LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT
And
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Registered Charity Number – 514370
For the year ended 31[st] March 2024
Bankers
NatWest 27/28 St. Peter’s Hill GRANTHAM NG31 6QG
Independent Auditor
Keith Chambers Chartered Accountants Sleaford
LPTC exists to promote the advancement of education and training through City & Guilds Land Based Services awards
Background
The Committee, in accordance with the constitution, consists of members from the NFU, Colleges of Agriculture and Horticulture, County Federation of Young Farmer’s Clubs, County Training Groups, Independent Trainers, Representatives of County Assessors and Independent Industrial Members. Wherever possible attempts are made to fill these categories. From these members a Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected. The Centre Organiser, Mrs K Hobson, is the Secretary and Treasurer.
Membership
T – indicates Trustee
Chairman - Mr Chris Wray (T) Vice Chairman - Mr Simon Gadd (T) Committee - Mr Andrew Baxter (T) Mr Stephen Cock Mr Trevor Cairns (T) Mr Malcolm Dodds Mr Barry Early Mr Christopher Foster Mr Tom Hall Mr Mark Leggott (T) Mrs Elena Malloy (T) Mrs Ann Dickinson (T) Mr A Cock (T) Mr Neil Rowbottom (T) Mr Mark Ireland (T) Mr Stuart Suddaby (T) Mr Richard Hammond (T) Mr Andrew Wright Mr Richard Wheatcroft (T)
Trustee Status
There are currently thirteen trustees of the charity. All members who are not in breach of Charity Commission regulations are required to be trustees.
LPTC holds insurance for general liability, professional liability and management liability to cover both training aspects and also trustee indemnity.
Assessment Centre Organiser
The Organiser is self-employed and the Committee adopt a Service Contract at the AGM. The Organiser is paid £ 14.50 for every assessment returned to City & Guilds for certification.
Assessors
There are currently ten PA assessors regularly used by LPTC.
There are four Chainsaw assessors in the county, and we are actively looking to recruit another.
All other qualifications including integrated as well as independent assessments are well covered by existing assessors.
Following ratification by the committee at the AGM last year, the pesticide assessors are paid the hourly rate £ 27.50 and chainsaw assessors are paid £ 225.00 per day. Mileage rate is 45 p/mile. LPTC funds the purchase of first aid kits for all their Lincolnshire based assessors and also reimburses the cost of attending mandatory City & Guilds assessor up-dates including mileage for those up-dates held out of county. In addition Assessor First Aid courses are also funded by LPTC.
The number of assessments completed by the Centre between 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 is 1024. Thanks must be extended to training providers, trainers and assessors alike for your continued support and work with LPTC over the last year.
Training Providers
LPTC have been pleased to welcome business from Riseholme College, Rural Training Links, HM Prison Service, Progreen Weed Solutions Ltd and Holderness Training. LPTC are grateful to them for referring all their testing through the Lincolnshire Centre.
Marketing
LPTC shared stand space with Cola Training Services Ltd at the Newark Midland Machinery Show in November 2023.
Overview
The Lincolnshire Proficiency Tests Committee have held meetings on two occasions since the last AGM in May 2023. The first in November 2023 and the second in January 2024. LPTC have agreed to move to on-line banking and this is the process of being completed in the next couple of months, with a decision hopefully made at this AGM on which bank to move to which offers us the option of dual authorisation.
The committee has been pleased to welcome four new members to the committee since the last AGM. Ann Dickinson as Rural Training Links representative, Adam Cock as Cola Training representative, Andrew Wright as HMP representative and Richard Wheatcroft as Industrial Member representative. Stephen Cock gave notice at the AGM in 2023 that he would be stepping down from the committee after over 40 years’ service with the Proficiency Tests Committee. Unfortunately, he is unable to attend the meeting tonight, but we will arrange a presentation later in the year in respect of his many years of loyal service. He will be replaced on the committee by Rodney Butter at the next committee meeting.
The Pesticide/Machinery assessors and trainers met last week giving them a chance to share and discuss information across their sector.
In addition, the Constitution Review sub-committee met on 25[th] March 2024 and thanks to those who attended and will feed back to this meeting later on.
Quality Assurance is a main focus of the Centre and continued document checks and physical observations of assessors are planned and undertaken throughout the year. The Centre Audit took place on 18[th] September 2023 when the Centre was awarded ‘low risk’. The next audit will be remote sampling activity scheduled for September.
LPTC has applied for and been granted City & Guilds chainsaw refresher units and will roll this out to the training providers over the summer.
Again, LPTC has focused on delivering a high standard of customer service and good levels of communication with all involved parties.
This report was presented to the Lincolnshire Proficiency Tests Committee at their Annual General Meeting on Monday, 20[nd] May 2024.
Chris Wray, Chairman, Lincolnshire Proficiency Tests Committee
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITTEE Registered Charity Number 514370 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMIThEE Index to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Pa Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities (including Income & Expenditure Account) Balan Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITTEE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS cOMMIEE I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 2 to 4. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Ac¥). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any matenal respect:_ 1. accounting records WEre not kept as required by section 130 of the Act" or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records" or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conmIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view lch is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection V¥ryth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. L'4u Ci Date.. 20 May 2024 KEITH CHAMBERS F.C.A. (ICAEW) CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT SLEAFORD LINCOLNSHIRE Page I
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITfEE TATEMENT OF FINAN IALA TIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 024 23 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES: ASSESSMENT FEES (FEPA) ASSESSMENT FEES (CS) ASSESSMENT FEES (OTHER) ASSESSMENT FEES PAID IN ADVANCE- DECREASE I (INCREASE) REGISTRATIONS 49110.00 13600.00 9141.lyj 57237.00 12055.00 7280.00 40.00 38092.00 2.50 35725.00 109983.00 112299.50 FROM INVESTMENTS: DIVIDENDS BANK INTEREST 855.13 685.98 637.30 217.84 1541.11 855.14 TOTAL INCOME 111524.11 113154.64 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXAMINERS EXPENSES (FEPA) EXAMINERS EXPENSES {CS) EXAMINERS EXPENSES (OTHER) GOLA ADMINISTRATION NPTC REGISTRATIONS ASSESSMENT CENTRE ORGANISER POSTAGE, TELEPHONE, OFFICE EQUIPMENT, STATIONERY & COPIER ROOM HIRE, REFRESHMENTS INSURANCES ASSESSOR TRAINING & FIRST AID ADVERTISING ACCOUNTANCY COSTS PROFESSIONAL CHARGES BANK CHARGES 29712.39 11576.46 5267.23 5670.55 36545.00 15081.20 34443.91 11409.20 4656.12 6113.20 38124.00 14689.80 3029.07 125.00 1164.16 344.40 270.04 564.00 176.78 63.70 3143.87 96.50 1134.30 829.00 360.04 522.00 172.21 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 109589.98 115694.15 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 1934.13 £ (2539.51) TOTAL FUNDS brought for*fdrd 89387.92 91927.43 TOTAL FUNDS carried forward £ 91322.05 £ 89387.92 Page 2
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMirr BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2024 2023 CURRENT A SET DEBTORS 6094.00 13615.00 INVESTMENT - NFU UNIT TRUST 33521.29 32842.67 BANKACCOUNTS: CURRENT ACCOUNT BUSINESS RESERVE 72517.33 57615.90 72517.33 57615.90 112132.62 104073.57 CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS OWING 20810.57 14685.65 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 91322.05 89387.92 ACCUMULATED FUNDS OPENING BALANCE ADD SURPLUSI(DEFICIT} FROM INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 89387.92 91927.43 1934.13 {2539.51) TOTAL RETAINED FUNDS 91322.05 89387.92 Approved by the Trustees on 20 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by C. Wray Page 3
INC LNSHI EPR FICIENCY TESTS COMMIThEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (1) Accountin Policies These accounts have been prepared in accordan with: Financial Reporting Standard 102 and UK GAAP. Charities SORP (FRS 102) and Update Bulletin 1. Charities Act 2011 and Regulations rnade thereunder. These accounts are prepared under the historical cost accounting rules, using the accruals basis. They are prepared on a going-conrn basis as the Trustees are satisfied that this is appropriate for the charity's situation. Income is recognised vthen perfOrrnan has been completed. Expenditure is recognised when contracted for. (2) ible Fi ed Assets The charity has no material Fixed Assets. (3) Investment The Unit-Trust investment is shown at cost to date (the Curnt valuation is £46153). (4) Creditors Owin 2024 2023 Routine aountS oulstanding Assessment Fees reiVed in advance Accrual for current year accountsncy costs 17476.57 2770.00 564.00 11353.65 2810.00 522.00 £ 20810.57 £ 14685.65 {5) lated Funds Made up of Unrestricted Funds as follows:_ General Fund 91322.05 89387.92 91322.05 89387.92 and Restricted Funds £ 91322.05 £ 89387.92 Page 4
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITTEE Registered Charity Number 514370 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMIThEE Index to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Pa Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities (including Income & Expenditure Account) Balan Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITTEE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS cOMMIEE I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 2 to 4. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Ac¥). I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any matenal respect:_ 1. accounting records WEre not kept as required by section 130 of the Act" or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records" or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conmIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view lch is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection V¥ryth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. L'4u Ci Date.. 20 May 2024 KEITH CHAMBERS F.C.A. (ICAEW) CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT SLEAFORD LINCOLNSHIRE Page I
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMITfEE TATEMENT OF FINAN IALA TIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 024 23 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES: ASSESSMENT FEES (FEPA) ASSESSMENT FEES (CS) ASSESSMENT FEES (OTHER) ASSESSMENT FEES PAID IN ADVANCE- DECREASE I (INCREASE) REGISTRATIONS 49110.00 13600.00 9141.lyj 57237.00 12055.00 7280.00 40.00 38092.00 2.50 35725.00 109983.00 112299.50 FROM INVESTMENTS: DIVIDENDS BANK INTEREST 855.13 685.98 637.30 217.84 1541.11 855.14 TOTAL INCOME 111524.11 113154.64 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXAMINERS EXPENSES (FEPA) EXAMINERS EXPENSES {CS) EXAMINERS EXPENSES (OTHER) GOLA ADMINISTRATION NPTC REGISTRATIONS ASSESSMENT CENTRE ORGANISER POSTAGE, TELEPHONE, OFFICE EQUIPMENT, STATIONERY & COPIER ROOM HIRE, REFRESHMENTS INSURANCES ASSESSOR TRAINING & FIRST AID ADVERTISING ACCOUNTANCY COSTS PROFESSIONAL CHARGES BANK CHARGES 29712.39 11576.46 5267.23 5670.55 36545.00 15081.20 34443.91 11409.20 4656.12 6113.20 38124.00 14689.80 3029.07 125.00 1164.16 344.40 270.04 564.00 176.78 63.70 3143.87 96.50 1134.30 829.00 360.04 522.00 172.21 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 109589.98 115694.15 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 1934.13 £ (2539.51) TOTAL FUNDS brought for*fdrd 89387.92 91927.43 TOTAL FUNDS carried forward £ 91322.05 £ 89387.92 Page 2
LINCOLNSHIRE PROFICIENCY TESTS COMMirr BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2024 2023 CURRENT A SET DEBTORS 6094.00 13615.00 INVESTMENT - NFU UNIT TRUST 33521.29 32842.67 BANKACCOUNTS: CURRENT ACCOUNT BUSINESS RESERVE 72517.33 57615.90 72517.33 57615.90 112132.62 104073.57 CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS OWING 20810.57 14685.65 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 91322.05 89387.92 ACCUMULATED FUNDS OPENING BALANCE ADD SURPLUSI(DEFICIT} FROM INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 89387.92 91927.43 1934.13 {2539.51) TOTAL RETAINED FUNDS 91322.05 89387.92 Approved by the Trustees on 20 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by C. Wray Page 3
INC LNSHI EPR FICIENCY TESTS COMMIThEE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (1) Accountin Policies These accounts have been prepared in accordan with: Financial Reporting Standard 102 and UK GAAP. Charities SORP (FRS 102) and Update Bulletin 1. Charities Act 2011 and Regulations rnade thereunder. These accounts are prepared under the historical cost accounting rules, using the accruals basis. They are prepared on a going-conrn basis as the Trustees are satisfied that this is appropriate for the charity's situation. Income is recognised vthen perfOrrnan has been completed. Expenditure is recognised when contracted for. (2) ible Fi ed Assets The charity has no material Fixed Assets. (3) Investment The Unit-Trust investment is shown at cost to date (the Curnt valuation is £46153). (4) Creditors Owin 2024 2023 Routine aountS oulstanding Assessment Fees reiVed in advance Accrual for current year accountsncy costs 17476.57 2770.00 564.00 11353.65 2810.00 522.00 £ 20810.57 £ 14685.65 {5) lated Funds Made up of Unrestricted Funds as follows:_ General Fund 91322.05 89387.92 91322.05 89387.92 and Restricted Funds £ 91322.05 £ 89387.92 Page 4