2025-03-31-accounts - Warrington Community Transport

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WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

CHARITY NO: 516384

CONTENTS
	Pages
Trustees Annual Report	2 - 6
Independent Examiners Report	7
Statement of Financial Activities	8
Balance Sheet	9
Accounting Policies	10 - 11
Notes to the Accounts	12 - 15

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered charity name Warrington Community Transport Charity number 516384 Principal office 19 Athlone Road Warrington Cheshire WA2 8JJ The Trustees who served the charity Matthew Boulton during the period were Dida Goode Patsy Hodson Vicky Leigh Dr Michael Mark McLaughlin (appointed Feb 24) Independent Examiner Barbara L Blaber BA(Econ), FCA 16 Christchurch Road Sale M33 5JL Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

continued

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity, number 516384, is governed by the Constitution and Rules adopted on 8th February 1993

The charity maintains an Executive Committee which selects Trustees using a formalised Trustee Selection method as prescribed below: -

Trustee selection method

The existing Executive Management Committee members select trustees, with their nomination being ratified at a full Committee Meeting and then subjected to the re-election process at each subsequent Annual General Meeting.

Their suitability is evaluated upon areas of expertise, with resultant benefits to the organisations continued efficient management and operations being fully assessed.

Areas of expertise generally encompass: Commercial, Financial, Education, Personnel, Local Authority, other voluntary Sector Organisations, Individual and Group Service Representatives. Each prospective Trustee receives the following information pack containing:

Guide to Warrington Community Transport 'Trustee' Management Committee containing brief details of the organisation’s objectives

Aims

The role of committee members

What is a charity trustee

People who are disqualified from acting as a Trustee Conflict of interest Job description Person specification

Skills audit

Biography Code of Conduct for Trustees Trustees' Undertaking

Warrington Borough Council, as principal funder of the Charity, has the facility to appoint up to two Trustees, usually from their elected council members. In addition, they nominate their Passenger Transport Coordinator as an observer who may attend all Management Committee Meetings. The day-to-day management of the charity is performed by Mrs S Taylor, the General Manager and administrative staff, together with a core volunteer team.

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

continued

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The principal objective continues to be the provision of specialised door-to-door accessible transport for people with disabilities and those community members with mobility difficulties.

The Charity aims to create a more inclusive society through the provision of life-enhancing opportunities for people with disabilities within the boundaries of the Unitary Authority of Warrington Borough Council. These opportunities are created by providing "Door-to-Door" specialised transport to enable people with disabilities to lead a more fulfilled and active life. This transport is provided by wheelchair accessible minibuses operating as the "Dial-a-Ride" and "Group Travel" services which have been serving local community members since 1985. In addition to providing a wide range of social opportunities our specialised transport service ensures employment, education, health and wellbeing establishments are accessed by many of our clients. This has been carried out with due regard to guidance published by the Charities' Commission on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Throughout the year we saw passenger numbers increase on the previous year, average Monthly journeys increased to 1375 (2024/25) from 1343 (2023/24), a 2.3% increase YoY. Throughout this period the trustees, service manager, staff and volunteers worked hard to ensure the service remained available when needed by the members.

During the year to March 2025, we employed 7 members of staff plus one volunteer, we are extremely thankful to for their hard work and dedication to the service.

Financially, the service was able to continue to run within the budget and requirements expected under our charter maintaining the fleet, buildings, and commitments to our staff. As passenger numbers have increased, we look to expand cautiously but in line with the increased use of the service.

FUTURE PLANS

As we continue to see the number of journeys increase, we will look to update and increase the number of buses in the fleet either from our own funds or from funding opportunities that the committee are actively seeking. We will review staffing and volunteer levels accordingly to best utilise the fleet to service our members and work with our council contacts to explore additional opportunities to support the local communities in line with the changing needs of the council as they look to outsource routes and seek better value options, the board and management will evaluate the opportunities available and will look to bid for jobs that fit organisations objectives.

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

continued

The committee are also continuing to look for additional committee members to increase our capacity and knowledge base to ensure we continue to service the members and community to the best of our ability.

The trustees would like to extend their thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that the service continues to meet the needs of our members and helps to maintain the independence of elderly and disabled members of the community.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2025, and the Balance Sheet as at that date, are included in these accounts, with appropriate additional information. Income for the year was £173,855 (2024: £122,762) which included a grant from Warrington Borough Council of £53,000 (2024: £48,000). Expenditure for the year was £159,317 (2024: £144,128).

The Trustees wish to place on record their sincere thanks for the continued support of Warrington Borough Council.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to operations and finance of the Trust and are satisfied that suitable insurance cover and systems are in place to mitigate our exposure to major risks.

RESERVES POLICY

The charity has reviewed its reserves policy and the “contingency reserve” of £35,000 remains in place. This represents adequate funds to close down the service in the event of cessation of funding streams plus cashflow to cover any short-term income fluctuations and will continue to be reviewed annually.

INVESTMENT POLICY

The nature of our Community Transport service operation does not allow the accumulation of substantial investment funds. Whenever surplus operational funding arises, by way of advanced grant payment, the monies are placed on deposit with our bankers until such time as they are required.

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

continued

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure.

We are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2016, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees on January 6[th] 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Chair of Trustees Date 06/01/2026

Matthew Boulton

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner

As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form 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 which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Barbara L Blaber BA(Econ) FCA Date: 19/01/2026

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2025

The notes on pages 10 - 15 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on 06/01/2026 by:

Trustee Wiatthiw Coulton Matthew Boulton

Patsy Hodson

Trustee

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and the UK Generally Accepted Practice.

The charity has applied Update Bulletin 1 as published on 2 February 2016 and does not include a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is applying FRS 102 Section 1A

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented unless otherwise stated.

Income

Income is included on receipt. Grants receivable are credited to income in so far as they relate to the accounting period

Expenditure

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or valuation.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: -

Freehold property Over 4 years Office equipment Over 7 years Motor vehicles Over 10 years

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025

GOING CONCERN

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME

The charity does not have any investments. Interest is earned only on bank account surpluses.

INCOME FROM SERVICES

Users of the charity’s service pay a standard fee. If they hold a concessionary permit issued under the auspices of the Cheshire District Concessionary Fares Scheme/ Warrington Borough Council, or are under 16 years of age, a lower concessionary fare is charged. Users holding appropriate passes travel free of charge within the parameters of the scheme.

FUNDRAISING EXPENDITURE

No fundraising activities have taken place during the year.

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

The charity has no outstanding commitments at 31[st] March 2025

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025

1. Analysis of income

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025 continued

2. Analysis of Expenditure

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025 continued

3. Fixed Assets

4. Debtors

5. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

WARRINGTON COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025 continued

6. Employees

Total staff costs including National Insurance were £108,285 (2024: £84,621).

No employee was paid in excess of £50,000

The average number of employees during the year was 7 (2024: 6)

The average number of employees expressed as full-time equivalents was 4 (2024: 4)

7. Expenses paid to Trustees

No expenses were reimbursed to Trustees in the year (2024: NIL). No remuneration was paid to any of the Trustees.

8. Subsidiary undertakings

The charity has no subsidiary undertakings

9. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year under review