REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01997072 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 517465 Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 for Rice Lane Community Association Limited Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Page Ito3 Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financlal Activitie5 Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 7tolO 11
Rice Lane Community Association Limited Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 The directors who are also trustees of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The objectives of the Association are to advance the education and provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for the benefit for the residents of Liverpool, particularly the Walton and Fazakerley area and neighbourhoods. The Association has a programme of activities which is delivered from RI Lane City Farm. Extensive use of outreach and Servi delivery for all people from school age children to senior citizens, including people with special needs. Public benefit statement In considering the objectives and activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidan on Public Benefit to ensure that the organisation is meeting its Public Benefit requirements, including the need to maintain funding to enable a sensible long term time scale to be maintained. Page 1
Rice Lane Community Association Limited Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees who were also directors of Ihe charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). During the year 2024 -2025 there were changes both to the governance of the Charity and its slaffing. Mrs A Anson joined as an additional trustee on 6th Dec 2024, bringing valuable experien from past involvement with far larger organisations than RI Lane Community Association. Unfortunately, during this reporting period we also found it necessary to investigale and subsequently dismiss a member of staff who had occupied a position of significant trust and authority. The investigation identified multiple instances of the charities, funds being used to make payments for the benefit of that staff member or their family. The individual concerned offered no defen or mitigations to the findings of that investigation, nor at the disciplinary meeting that followed, nor at a subsequent appeal meeting, and on completion of due prOsS was dismissed from our employment on 19th March 2025. The fraudulent use of the charities money in this way constitutes theft and this remains the subject of an ongoing investigation, the relevant crime reference numbers are NFRC250307243978 (for Action Fraud) and 25000245646 (for Merseyside Police). While the Association is the victim of this fraud, the impact has gone far beyond the loss of the £1.4k that was taken before the issue was identified and acted upon, it has led to a significant reduction in our grant income, and in particular the suspension of our National Lottery funding. The extent of the damage done by this one event is immeasurable, and despite great effort on the part of the trustees and remaining staff, we are currently depleting our funds more rapidly than they can be restored. There is no doubt that 2025-26 and beyond will be very difficult for the association. Against this backdrop, the ServIS and benefits provided for our local community have been continued, wth special events being run and significant numbers of adults and children visiling and taking part. Our Halloween "spooky Walk" was a particular success, becoming the most sucSsful single fundraising event of the year, something we intend to build on in future. Limitations on the available time of trustees, particularly through their involvement in both the disciplinary and police investigations have meant that the conversion to a CIO has not been progressed and this remains as a management objective. The Association now has 3 trustees and continues to seek additional members, and now employs 2 part-time staff who provide for the care of our animals and public access to the site 7-days per week. Jamie Dowling, Chair Trustees Page 2
Rice Lane Community Association Limited Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW Total Income in the year was £101299 compared to £90327 in 2023124, of which £51600 was restricted for specific purposes. The majority of unrestricted income is from personal donations and monthly fund raising events. Total expenditure during the year was £93464, compared to £108,534, leaving a surplus of £41560 compared to £33149 in 2023124. On March 31st 2025 the Charity had a total of reserves of £41560 made up of TSB £21290 Coop £20270.15 of which £20500 were restricted. At the same time 202412025 the figure was restricted £3,755 Reserves pollcy - It is the policy of the charitable company to maintain unrestricted funds at a level to cover redundancy provision and one month's running costs should no further funding be received. As at the end of the financial year the unrestricted funds totalled £36240 compared to £28000 in 2023124 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT -The organisation is a charitable company limited by guaranlee, incorporated on 6th March 1986. (Company number 01997072) and registered as a charity on 28 May 1986 (Charity number 517465) Governlng document- The company was astabllshed under a Memorandum of Assoclatlon whlch establlshed the objects and powers of the company and Is governed by Its Artlcles of Assoclatlon dated 6 March 1986 Recrultment and appolntment of naw trustees- The trustees are normally appointed by the Board and one-third of the trustees will normally retire each year and are eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting. No places on the Board are resenied for specific individuals or representatives of particular organizations. The trustees may also co-opt non-voting advisors to the Board or sub-committees throughout the year. In order to carry out the work of the Association the trustees abide by a variety of procedural documents. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstered Company number 01997072 (England and Wales) Registered Charlty number 517465 Reglsterod offlce No. 2 Lodge, City Farm, Rawcliffe Road, Walton, Liverpool Merseyside Lg 1AW Trustees S Jarman J Dowling G Soul A Anson (appointed 1 July 2019) (appointed 28 March 2023) (appointed 15 December 2022 to 13 December 2023) (appoinled 6 December 2024) Company Socretary S. Jarman Indep6nd•nt Examlner Wendy Hine Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees Jamie Dowlin& Cha. Trustees Date 2c)2O Page 3
.Independent ExamIneS Report to the Trustees of Rice Lane Community Association Limited Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of Rice Lane Communlty Association Limited ('the Company')- I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responslbilities and basis of report - As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 <'the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respecl of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe.. 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordan wth the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection wtth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached other than as below.. finalising accounts and highlighting any discrepancies due to ongoing fraud investigation - poli reference number 25000245646 La,La Wendy Hine Date Page 4
Rlce Lane Communlty Assoclation Llmlted Statement of Financlal Actlvitles For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 31.3.25 Total Funds 31.3.24 Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Fund Funds INCOMEAND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 1961 1961 38786 Charitable activites Farm (Inc refunds) 47738 51600 99338 51541 49699 51600 101299 90327 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Farm 62364 31100 93464 108534 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) -12665 20500 7835 -18534 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 33725 33725 51684 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 21060 20500 41560 33150 These notes form art of these financial statements Page S
Rice Lane Community Assoclation Limited Balance Sheet 31 March 2025 31.3.25 Total Funds 31.3.24 Total Funds Unrestricted Restricted Fund Funds Notes £ FIXED ASss Tangible assets CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand -7698 -7698 -2,106 1130 170 1130 170 550 310 14662 20500 35162 31904 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 NEf CURRENT ASSETS 295 28954 10878 20500 31378 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 21060 20500 41560 33150 NET ASSETS 21060 20500 41560 33150 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS 21060 20500 41560 29395 37 33150 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Art 2006. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and (b) preparing financial statements which gRve a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplu5 or deficit for each financi31 year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board ofTrustees and authorised for issue on 28 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by: Chair Trustees These notes form part of these financial statements Page 6
Rice Lane Communlty Assoclatlon Limlted Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparing the financial statements The financial statements ofthe charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland [FRS 102) (effective l January 2019),, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income All income is recognised in the Statement ofFinancial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be requlred in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all 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. Tangible fixed assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Improvements to property Fixtures and fittings Computer equipment Stocks Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance th 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 rinancial statements. Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate IOO/o straight line 250/0 on reducing balance 25 % on reducing balance Page 7 Continued.......
Rlce Lane Community Association Limited Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)-Net incomel(expenditure) is stated after chargingl(crediting)'. 31.3.2025 4858 31.3.2024 £4350 Depreaation - owned assets 3. 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 20234 Trustees. expenses - There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024 4 COMPARITIVES FOR THE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted Restricted Fund fund Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and Legacies Charitable activltes Farm Totsl 1961 1961 47738 49699 51600 51600 99338 101299 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activites Farm NET INCOMEI{EXPENDITURE) 62364 -12665 31100 20500 93464 7835 RECONCILLIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 33725 33725 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 21060 20500 41560 5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Improvements To propety Fixtures and fittings Computer equipment Totals COST At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 4900 92897 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 Charge for year At 31 March 2025 81347 4276 77071 4727 582 4145 2473 86,074 4858 83689 2473 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 (8453) 755 (7698) At 31 March 2024 (7883) 1093 (6,790) Page 8 Continued....
Rlce Lane Community Association Llmlted Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 31.03.2025 31.01.2024 6. STOCK Stocks 1130 510 7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Prepayments 177 222 nil 310 8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Pension contributions Accrued expenses 171 3784 157 2950 5477 3107 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net Movement At 14 2024 in funds At 313 2025 Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Liverpool HAF, Sefton HAF + National Lottery 29395 -8335 21060 3755 33150 16745 8410 20500 41560 TOTAL FUNDS 33150 8410 41560 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources ReSoUrS expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund plus City of Liverpool + Postcode Restrlcted funds Liverpool HAF Sefton HAF National Lottery 49699 (62364) -12665 11500 1600 38500 (11500} (1600) {18000) 20500 TOTAL FUNDS 10129g (93464) 7835 Page 9 continued...... ..
Rlce Lane Communlty Assoclation Llmlted Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - contlnued Comparatives for movements in funds Net Movement in funds At1423 At31324 Unrestrlcted funds General fund 46172 16737 29395 Restricted funds Liverpool Charities 1712 2003 3755 TOTAL FUNDS 47884 14735 33150 Comparative net movement in fiJnds, induded in the above are as follows.. Incoming Resour$ ReSoUrS expended Movemenl in funds Unrestricted funds General fund R8Stricted funds Merseyside Play Action Council Liverpool Charities TOTAL FUNDS 63,669 (47,267) 16.401 6,460 {6,460) 132 16,533 112,680 (96,147) A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: Net Movement At 14 2023 in funds At 313 2025 Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Liverpool HAF Sefton HAF National Lottery 16401 8441 7960 11500 1600 20368 11500 1600 20500 132 TOTAL FUNDS 16533 25027 41560 10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025 Page 10