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2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 508230

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

for

AIMS Accountants for Business Chartered Certified Accounts

1

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Contents of the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 3 to 7
Report of the Independent Accountant 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16 to 17

2

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities'.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

508230

Principal address

432 Saffron Lane Leicester Leicestershire LE2 6SB

Trustees

Mrs. D Dixon Chairperson Mr.T Charman Treasurer Mr. P C Dixon Committee Member Ms Kelly Swann Trustee Ms Donna Sheaff Trustee Ms Olwen Guilford Trustee Ms Sarah Hough Trustee Ms Susan Richards Trustee

At the Annual General Meeting all elected members of the committee resign and being eligible are able to be re-nominated and stand for re-election. Dates of new appointments are shown as well as the resignation of those ceasing to be committee members.

Accountant

AIMS Accountants for Business Chartered Certified Accounts

Bankers

The Royal Bank of Scotland 5 Market Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 6DN

The full name of the charity is Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council. The charity is also know by the name Saffron Resource Centre.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is an unincorporated charity. Its objects and powers are controlled by its governing document, a Constitution, adopted on 8th March 1976, as amended on18th November 1978 and 16th February 2010.

3

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Council shall be from:

b) Representatives of statutory and voluntary bodies operating in the Saffron Lane area of whose objects are consistent with those of the Council.

Membership of the Council can be gained upon application and acceptance by the Executive committee. Membership shall cease on:

ii) In the opinion of the Executive Committee, if any members should work contrary to the aims and objectives of the council. Subject to such a member having a right to appeal to the full council.

Each Trustee shall hold office on the Management Committee for a period of one year, and such appointments terminate at the Annual General Meeting. The Chair and Treasurer shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting by the Membership

Induction and training of new trustees

The policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council follows the quality assurance system PQASSO, that covers the induction and training of trustees. Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council offers and actively and encourages all trustees to take relevant identified training. We also comply with all legislation, CRB checks and First Steps Induction in Children and Young Peoples Services. Prospective Trustees are required to complete an application form, will receive a Welcome Pack which includes detailed information about their role and offered appropriate training where identified.

Organisational structure

The project is managed on a day-to-day basis by a fully qualified registered CEO who is responsible to the executive committee. The Executive Committee meets quarterly. Project Managers are appointed to manage the day-to-day operation of the charity. There are currently three projects which are individually managed by Project Managers; The Saffron Resource Centre, Saffron Heath and Saffron Acres. A Development Worker supports all three projects. Each project employs its own staff and volunteers. All Project Managers are responsible to the Executive Committee. Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council is also bound by its individual funding body’s contractual arrangements.

Wider network

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council works with many partners within its local area including: Local Authority, GPs', Police, Schools, MP, Councillors and local voluntary organisations. On national platform the Council works with Locality, The Big Lottery, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Digital, Culture and Media.

Related parties

The period covered by this report, the Council currently hold contracts with: The Big Lottery

There are no related parties associated with any of the trustees with whom the Council transacts.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees have implemented a three year business plan incorporating a policy on maintaining reserves sufficient to safeguard delivery of the Council's aims and objectives.

4

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

A summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its governing document.

OBJECTS

a) The Council is established for charitable objects and purposes only.

b) In particular, the Council is established to promote to the benefit of the inhabitants of Saffron Lane Estate and its environs, without distinction of age, sex, race, political or religious or an other opinions, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, institutions, businesses and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for health, recreation and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving conditions of life for the inhabitants; and to promote all or any objects for the benefit of the community which now or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable.

c) In furtherance of the above objects, but not further or otherwise, the Council may: obtain, collect and receive money and funds by way of contributions, donations, affiliation fees, subscriptions, legacies, grants and any other lawful method; affiliate to or accept affiliation from any charitable body having objects similar to those of the Council; render administration and financial services to other local charitable groups having similar objects, arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures and classes.

d) The Saffron Lane Neighbourhood exists to provide a range of services to support disadvantaged residents of the Freeman, Eyres Monsell and Aylestone Wards of Leicester to reach their full potential. The neighbourhood is recognised as one of the most deprived in the county and in the main, our service users have a wide range of issues associated with being in this demographic including poverty, ill health, unemployment and low educational attainment. The charity's aims including the changes or differences it seeks to make through its activities.

Significant activities

The financial situation remains very difficult for the Third Sector and with this mind the charity has completed another annual financial review to make sure funders are receiving the best value for their investments in the charity's work The organisation has pursued new funding avenues and now owns a large asset that has should secure the charity's financial stability through a regular income over the next 125 years.

Saffron Resource Centre

The Saffron Resource Centre is a centrally located community resource, providing legal and welfare rights information, advice and advocacy, tenancy support, detached youth work, mobility scooter hire, sexual health and pregnancy counselling, specialist debt advice, family law and careers guidance. Office facilities, interview and meeting rooms are available for hire. Our local Councillors and MP use our premises for their surgeries.

Saffron Acres

Saffron Acres is an environmental project situated on a once neglected twelve acre site, just around the corner from the Resource Centre. This project centres on food growing, giving opportunities to allow individuals to grow themselves out of poverty. It is also the home of the award winning and highly successful Saffron Acres Jam providing real life work opportunities for young adults with learning difficulties.

Saffron Heath

The idea of Saffron Heath was born in 2009 out of frustration over the lack of affordable housing being built in the area when there was an abundance of disused land. The Senior Development Worker spent the next five years developing partnerships that allowed the charity to asset transfer 13 acres of land from Leicester City Council to build 68 affordable rented Eco homes. This £10.5 million project not only brought new homes and jobs, but also allowed us to open up 6 acres of new green space for public access.

Grant making

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council do not normally make grants.

5

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Social or programme related investments

SLNC purchased the land for Saffron Heath from Leicester City Council for £1. Part of the land has been sublet to a housing association on a 125 year lease. The charity will be investing £600,000 in the second phase of 40 social rented homes. This sum identified is designated as restricted funds and will allow the charity to draw down the balance of £1.6 million needed to complete the project. At the last board meeting, during our financial review the trustees decided that the six month reserves needed to reflext income generated in 2020 and reserves now set at £158,000. Due to the complexity of closing down an active advice service the board also set aside £120,000 for wind down costs, redundancy payments and non-changeable operating leases.

The Saffron Health Phase 2 housing development is still the boards best option at sustainability for the overall charity and has decided to keep the £600,000 designated funds for this project secure.

Participation and volunteering

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council actively encourages local residents to participation and contribute towards the services provided by each of its projects. Last year there were over 100,000 hours of volunteering on projects.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Saffron Estate consists of a large area of social housing and faces a multitude of deprivation issues such as poverty, low employment levels and educational attainment and health issues. Saffron estate is ranked as one of the most deprived areas in the East Midlands according to the 2017 Index of Multiple Deprivation. SRC exists to provide a wide range of support services for local residents such as youth work, drugs and alcohol counselling, welfare benefits, debt advice, education advice as well as working closely with statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure the interests of Saffron residents are represented at local, city-wide and regional level.

Fundraising activities

The charity relies on grant aid from the donors identified in the accounts , whose support is valued. There have been no material fundraising activities.

Investment performance

No policies of investment considered at this time or invested by the trustees.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

Policies on reserves, Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council has policy of allocating funds identified for future projects in a single designated fund. This is maintained separately from the general unrestricted fund and such money is kept in separate designated bank account.

Funds in deficit

There are no funds in deficit.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

Leicester City Council The Big Lottery

Investment policy and objectives

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council does invest in housing projects. The objective being to generate income for its charitable works.

6

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are required as a charity and under the Charities Act 2011 to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the affairs of the company and disclose the net income or expenditure of the charity for that period, and:

The trustees are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

………………………………. D Dixon - Chairperson

10th July 2025

7

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Report of the Trustees

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Report of the Independent Examiners Report on the Accounts Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

My examination was carried out in accordance with directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the methods and principles of

  4. the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities

  5. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

AIMS Accountants for Business Chartered Certified Accounts

10th July 2025

8

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from generated funds
Voluntary income
3
0
Activities for generating funds
4
103,078
Investment income
5
17,391
Total incoming resources
120,469
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
6
Resource Centre, including SAP
Governance costs
8
Total resources expended
0
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING)
RESOURCES before transfers
120,469
Gross transfers between funds
16
0
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
120,469
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
1,213,248
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
1,333,717
Restricted
funds
£
236,750
0
0
236,750
268,653
30,254
298,907
-62,157
0
-62,157
19,842
-42,315
31.3.25
Total
funds
£
236,750
103,078
17,391
31.3.24
Total
funds
£
230,838
93,076
9,890
357,219
268,653
30,254
333,804
306,240
4,080
298,907
58,312
0
310,320
23,484
0
58,312
1,233,090
23,484
1,209,606
1,291,402 1,233,090

The notes form part of these financial statements

9

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council Balance Sheet At 31 March 2025

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council
Balance Sheet
At 31 March 2025
31.3.25 31.3.24
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 12 15,956 15,956 19,945
Investments 13 0 0 0
0 15,956 15,956 19,945
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 14 0 27,572 27,572 29,666
Cash at bank and in hand 1,333,717 (134,487) 1,199,230 1,213,248
1,333,717 (106,915) 1,226,802 1,242,914
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 15 0 (8,628) (8,628) (29,769)
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 1,333,717 (115,543) 1,218,174 1,213,145
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES 1,333,717 (99,587) 1,234,130 1,233,090
NET ASSETS 1,333,717 (99,587) 1,234,130 1,233,090
FUNDS 16
Unrestricted funds 1,333,717 1,213,248
Restricted funds (99,587) 19,842
TOTAL FUNDS 1,234,130 1,233,090

The cash at bank balance reflects the reserves which are required, and designated funds for future projects, see note 16 for details.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 10th July 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

……………………………….. Mrs D Dixon -Trustee

10

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In common with many other small organisations of our size and nature we use our accountants to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.

2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 1993 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost 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.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure shall include all expenditure directly related to the objects of the charity, which includes expenditure on activities, tuck, equipment for activities and events and trips.

Governance costs

Governance costs shall include all expenditure directly related to the administration of the charity including in expenditure on the management of the charity's assets, organisational administration and compliance with charitable and statutory requirements.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery - 20% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

11

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

3 VOLUNTARY INCOME

VOLUNTARY INCOME
Donations
Grants
Grants received or receivable, included in the above, are as follows:
NLCF - Reaching Communities - Challenging Hardship
NLCF - Reaching Communities - BBBCL
Other grants
ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS
Leicester city council
Room hire
Ground rent
Fees
Other income
INVESTMENT INCOME
Current & deposit account interest
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Resource Centre & SAP
Direct costs
£
43,191
43,191
31.3.25
£
-
236,750
31.3.24
£
-
230,838
236,750 230,838
31.3.25
£
86,512
86,385
63,853
31.3.24
£
81,469
83,870
65,500
236,750 230,838
31.3.25
£
0
37,333
57,271
0
8,474
31.3.24
£
0
28,150
58,830
1,738
4,358
103,078 93,076
31.3.25
£
17,391
31.3.24
£
9,890
Support costs
(See note 7)
£
225,462
Totals
£
268,653
225,462 268,653

4 ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS

5 INVESTMENT INCOME

6 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

12

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

7 SUPPORT COSTS

7 SUPPORT COSTS
Resource Centre & SAP
8 GOVERNANCE COSTS
Bookkeeping & administration
Consultancy
Accountants /Auditors' remuneration
Training & welfare
Volunteer Expenses
31.3.25
£
1,144
23,077
859
5,174
0
Human
resources
£
225,462
225,462
31.3.24
£
743
152
810
2,375
0
30,254 4,080

9 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' Expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

10 STAFF COSTS

STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs & Pension
31.3.25
£
208,450
17,012
31.3.24
£
236,268
19,138
225,462 255,406

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000

The charity operates a Nest pension scheme for its employees in line with legal minimum requirements.

The average number of employees, including those working part time, during the year were
CEO
Manager
Advice, saffron acres project and support
Administration and support
as follows:
1
2
5
1
9

11 PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT

None

13

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

12 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Freehold
Property
31.3.25
£
COST
At 1 April 2024
1
Additions
0
Grants
At 31 March 2025
1
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
0
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
0
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
1
At 31 March 2024
1
13 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
14 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Other debtors
15 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Plant and
machinery
31.3.25
£
124,563
0
124,563
104,619
3,989
108,608
15,955
19,944
Total
31.3.25
£
124,564
0
Total
31.3.24
£
124,564
3,345
124,564 124,564
104,619
3,989
104,619
4,986
108,608 104,619
15,956 19,945
31.3.24
19,945
31.3.25
0 0
31.3.25
£
27,572
0
31.3.24
£
15,565
14,101
27,572 29,666
31.3.25
£
8,628
0
0
31.3.24
£
0
8,500
21,269
8,628 29,769

14

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

16 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated
Restricted funds
Saffron Resource Centre
TOTAL FUNDS
1.4.24
£
127,061
1,086,187
1,213,248
19,842
19,842
1,233,090
Net
movement
in funds
£
63,197
63,197
-62,157
-62,157
1,040
Transfers
between
funds
£
0
31.3.25
£
184,333
1,149,384
0
0
1,333,717
-99,587
0 -99,587
0 1,234,130

At the last board meeting, during our financial review the trustees decided that the six month reserves needed to reflect income generated in 2020 and reserves now set at £158,000.

Due to the complexity of closing down an active advice service the board also set aside £120,000 for wind down costs, redundancy payments and non-changeable operating leases.

The Saffron Heath Phase 2 housing development is still the boards best option at sustainability for the overall charity and has decided to keep the £600,000 designated funds for this project secure.

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated
Restricted funds
Saffron Resource Centre
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
63,197
236,750
236,750
299,947
Resources
expended
£
0
-298,907
Movement
in funds
£
63,197
-62,157
-298,907 -62,157
-298,907 1,040

15

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
Donations
Grants
Activities for generating funds
Fees and produce sales
Other income and rent received
Investment income
Current account interest
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
Other operating leases, inc rents payable
Rates and water
Insurance
Light and heat
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Advertising & website
Sundries
Activities, inc Saffron Heath
Travel & subsistence
Premises repairs & renewals
Subscriptions
Health & safety costs
LSF fees
Cleaning and waste disposal
Lunches & refreshments
Horticultural development
Leasehold depreciation
Plant and machinery depreciation
Penalty
Bank charges
Governance costs
Bookkeeping & administration
Consultancy
Accountant's remuneration
Volunteer expenses
Training & welfare
31.3.25
£
236,750
31.3.24
£
230,838
236,750
0
45,806
230,838
0
93,076
45,806
17,391
93,076
9,890
299,947
5,822
0
3,678
4,699
5,081
3,724
0
0
0
102
7,909
5,397
0
0
1,759
705
0
0
3,989
0
326
333,804
6,128
88
1,685
6,117
4,120
3,500
540
0
2,416
1,884
12,541
2,458
1,092
0
1,338
1,378
363
0
4,986
0
200
43,191
1,144
23,077
859
0
5,174
50,834
743
152
810
0
2,375
30,254 4,080

16

Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Support costs
Human resources
Wages
Social security
Pension
Total resources expended
Net income / (expenditure)
31.3.25
£
208,450
13,127
3,885
31.3.24
£
236,268
13,710
5,428
225,462 255,406
298,907 310,320
1,040 23,484

17