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2023-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02059997 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 518275

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

for

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

DHB Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 110 Whitchurch Road Cardiff CF14 3LY

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8 to 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

The trustees who are also directors 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 2023. 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives, Operations, Organisation and Funding.

VEST is a company limited by guarantee without share capital and is a registered charity. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association that were last amended on 26 September 2013.

VEST operates a fleet of specially adapted vehicles providing a door to door transport service to people for whom the use of conventional public transport presents difficulties due to restricted mobility through illness, age, disability or isolation. VEST serves the residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. It operates three services: Community Transport (CT), Dial-a-Bus and Ring & Ride (DR). CT is the purely charitable element of VEST. Both the DR services are operated on behalf of the Cardiff and Vale Local Authorities on a net cost recovery basis.

Community Transport currently owns and operates five large (16 or 17 seat) minibuses providing a scheduled transport service to Day Centres, clubs and charitable organisations such as the Stroke Association, Age Concern, the Parkinson's Disease Society and the Sight Life Wales. Around these scheduled bookings, and subject to the availability of vehicles and drivers, it also provides a transport facility to registered groups and individuals wishing to travel to and from any UK destination. Community Transport offers its services every day of the year.

DR provides two services. Dial-a-Bus operates one large (13 seat) minibus. It is a bookable, scheduled 'door to town centre and return' shopping service that runs each day except Sundays. It serves five areas of Cardiff on two and a half weekdays and the Vale of Glamorgan during the remainder of the week and Saturdays. Ring & Ride provides a bookable 'door to door' bus service within the City of Cardiff operating from 9:30 to 16.00, Monday to Thursday, 09.30 to 15.30 Friday. It has a fleet of six smaller minibuses. The DR fleet of seven vehicles is owned and capitalised by the Local Authorities.

The operation and finances of VEST are the responsibility of the Directors, who are also Trustees under the Charities Act and hold their posts in an honorary capacity. In shaping the objectives for the year and planning its activities, the Board has considered the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. The Charity gives careful consideration to ensuring its activities are accessible to all eligible users from all aspects of the Community.

Overall day-to-day operation of VEST is the responsibility of a salaried full time manager paid from CT's funds, to which the Cardiff and Vale local authorities make a 15% gross salary contribution. Community Transport is dependent upon trained volunteer driver/carers to operate its services. At year-end two administrative staff and eight full-time drivers/carers were employed on the provision of the DR services. These staff are paid directly on an agency basis by the local authorities. This sum does not go through the VEST accounts but is quoted in the published accounts to satisfy the Charity Commission's SORP requirements. In total 11 full time paid staff were employed by VEST during the year.

The main sources of funding for Community Transport are fares, grants from Cardiff County Council Adult Services Department, a bus services support grant, the local authority's manager's salary contribution, donations, fund raising activities and interest on Community Transport's reserves.

Page 1

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT

(V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Review of activities and future developments

2022/23 was our sixteenth full year at our Portmanmoor site. In November 2011, November 2016 and April 2021 we negotiated an extension of our 5-year lease on this site with our current landlord.

The Covid-19 pandemic seriously disrupted services during the previous and services were steadily returning to more normal levels during 2022/23. In particular, CT services were resumed.

Overall, during 2022/23 we received 21,205 requests for service (up from 19,527 the previous year), of which the customers subsequently cancelled 2,167 (down from 2,608). We were unable to service 2,627 requests due to the unavailability of a vehicle or driver at the date and time required, so that we serviced 16,411 requests. Overall, during the year, we satisfied 86.2% of demand, carried 20,797 passengers and the fleet covered 124,267 miles.

Each year Community Transport (CT) needs to make a surplus of income over expenditure before vehicle depreciation of about £50k to service the vehicle replacement reserve. The current state of this reserve is satisfactory. Vehicles are replaced only when their reliability begins to cause concern. Delivery of a newly converted replacement 16 seater vehicle was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. .

There has been a fall in donations during the year to £3,717 (from £9,305). Fares income rose to a billed amount of £15,977 (from £5,494). The net result of all this is that CT had a loss of income over expenditure of £27,244.

We have been advised that some funding for BSSG will continue to be forthcoming.

Recorded data for VEST's safety statistics confirm no significant change in standards for the year, as in previous reporting periods, all incidents and accidents, were investigated as a matter of routine, and were of a minor nature. Focused driver training is key to sustaining safety standards. Prior to being allowed to drive fleet vehicles, all drivers - whether volunteers or permanent staff - undergo training in compliance with the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MIDAS) which has been developed by the Community Transport Association (CTA) and is nationally recognised and designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote safer operations.

Some marketing activities have been introduced to make the public at large more aware of the services we provide and how they can benefit from them. Our old web site has been replaced by a modern one with up to date articles and descriptions of our activities and we maintain an active social media presence.

The composition of the Board has changed. Ceri Witchard has assumed the appointment as Chairperson, Hugh Edney has resigned, and Rebecca Villis has joined.

We are deeply indebted to our volunteers; without their excellent contribution the Community Transport service could not operate. Our sincere thanks are also due to our Operations Manager, Richard Davies, our administration staff and drivers for their hard work and outstanding commitment in providing these widely appreciated services. Richard has in his first year introduced new systems improving efficiency, training and statutory procedures.

There are no Restricted funds.

Page 2

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Risk Management

The Trustees review the risks & uncertainties facing the charity on a regular basis in line with its adopted risk management policy.

COVID 19 RESPONSE

The global pandemic COVID-19 affected economies during 2020 and is ongoing. The Charity has assessed the impact of this upon operations and has formulated a plan to enable the charity to meet the challenges presented. The trustees are confident the charity will have the resources to continue operations for the foreseeable future.

Reserves

The board regularly review the required reserves of the charity. This review encompassed the nature of income and expenditure streams, the need to match variable income with fixed commitments and the nature of the reserves. The Directors are aware of the need to continually monitor reserves, but are satisfied they currently have adequate resources to fulfil their requirements for the foreseeable future. During the year the charity's general reserve decreased to £373,337.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

VEST is a company limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006 and is without share capital. The company is also a registered charity. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association that were last amended on 26 September 2013.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The appointed trustees actively encourage and seek to identify appropriate persons to join the board as trustees. On appointment each new trustee is provided with a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the latest Trustees Annual Report and Accounts. Appropriate training and induction is provided to enable any new trustee to fulfil their duties.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

02059997 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

518275

Registered office

Unit 45 Portmanmoor Road Industrial Estate Cardiff CF24 5HB

Trustees

Ms C R Davies H Edney (resigned 30.11.22) Prof M Healey (Treasurer) R C Green C L Witchard (Chairperson) Ms R Villis (Civil Servant)

Company Secretary

Ms C R Davies

Page 3

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner

Stephen Horrigan FCA DHB Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 110 Whitchurch Road Cardiff CF14 3LY

Solicitors

Leo Abse & Cohen 40 Churchill Way Cardiff CF1 4SS

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 6 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Prof M Healey - Trustee

Page 4

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

The trustees (who are also the directors of VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 5

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities 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 respect 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 examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the ERROR - relevant professional body must be completed, which is one of the listed bodies.

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 which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with 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 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.

Stephen Horrigan FCA

DHB Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 110 Whitchurch Road Cardiff CF14 3LY

Date: .............................................

Page 6

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

2023
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
391,158
Investment income
2
876
Total
392,034
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
325,816
Other
74,766
Total
400,582
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(8,548)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
381,885
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
373,337		 2022
Total
funds
£
323,932
2,205
326,137
283,720
70,354
354,074
(27,937)
409,822
381,885

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Balance Sheet 31 March 2023

2023
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
7
70,051
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
48,424
Cash at bank and in hand
273,707
322,131
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
9
(18,845)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
303,286
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
373,337
NET ASSETS
373,337
FUNDS
10
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
373,337
TOTAL FUNDS
373,337		 2022
Total
funds
£
94,051
41,887
264,894
306,781
(18,947)
287,834
381,885
381,885
381,885
381,885

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.) (Registered number: 02059997)

Balance Sheet - continued 31 March 2023

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 of Trustees and authorised for issue on 6 October 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

M Healey - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the 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 1 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.

The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling which is the functional operating currency of the Charity.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial 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.

Income from government and other grants are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

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 required 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.

Donations and gifts

Donations and gifts are recognised when received.

Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity. Donated services are included in incomeing resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and materials.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 25% on reducing balance

Taxation

There is no taxation liability arising on these accounts as the company is a registered charity whose income and gains are applied exclusively for charitable purposes.

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.

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continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT

(V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

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

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

3.

INVESTMENT INCOME
2023 2022
£ £
Deposit account interest 876 2,205
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
2023 2022
£ £
Depreciation - owned assets 24,000 22,800

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Manager
Administration
Drivers		 2023
1
2
8
11		 2022
1
2
8
11

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

VEST employees 11 people, a manager, 2 assistant administrators and 8 drivers. The manager is paid from CT funds, to which the local authorities contribute a supplementary grant of 15% of her gross pay cost. All other staff are employed by and paid direct by the local authorities on an agency basis. The total gross value of this agency payment during 2022/23 was £199,046..

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continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

7.

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
Other
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022
Charge for year
At 31 March 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022		 Motor
vehicles
£
294,515
200,464
24,000
224,464
70,051
94,051		 Unrestricted
fund
£
323,932
2,205
326,137
283,720
70,354
354,074
(27,937)
409,822
381,885
Computer
equipment
Totals
£
£
22,019
316,534
22,019
222,483
-
24,000
22,019
246,483
-
70,051
-
94,051

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continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

8.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
9.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
10.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1/4/22
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
381,885
TOTAL FUNDS
381,885
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
392,034
TOTAL FUNDS
392,034
Comparatives for movement in funds
At 1/4/21
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
409,822
TOTAL FUNDS
409,822		 2023
2022
£
£
29,835
22,715
18,589
19,172
48,424
41,887
2023
2022
£
£
16,802
14,244
(117)
2,500
2,160
2,203
18,845
18,947
Net
movement
At
in funds
31/3/23
£
£
(8,548)
373,337
(8,548)
373,337
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(400,582)
(8,548)
(400,582)
(8,548)
Net
movement
At
in funds
31/3/22
£
£
(27,937)
381,885
(27,937)
381,885

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continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT

(V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
326,137
326,137		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(354,074)
(27,937)
(354,074)
(27,937)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1/4/21
£
409,822
409,822		 Net
movement
in funds
£
(36,485)
(36,485)		 At
31/3/23
£
373,337
373,337

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
718,171
718,171		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(754,656)
(36,485)
(754,656)
(36,485)

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023.

12. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

There is no ultimate controlling party other than the trustees and members acting together.

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continued...

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

13. SHARE CAPITAL

The charitable company is limited by guarantee and as such has no share capital. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, the liability of each member is limited to £1.

Page 15

VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICE TRANSPORT (V.E.S.T.)

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations and gifts
Grants receivable
Fares
Fuel Duty Rebate
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Wages
Motor expenses
Travel and subsistence
Protective clothing
Computer Maintenance & Support
Training
Vehicle Depreciation
Mobile Telephone and Radio
Fees and licences
Telephone
Support costs
Management
Wages
Rent & Rates
Insurance
Light and heat
Postage and stationery
Accountancy
Sundries
Legal costs (DBS checks)
Repairs & Maintenance
Total resources expended
Net expenditure		 2023
£
3,717
232,468
129,045
25,928
391,158
876
392,034
199,046
88,625
1,575
397
3,984
1,742
24,000
4,810
144
1,493
325,816
30,000
31,916
1,714
1,765
1,751
2,688
786
775
3,371
74,766
400,582
(8,548)		 2022
£
9,305
215,686
89,542
9,399
323,932
2,205
326,137
184,740
66,880
862
357
4,755
197
22,800
2,064
37
1,028
283,720
32,910
19,593
1,417
1,698
1,891
2,329
661
1,915
7,940
70,354
354,074
(27,937)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16