Llncs County Cuunrll - DigilBI Care Planning s￿leM Ea81 Rldlng 01 Yorkjhlre Councll Dlgltal cpro Plonning System Pllgrtm Trust Olhar Re&lricled Funds Fixed Assets Aquirnd 25,400 12S,4001 50,000 (50,000) 46,600 {46,6001 30,609 25,400 130,6091 {25,4001 82.320 71.637 (66.768) 88,191 47,585 47,585 291,609 1,046,412 1827,1731 91,986 602,814 Total of Fund• 23.727,610 21,685,714 121,019.512) {4,441,744) 19,952,068 Page 43 LINKAGE COMMUNITY TRUST (A company Ilmlt•d by guarant••) NOTE5 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUOU8T 2024 23. Stat•m•nt ol fund$ (¢ontlfiuod) Unr•*trl¢tod Funds: For clarity of prosonlalion, tho Tru81eo$ choose to 8how the value of property and the accumulated galn8 and Ios895 88 8pporatfy funds. Freo Reserves Bbovo therefore reprgsenls the accumulated surplu8 ¢Jn charitable activlt18S, Re8trlct•d Fund8: Moyl uf Ihts Trust'24 Incom8 Is In the form of f88s bul It al&0 recelv8B grants and rals08 funds for sp9¢1fi¢ purposos. Th8s8 rastrlctad funds are doscrfbed bolow.. ESFA Malnlenan¢a represen1$ lundlng recelvecl from the Edu¢atlon and Skllls Fundlng Agency IESFAI lo be spgnl on the condStSon ol educatlonal lacllllles. Llrics CC - CSL Innov