Company registration number: 02118349 Charity registration number: 519405
## Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire
(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 7|
|Independent Examiner's Report|8|
|Statement of Financial Activities|9 to 10|
|Balance Sheet|11|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|12 to 26|
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** Adam Whitchurch, Chair Simon Patrick Tipping Cllr Seamus Martin Creamer Maurice Shakeshaft **Secretary** Alexandra Raynor **Senior Management Team** Alexandra Raynor, Director Jennifer Kirkwood, Director **Charity Registration Number** 519405 **Company Registration Number** 02118349 **Registered Office** Arnot Hill House Arnot Hill Park Arnold Nottingham NG5 6LU **Independent Examiner** Eva Stevens, employee of Community Accounting Plus Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL **Bankers** Natwest Bank Plc Newark 1 Market Place Newark Nottinghamshire NG24 1DY
Page 1
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
## **Trustees and officers**
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: Adam Whitchurch, Chair Simon Patrick Tipping Cllr Seamus Martin Creamer Maurice Shakeshaft (appointed 24 July 2024) Ivan Annibal, Vice Chair (resigned 23 November 2024) Paul Peacock (resigned 6 November 2024)
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 1 April 1987 and most recently amended by the certificate of incorporation on change of name dated 15 November 2007. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
As vacancies arise, the Board consider on a skills basis the experience and skills needed to fulfil a fully strategic and committed Board. Vacancies are then advertised via networks or individuals approached from current partnerships. Interested parties then apply for the position and these are discussed by the Board before they are agreed and/or rejected.
There is currently a process for appointing district authority representatives on an annual basis. District representatives are proposed by the relevant authority and the Board then consider the proposed member at the Executive Board meeting at the nearest meeting following the recommendation being made.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
"The Organisation is established to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the community in the County of the local government district of Nottinghamshire" as per the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
RCANs core Mission/Vision is to achieve thriving and sustainable rural communities. Further aims utilised to fulfil this Mission are outlined in an annual Strategic Plan under the following priority areas: To help build thriving, resilient communities with the capacity and confidence to influence and deliver lasting impact through positive engagement and connection.
This mission guides the organisation both operationally in the short term and strategically towards a longer term plan, allowing RCAN to fulfil its charitable aims and crystallise its core offer to the communities we serve.
Page 2
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Objectives, strategies and activities**_
RCAN's main activities as set out by our RCAN's Strategy 2023-26 were as follows:
1. The development of an extension to our Town and Parish Council support through additional sold services and membership affiliation.
2. Deliver the outcomes and objectives as cited in our existing district Service Level Agreements. Whilst outcomes were met for this year, the Covid pandemic halted some planned delivery as we diverted support to Covid related emerging needs.
3. Community Consultation and Promotion - A re launch of 'paid for' membership affiliation continued throughout the year to attract additional opportunity.
4. Village Halls support service - This service grew rapidly during 2020-21 as community buildings utilised our support and guidance to respond to the ever changing Covid governmental guidance governing activity and small business and community groups operating from our Village Halls and Community Buildings. This service has continued to grow and the demand has increased as our reach widens.
5. Travelling Together - RCAN has managed a support service for Gypsy and Travellers across Nottinghamshire for 16 years. The funding for this work had significantly decreased in recent years as commission priorities altered. RCAN continued to protect a reduced input for specific pieces of support work and advice. The need for this service is evident and we worked hard to secure larger funding commitments to effectively support the capacity needed to deliver a wider and more effective service. This was realised as a Nottinghamshire County Council Local Communities bid was successful to deliver a four year project offering support for Gypsy and Travellers.
6. Management oversight of a Country Park, facilitating meaningful volunteering and local level support through local community groups and organisations.
## _**Public benefit**_
Communities feel more confident, informed and better resourced and to support social action for themselves by igniting or sustaining existing activity.
Community Buildings are connected to a professional and informed service and able to access both local and National best practice and individual advice for sustainability on a variety of levels.
Hard to reach or marginalised groups are better able to access services and support. Provision of green space and community accessible Country Park.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Key Activities and Achievements (2024-2025)**
During the year, RCAN delivered a range of impactful projects and services, each aligned with our mission to strengthen and empower rural and marginalised communities:
- Say Now Project - This initiative continued to inspire and mobilise community action, supporting local groups in building resilience and achieving sustainable success.
- Travelling Together - We provided critical, front-line support and immediate intervention services to Gypsy
- and Traveller communities, addressing urgent needs and promoting inclusion.
• Cluster Group Network - Our ongoing facilitation of this network brought member organisations together to exchange good practice, discuss shared challenges, and deliver joint training sessions and key communications.
- Rushcliffe and Bassetlaw Community Development Support - We delivered tailored support to the Rushcliffe
- and Bassetlaw districts under a Service Level Agreement (SLA), responding to specific rural community needs.
- Bespoke Officer Support - In addition to our core funded work, we offered customised officer time to support key community-led projects, providing expert guidance and capacity-building services.
Page 3
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Trustees' Report**
• Gedling Annual Parish Conference - Now in its second year, this commissioned project with Gedling Borough Council brought together Parish Councils from across the borough to collaborate, share knowledge, and engage with key stakeholders.
• UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - We contributed as panel representatives in Bassetlaw’s Rural UKSPF grant process, working alongside partner organisations to help allocate funding and oversee project delivery and governance.
• RCAN Membership- Throughout the year, we continued to support our member organisations through advisory services, project development assistance, and commissioned work that provided enhanced levels of tailored support. We now have nearly 100 members.
## **Spot Light on Successes**
## **Cluster Group Network**
RCAN continues to facilitate our established Cluster Group Network, bringing members together based on location, shared interests, training needs, or specific challenges. This approach enables participants to form cross-community connections and promotes collaboration across diverse areas of Nottinghamshire.
Each meeting is hosted in a different community facility, giving members the opportunity to see real-life examples of local venues in action. This not only fosters learning but also highlights the breadth and diversity of community activity taking place across the county.
The clusters typically focus on specific themes relevant to the operation and sustainability of community facilities. Topics explored during the year included:
- Energy Efficiency
- Marketing and Promotion
- Digital Inclusion
- Governance and Policy
- Effective Risk Assessment
- Funding and Income Generation
- Attracting and Retaining Volunteers
This work continues to strengthen a confident and capable network of volunteers. Our aim is to connect with all volunteers involved in managing community facilities and engage them in a way that brings to life the real challenges they face-ensuring that facilities remain sustainable, accessible, and responsive to local needs.
## **Broxtowe SAY Now Project**
Funded through the Broxtowe allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), this project delivered a year-long programme of dedicated officer support to community groups, with the aim of building lasting community capacity. The initiative adopted a catalyst approach, designed to ignite local action and empower communities to take ownership of ongoing development and sustainability.
A key focus of the project was to position community facilities as incubators and social hubs, places where residents, businesses, and local organisations could come together to collaborate and strengthen their local area. RCAN worked closely with volunteer management committees from the earliest stages through to project delivery, offering both practical and strategic support. Our support included:
Practical Support:
- Advocacy and needs assessments
- Good practice guidance and toolkits
- Bespoke training and resources
- On-the-ground officer presence
- Peer networking opportunities
- Advice on income generation and funding
- Marketing and promotion strategies
Page 4
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Trustees' Report**
Strategic Support:
- Strengthening governance structures
- Compliance with statutory and building management responsibilities
- Development of income strategies and business plans
- Initiatives for sustainability and growth
- Succession planning and fostering community ownership
- Building partnerships and local networks
## Project Outcomes:
Over the course of the year, the project achieved significant impact, including:
- Delivery of 5 formal training and networking events
- Physical improvements made to 13 community facilities
- Support for 40 volunteering opportunities
- Direct support provided to 15 individual community groups
• A well-attended Celebration Event showcasing the achievements and inspiring further action across Broxtowe, 48 volunteers representing 29 venues attended the event, which was organised to coincide with Village halls week. Notts TV, covered the event on their website, sending along their junior reporters to interview delegates. We took the opportunity to showcase a video highlighting the projects that RCAN have been involved with over the last year. The video can be viewed https://vimeo.com/1066413327/c1318dc3f6?share=copy To date it has received 648 views.
This project demonstrated the powerful role that community facilities and volunteers play in driving local resilience and sustainability, and highlighted the value of consistent, embedded officer support.
## **Financial review**
We are pleased to report a small surplus position at the close of this financial year, a significant achievement given the continued challenges within the wider funding landscape and the changing political environment. This outcome reflects prudent financial management, the dedication and hard work of our staff team, and the ongoing support of the communities we serve.
We extend our sincere thanks to our funders, whose support has enabled us to deliver vital services and respond directly to specific areas of need through targeted, restricted funding. Their investment has been instrumental in allowing us to maintain and grow our impact across Nottinghamshire.
We are also deeply grateful to all those who continue to champion our work, volunteers, partners, members, and stakeholders. Your belief in our mission and recognition of the difference we make in communities means everything to us.
Guided by our Vision and Values, and underpinned by integrity, passion, and community focus, we will continue to develop our services by actively listening and adapting our offer to ensure it remains relevant and impactful. With energy and purpose, we will pursue new opportunities that allow us to extend our reach and deepen our support, always keeping our communities at the heart of all we do.
## _**Policy on reserves**_
RCAN’s Reserves Policy 2024-25 stipulated a two months' operating expenditure should be retained in free reserves. Our 31st March 2025 position meets this target and assumes no issues with liquidity as a result.
Page 5
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Principal risks and uncertainties**_
## _Financial risks_
The Trustees regularly assess risks and uncertainties facing the organisation, recognising that effective risk management is essential to our sustainability and ability to serve communities. The principal risks identified during this reporting period include:
• Shifting Funding Priorities: Continued changes in the strategic direction of grant-giving bodies may limit the availability of infrastructure and core support funding, impacting our ability to plan and deliver long-term services.
• Financial Pressures on Member Groups: Many of our member organisations are experiencing increased operational and financial constraints, which may reduce their ability to access paid support services or maintain membership contributions, potentially affecting our income streams.
• Reductions in Public Sector Funding: Diminishing local and central government investment in the voluntary and community sector remains a critical concern. These reductions may limit opportunities for collaboration, commissioning, and grant funding, particularly in under-resourced rural areas.
• Political and Structural Change: The evolving political landscape at both national and local levels introduces uncertainty for the sector. In particular, the Local Government Reorganisation and emerging devolution arrangements present both risks and opportunities. These changes could significantly alter the way services are commissioned and delivered, potentially disrupting existing relationships and funding models. The impact on the voluntary sector's role, representation, and influence remains unclear, and we continue to monitor developments closely.
• Organisational Capacity: As a small charity, our ability to respond quickly to emerging needs or sudden opportunities is limited by available staff time and resource. This poses a risk in times of high demand or shifting priorities.
• Pension Scheme Liability: RCAN is a member of the Nottinghamshire County Council defined benefit pension scheme.
The Board remains committed to proactive risk management and scenario planning, ensuring RCAN stays resilient, agile, and prepared to navigate future changes in its operating environment.
Page 6
Rural Communlty Actlon Nottlnghamshlre
Trustees1 Report
Statement of Responslbllltle8
The trustees (who are also the directors of Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire for the purposes of
company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance wlth
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Iunited Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practieex including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland..
The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2(N)6
relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under cornpany law
the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a trne and fair view
of the state of affairs of the Charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources.
including its income and expenditure, of the charitabl¢ ¢ompany for that period In preparing these financial
statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting poltcies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
stste whether applicable accounting standards, compristng FRS 102 have been followe¢ subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements: and
prepare the financial statements on the goin8 Concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charitsble company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper aUting records that can disclose with reasonable accura¢y at
any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements
comply with the Companies ACÉ 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable
company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and dete¢tion of fraud and other irregularities.
The Intee$ are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the COTporate and financial inforntiOn
included OD the ¢haritable Companys website. Legislation governing the prepardtion and di&semination of
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdi¢tii)ns.
Small companies proviiion Statement
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies Tegime under the Companies Act 2(K)6.
271/0/2. Sand signed on its behalf by:
The am]uaJ report was approved by the ttvstees of the charity on
Adam Whitchurch
Trustee
Page 7
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire ('the Company')**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
## **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**
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 that in any material respect:
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.
Force
......................................
Eva Stevens, BSc, CPFA, employee of Community Accounting Plus member of the Association of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Units 1 & 2 North West 41 Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5GL
Date:............................. 27/10/25
Page 8
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
**Other recognised gains**
**and losses**
Actuarial gains/ (losses) on
defined benefit pension
schemes
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought
forward
Total funds carried forward
22|**Unrestricted**
**£**
44,085
45,892
1,706
91,683
(89,924)
(89,924)
1,759
-
1,759
313,273
315,032|**Restricted**
**£**
-
101,658
-
101,658
(101,658)
(101,658)
-
-
-
290,000
290,000|**Pension**
**reserve**
**fund**
**£**
-
-
-
-
(26,000)
(26,000)
(26,000)
448,000
422,000
(178,000)
244,000|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
44,085
147,550
1,706
193,341
(217,582)
(217,582)
(24,241)
448,000
423,759
425,273
849,032|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
55,039
150,688
1,355|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||207,082|
||||||(216,819)|
||||||(216,819)|
||||||(9,737)
147,000|
||||||137,263
288,010|
||||||425,273|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for the period is shown in note 22.
The notes on pages 12 to 26 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
## **These are the figures for the previous accounting period and are included for comparative purposes**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investment income
5
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
**Other recognised gains and**
**losses**
Actuarial gains/ (losses) on
defined benefit pension
schemes
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
22|**Unrestricted**
**£**
55,039
38,980
1,355
95,374
(74,111)
(74,111)
21,263
-
21,263
292,010
313,273|**Restricted**
**£**
-
111,708
-
111,708
(111,708)
(111,708)
-
-
-
290,000
290,000|**Pension**
**reserve fund**
**£**
-
-
-
-
(31,000)
(31,000)
(31,000)
147,000
116,000
(294,000)
(178,000)|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
55,039
150,688
1,355|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||207,082|
|||||(216,819)|
|||||(216,819)|
|||||(9,737)
147,000|
|||||137,263
288,010|
|||||425,273|
The notes on pages 12 to 26 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10
Rural Communlty Actlon NottlnghAmJhlre
(Reglstratlon number: 02118349)
Balanee Sheet as at 31 March 2025
2025
2024
Note
Flxed assets
Tangible assets
Investtnents
12
13
290.(KKI
290,IXX)
480,(KK>
480.IKK)
Current *ssets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
14
15
3,176
144,251
135519
138.479
147,427
Credltors: Amounts falling due wlthln one year
Net eurrent gssets
16
22.395
15,206
125,032
123273
Net assets excludlng pension Ilablllty
Pension seheme11gbility
Plet Sets Including pension Iiydbility
605,032
603273
20
244,0(M)
178,(KM)
849,032
425.273
Funds of the ¢harlty:
Pension regerve fund
244,(
(178.(JY))
Restrieted income funds
22
290,(KK)
290.0(Y)
Unrestrleted Iocome funds
Unre5tric*d
3J5.032
313273
Tot*1 funds
22
849.032
425273
Fw the fin]81 yetr ending 31 Mareh 2025 lh¢ ¢hÉrity was entitled to ex¢mption from 4udii UTbJBr seciion 477 of th¢ Comp•nies 21(
1*108 to srnall Comwiu.
Diredor¢ respcffj5ibilttie8:
The Jnemb¢rs ¥¢ not rquired the¢harity io obtsin •n audit of its accounts for the ye*r in question in 4ccorthwewith geclion47( atrj
The dirwtors Kknowl¢d$e their re4N)nsibililies for complying wilh the wuirem¢Thts of lh¢ Aci with t¢* r¢cord5
Tlw¢ Iwve iwi prepd in with the 8pe¢i41 provisiortq r¢l&iin8 to ¢ompanies wbject the
clpIn1 regi within Pan IS of the Compania Aci 2(.
ial statements on pages 9 to 26 were approved by th¢ Irust¢es, and authorised for issue on
.Afand signed on their behalf by:
Adam iVhitChuh
Truste¢
Th¢ not¢¥ on page8 12 to 26 forni an integral part of theso financial slalements.
PaBe 11
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal 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.
## **Statement of compliance**
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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis of preparation**
Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
Under the exemption available to smaller charities the Board of Trustees has chosen not to include a Statement of Cash Flows within the financial statements.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
## _**Grants receivable**_
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Page 12
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## _**Deferred income**_
Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:
- The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or - The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Government grants**
Government grants are recognised based on the accrual model and are measured at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Grants are classified as relating either to revenue or to assets. Grants relating to revenue are recognised in income over the period in which the related costs are recognised. Grants relating to assets are recognised over the expected useful life of the asset. Where part of a grant relating to an asset is deferred, it is recognised as deferred income.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £150.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
|**Asset class**|**Depreciation method and rate**|
|---|---|
|Motor vehicles|25% straight line|
|Fixtures & fittings|20% straight line|
|Computer equipment|33% straight line|
Page 13
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **Investment properties**
Investment property is carried at fair value, derived from the current market prices for comparable real estate determined annually by external valuers. The valuers use observable market prices, adjusted if necessary for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific asset. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Trade creditors**
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those grants for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Page 14
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **Pensions and other post retirement obligations**
The charity operates a defined benefit pension scheme. Typically defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation.
The liability recognised in the Balance Sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the reporting date minus the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is measured using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future payments by reference to market yields at the reporting date on high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability. Actuarial gains and losses are charged or credited to other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations from companies, trusts and similar
proceeds
Grants, including capital grants;
Government grants
Grants from other charities|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
3,505
-
40,580
44,085|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
3,505
-
40,580
44,085|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
5
14,454
40,580|
|---|---|---|---|
||||55,039|
## **3 Income from charitable activities**
|SLA income
Grants & donations
Membership fees
Sales
Wind Turbine income
Sundry income|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
-
-
5,194
5,861
28,500
6,337
45,892|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
31,000
70,658
-
-
-
-
101,658|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
31,000
70,658
5,194
5,861
28,500
6,337
147,550|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
28,500
83,208
7,220
3,057
27,572
1,131|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||150,688|
Page 15
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
|**4**
**Grants & donations**
Action with Communities in Rural England
LIS - Nottinghamshire Together
NE Energy One Ltd
University of Nottingham
Nottinghamshire County Council
Broxtowe Borough Council
Sundry donations
**5**
**Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income;
Interest receivable on bank deposits|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
40,580
-
-
3,500
-
-
5
44,085
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,706|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
27,333
7,500
-
19,825
16,000
-
70,658
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
1,706|**Total**
**£**
40,580
27,333
7,500
3,500
19,825
16,000
5|
|---|---|---|---|
||||114,743|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
1,355|
Page 16
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Staff costs
FRS102 Recognised
pension costs
Legal & professional
fees
Travel & subsistence
Repairs & maintenance
Rent, rates, insurance &
services
IT support &
maintenance
Grants given
Depreciation
Bank & credit card fees
External room hire &
storage fees
Office & general
expenses
Telephone
Printing, postage &
stationery
Publications &
subscriptions
Publicity & promotional
Sundry expenses
Hospitality
Training
Uniforms|**Unrestricted**
**General funds**
**£**
59,671
-
9,187
1,070
18
1,680
908
-
-
234
1,312
714
5,015
2,104
6,239
772
107
231
395
267
89,924|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Pension reserve**
**fund**
**£**
78,725
-
-
26,000
5,158
-
-
-
-
-
7,852
-
2,423
-
7,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
101,658
26,000|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
138,396
26,000
14,345
1,070
18
9,532
3,331
7,500
-
234
1,312
714
5,015
2,104
6,239
772
107
231
395
267
217,582|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
130,015
31,000
9,231
472
200
11,038
4,693
14,300
472
238
618
548
3,233
1,722
6,273
1,351
52
1,363
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||216,819|
**7 Net incoming/outgoing resources**
Net outgoing resources for the year include:
Depreciation of fixed assets
|**2025**||**2024**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**£**||**£**||
||-||472|
Page 17
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **8 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
## **9 Fees payable to independent examiner**
During the period, the fees payable (excluding VAT) to the charity’s independent examiner are analysed as follows:
|Independent examination
Other financial services
**10 Staff costs**
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
**Staff costs during the year were:**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
FRS102 pension service & interest costs|**2025**
**£**
1,260
1,440
2,700
**2025**
**£**
108,739
5,894
23,763
26,000
164,396|**2024**
**£**
1,210
1,470|
|---|---|---|
|||2,680|
|||**2024**
**£**
101,872
5,280
22,863
31,000|
|||161,015|
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
Average number of employees
|**2025**||**2024**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**No**||**No**||
||3||3|
3 (2024 - 3) of the above employees participated in the Defined Benefit Pension Schemes.
Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £23,763 (2024 - £22,863).
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £110,160 (2024 - £106,412).
Page 18
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **11 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **12 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2024
At 31 March 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024|**Land &**
**buildings**
**£**
290,000
290,000
-
-
290,000
290,000|**Fixtures &**
**fittings**
**£**
3,930
3,930
3,930
3,930
-
-|**Motor vehicles**
**£**
14,568
14,568
14,568
14,568
-
-|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
12,321
12,321
12,321
12,321
-
-|**Total**
**£**
320,819|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||320,819|
||||||30,819|
||||||30,819|
||||||290,000|
||||||290,000|
Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £290,000 (2024 - £290,000) in respect of freehold land which is not depreciated, and £Nil (2024 - £Nil) in respect of leaseholds. The acquisition of the freehold land was funded by a grant. The conditions of the grant impose restrictions on the use of the land. There are also restrictions on the free sale or mortgage of the land.
Page 19
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **13 Fixed asset investments**
|**13 Fixed asset investments**|||
|---|---|---|
|Investment properties
**Investment properties**|**2025**
**£**
190,000|**2024**
**£**
190,000|
||||
|**Cost or Valuation**
At 1 April 2024
**Provision**
At 31 March 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024|**Investment**
**properties**
**£**
190,000|
|---|---|
||-|
||190,000|
||190,000|
The property was valued in 2018 by W A Barnes LLP, Chartered Surveyors, on an open market value for existing use basis.
The value of the land leased out to tenants is separately identifiable from the building and can be measured reliably, therefore this has been classed as investment property.
## **14 Debtors**
|**14 Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
|Prepayments
**15 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash on hand
Cash at bank|**2025**
**£**
3,176
**2025**
**£**
404
143,847
144,251|**2024**
**£**
2,960|
|||**2024**
**£**
404
135,115|
|||135,519|
Page 20
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income|**2025**
**£**
4,115
2,427
428
5,425
10,000
22,395|**2024**
**£**
6,014
4,867
428
3,897
-|
|---|---|---|
|||15,206|
## **17 Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts**
## **Operating lease commitments**
Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
|**Printers/photocopiers/telephones**
Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years|**2025**
**£**
4,055
9,921
-
13,976|**2024**
**£**
4,443
12,558
1,417|
|---|---|---|
|||18,418|
## **18 Charity status**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
## **19 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions in the year.
Page 21
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **20 Pension and other schemes**
## **Defined benefit pension schemes Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund**
The charity participates in the Nottinghamshire County Council Pension Fund, a multi-employer defined benefit final salary scheme. The scheme is administered for the benefit of Local Authority employees and other bodies and is managed in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013. The administering authority for the Fund is Nottinghamshire County Council.
Contributions to the scheme are determined with advice of independent qualified actuaries on the basis of triennial valuations using the projected unit method.
The date of the most recent comprehensive actuarial valuation was 31 March 2022. In accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102), the actuaries have undertaken a valuation of the assets and liabilities of the scheme at 31 March 2025. Pension scheme assets are measured using market values. Pension scheme liabilities are measured using a projected unit method. The “present value of scheme liabilities” has been arrived at by projecting the results of the last full valuation as at 31 March 2022 forward to 31 March 2025.
The total cost relating to defined benefit schemes for the year recognised in profit or loss as an expense was 26,000 (2024 - £31,000).
## _**Reconciliation of scheme assets and liabilities to assets and liabilities recognised**_
The amounts recognised in the statement of financial position are as follows:
|The amounts recognised in the statement of financial position are as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
|Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation
Defined benefit pension scheme surplus/(deficit)
**_Defined benefit obligation_**|**2025**
**£**
2,737,000
(2,493,000)
244,000|**2024**
**£**
2,712,000
(2,890,000)|
|||(178,000)|
||||
Changes in the defined benefit obligation are as follows:
|Present value at start of year
Current service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial gains and losses
Benefits paid
Contributions by scheme participants
Present value at end of year|**2025**
**£**
2,890,000
17,000
139,000
(455,000)
(105,000)
7,000|
|---|---|
||2,493,000|
Page 22
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## _**Fair value of scheme assets**_
Changes in the fair value of scheme assets are as follows:
|Fair value at start of year
Interest income
Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in interest income/(expense)
Employer contributions
Contributions by scheme participants
Benefits paid
Administration expenses
Fair value at end of year|**2025**
**£**
2,712,000
131,000
(31,000)
24,000
7,000
(105,000)
(1,000)|
|---|---|
||2,737,000|
## _**Analysis of assets**_
The major categories of scheme assets are as follows:
|**_Analysis of assets_**
The major categories of scheme assets are as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
|Cash and cash equivalents
Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Property
Other bonds
Inflation - linked pooled fund and infrastructure|**2025**
**£**
149,000
1,514,000
227,000
281,000
176,000
390,000
2,737,000|**2024**
**£**
163,000
1,727,000
65,000
288,000
135,000
334,000|
|||2,712,000|
The pension scheme has not invested in any of the charity's own financial instruments or in properties or other assets used by the charity.
## _**Principal actuarial assumptions**_
The principal actuarial assumptions at the statement of financial position date are as follows:
|Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Inflation
**_Post retirement mortality assumptions_**
Current UK pensioners at retirement age - male
Current UK pensioners at retirement age - female
Future UK pensioners at retirement age - male
Future UK pensioners at retirement age - female|**2025**
**%**
5.80
3.90
2.90
3.20
**2025**
**Years**
20.00
23.00
22.00
25.00|**2024**
**%**
4.90
3.95
2.95
3.25|
|---|---|---|
|||**2024**
**Years**
21.00
24.00
22.00
25.00|
Page 23
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **21 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Pension scheme liability
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Pension scheme liability
Total net assets|**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
-
190,000
147,427
(22,395)
-
315,032
**Unrestricted**
**General**
**£**
-
190,000
138,479
(15,206)
-
313,273|**Restricted**
**£**
290,000
-
-
-
-
290,000
**Restricted**
**£**
290,000
-
-
-
-
290,000|**Pension**
**reserve fund**
**£**
-
-
-
-
244,000
244,000
**Pension**
**reserve fund**
**£**
-
-
-
-
(178,000)
(178,000)|**2025**
**Total funds**
**£**
290,000
190,000
147,427
(22,395)
244,000|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||849,032|
|||||**2024**
**Total funds**
**£**
290,000
190,000
138,479
(15,206)
(178,000)|
|||||425,273|
Page 24
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
## **22 Funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Land Fund
Local Communities Fund -
GRT (NCC)
Nottinghamshire Together
Rushcliffe SLA
Bassetlaw SLA
Wind Turbine Community
grant
Broxtowe Say Now
Gedling SLA
**Total restricted funds**
**Other funds**
Pension reserve fund
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2024**
**£**
313,273
290,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
290,000
(178,000)
(178,000)
425,273|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
91,683
-
19,825
27,333
18,500
10,000
7,500
16,000
2,500
101,658
-
-
193,341|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(89,924)
-
(19,825)
(27,333)
(18,500)
(10,000)
(7,500)
(16,000)
(2,500)
(101,658)
(26,000)
(26,000)
(217,582)|**Other**
**recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
448,000
448,000
448,000|**Balance at**
**31 March**
**2025**
**£**
315,032
290,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||290,000|
||||||244,000|
||||||244,000|
||||||849,032|
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
Local Communities Fund – GRT (NCC) - the funding offers support and advice to the Gypsy and Traveller Community.
Nottinghamshire Together - this project is for infrastructure support to community groups, community buildings committees etc.
Rushcliffe SLA – for the administration of the Rushcliffe Annual Town and Parish Conference, and the governance and funding advice to community groups.
Bassetlaw SLA – governance and funding advice to community groups. Gedling SLA - governance and funding advice to community groups.
Wind turbine community grant – this fund is paid to RCAN as part of the planning permission for the wind turbine. It is all paid out to Annesley Parish Council, Newstead Parish Council and Friends of Newstead and Annesley Country Park as a community grant.
Broxtowe Say Now – working within our communities to needs assess, plan, and develop projects, supporting groups to feel confident to maintain action for themselves and into the future.
Page 25
## **Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025**
_**These are the figures for the previous accounting period and are included for comparative purposes:**_
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General fund
**Restricted**
Land Fund
Local Communities Fund -
GRT (NCC)
Nottinghamshire Together
Rushcliffe SLA
Bassetlaw SLA
Wind Turbine Community
grant
Rushcliffe Say Now
**Total restricted funds**
**Other funds**
Pension reserve fund
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2023**
**£**
292,010
290,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
290,000
(294,000)
(294,000)
288,010|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
95,374
-
19,825
27,333
18,500
10,000
7,500
28,550
111,708
-
-
207,082|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(74,111)
-
(19,825)
(27,333)
(18,500)
(10,000)
(7,500)
(28,550)
(111,708)
(31,000)
(31,000)
(216,819)|**Other**
**recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
147,000
147,000
147,000|**Balance at**
**31 March**
**2024**
**£**
313,273
290,000
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||290,000|
||||||(178,000)|
||||||(178,000)|
||||||425,273|
Page 26