Charity Registratlon number: 700738 Company Registration number: 1843226 Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report and Financlal Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 Merseyside Youth Associatlon Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Contents Page Legal and Administrative Information Trustees, Report 4-16 Independent Auditor's Report 17-19 Statement of Financial Activities and Income and Expenditure Account 20 Balance Sheet 21 Statement of Cashflows 22 Notes to the Financial Statements 23-38 Merseyside Youth Association Llmited {Limited by Guarantee) Charlty Information Charity Name.. Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Charity Registration Number.. 700738 Company Registration Number: 1843226 Governing Document.. Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 23 August, 1984 as amended in 1985 and 2000. Registered Office: Abney Building 65-67 Hanover Street Liverpool L13DY Principal Business Address: Abney Building 65-67 Hanover Street Liverpool L13DY Directorsrrrustees: P. Boyce D. Cooke R. T. Dears A. Gibbons (Chairperson) P. Moonan P. Singleton (Treasurer) D. R. Swaffield Company Secretary.. G. Bainbridge Chief Executive: G. Bainbridge Accountants", Sloan Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants PO Box 9657 Wilmslow SK9 OLD Auditor.. Collins & Co. Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants Suite 13, Hattersley House 1 Hattersley Court Off Burscough Road Omiskirk L39 2AY Bankers.. HSBC plc 99-101 Lord Street Liverpool L2 6PG Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Llmited (Llmlted by Guarantee) Charity Information (continued) Solicitors: Brabners Chaffe Street WorkNest Horton House Woodhouse Exchange Flags Church Lane Liverpool Aldford L2 3YL Chester CH3 6JD Investment Managers.. Limited Rathbones Incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment Port of Liverpool Building Brunswick Street Liverpool L3 1 NW Merseyside Youth Association Llmited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31st March 2025 The trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for th8 charity for the year ended 3181 March 2025, Reference and administrative details The details ar8 set out on page 2. Dlrectors and their interests The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. The directors who acted during the year are as stated below.. P. BoyGe D. Cooke R. T. Dears A. Gibbons J. C, Lewys-Lloyd (resigned 12 December 2024) P. Moonan P Singleton (appointed 12 December 2024) D. R. Swaffield P. Boyce and D. Cooke retire by rotation, and being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Acknowledgement of Former Treasurer The Board wishes to record its deep appreciation for the outstanding se￿1￿ and commitment of our fomier Treasurer, John Lewys-Lloyd, who sadly passed away recently. John continued to serve throughout the 2024125 financial year, having dedicated more than 15 years to the charity. His guidance and stability were invaluable during some of the most challenging periods in our history. Although he expressed a wish to step down several years earlier, John generously remained in post until a suitable SuC￿880r was appointed, ensuring continuity and support when it was most needed. He formally resigned at the 2024 AGM, and the charity is profoundly grateful for his eX￿ptiOnal contribution and lasting legacy. Structure Governance and Mana ement Governing document Merseyside Youth Association Limited is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 23rd August 1984 as amended in 1985 and 2000. The company is registered in England. It is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. Every member of the charity promises, if the charity is dissolved while slhe remains a member or within 12 months aftenNards to put up to £1 towards the cost of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the charity while the contributor was a member. Appointment of Trustees The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles of Association are known as the Board of Directors, Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Trustees are eligible, as the Board of Directors, to appoint additional trustees. As set out in the Articles of Association, trustees are elected at the AGM. There will be more than five, but no more than nine trustees, A third of the trustees must retire at each AGM, the longest in office retiring first. Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Limited (Llmlted by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31st March 2025 (cont.) Appointment of Trustees (continued) The trustees can co-opt any duly qualified person to be appointed as a trustee to fill a vacancy, but a co-opted trustee will hold office only until the next AGM, When considering the co-option of a trustee, the Board has regard to the requirements of any specialist skills needed, All new trustees will have to complete an application form including a skills audit. The Chair and Treasurer and other honorary officers will be appointed by the trustees from among their number at the next general meeting after the AGM. Trustees inductlon and training New trustees receive an induction pack including information on the roles and responsibilities of trusteeship. It includes a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Executive Summary of the Business Plan, a copy of the latest Annual Impact Report and Annual Trustees Report and Financial Statements. New trustees meet with the Chief Executive to brief them on the operation of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these facilitate the undertaking of their role. Organisation The Board of Trustees, which can have up to nine members, administers the charity. The Board meet quarterly. The Board Gonvenes sub-groups for specific purposes 1.8. Finance and Risk, Propety (quarterly), Fundraising and Partnerships, and Safeguarding (bi-annually). Additional sub- group meetings are arranged as and when required. A Chief Executive is appointed by the trustees to manage and strategically develop the day-to-day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive has delegated aLrthority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and aGtivity related to the direct work with young people. Partner organisations The Charity has a close relationship with VS6, which is a partnership of support organisations working with 11,500 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups operating across Liverpool City Region. It works to champion the vital role of our sector in the future of the city region, seeking to shape local policy and implementation for the benefit of our communities. This includes the Combined Authority and the Metro Mayor. As a member of VS6, we also work closely with the local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and other infrastructure organisations. VS6 has an agreed manifesto and action plan which aims to offer solutions to some of the most challenging economic issues faGing our city region, drive community-centred approaches to tran8foming health and wellbeing and to provide a single point of Gontact for the city's Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise Sector (VCFSE). The CEO is a trustee and treasurer of Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), the regional voluntary sector network for the North West. It is a membership organisation that connects to the region's VCFSE sector through infrastructure organisations, equalities networks and large regional and national providers. We continue our partnership with LCVS, Sefton CVS, St Helens and Halton CVA, One Knowsley and Community Action Wirral to coordinate the infrastructure offer aGross the city region. The charity is also a member of UK Youth and is a member of Youth Focus North West and is part of their StrategiG Leads group. The Charity has developed strategic links across Liverpool City Region, inGluding LCR Employment and Skills team and UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) Providers group. Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 St March 2025 (cont.) Partner organlsatlons (contlnued) We have also maintained our close strategic links with the Department of Work and Pensions including delivering a Youth Employment Hub at MYA'S city centre headquarters, with co-located DWP work coaches. This includes membership of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Youth Hub Network. The Charity has strategic links with Child, Adolescent, Mental Health Services (CAMHS) including membership of the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Partnership Board and is a member of the Sefton Emotional Achievement servi￿ (SEAS) consortium which aims to offer emotional wellbeing support for children, young people, and their families in Sefton, The Charity has continued its work with Liverpool City Council in membership of the Fairer, Healthier Liverpool Group, with a focus on Liverpool gaining Marmot City Status. MYA has embedded strong and effective strategic and operational partnerships linked to the delivery of Knowsley's Targeted Youth Offer. This includes membership of the Knowsley Children and Families Board, and participation in network meetings in relation to several strategies including stronger Communities, Domestic Abuse, Vulnerable Children, Health and Wellbeing, Anti-social Behaviour (ASB), Care Leavers and Crirne and Communities team meetings. We remain members of the Health Watch Community Engagement Group and the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Social Care Leadership Group, supporting the engagement of the VCS in the Health agenda across the region, representing the needs and issues of young people, The CEO is also a VCS representative on Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Children and Young People's Committee taking a systemic, multi4isciplinary approach to meeting the health needs of children and young people. She is also a member of the Cheshire and Merseyside VCSE Children & Young People's Network group which seeks to connect the wider sector with the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) and to identify and address priority issues across the ICB footprint. MYA has funding relationships with Liverpool City Council (Targeted Youth Support Service and Sports and Recreation servi￿), Knowsley Council, Sefton Council, Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, UK Shared Prosperity Fund (managed through the Combined Authority), UK Youth, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, Liverpool Learning Partnership, Youth Music, Cornmunity Foundation Lancashire and Merseyside, Sefton Council for Voluntary Services, Liverpool CVS, National Citizens Service (Open via Youth Fed and targeted), National Lottery Communities Fund (Reaching Communities), Sefton and Know8ley Holidays Activities and Food (HAF) programmes, Department of Work and Pensions (Flexible Support Fund). Maria Tapioca is our new Gafé provider, selling horne-cooked food with a Brazilian twist. Cohens Chemist remains a tenant at Gordon Youth Centre, alongside Motiv8 who are operating their alternative education provision at the premises. Leisure United is providing football and leisure services from Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields. All our tenants have abided by Government legislation and guidelines in relation to their opening and delivery of services. Each project has operational links and partnerships with a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies within their communities (including communities of identity) to enable a more effective and co-ordinated service for young people. Talent Match has a number of delivery partners, including Youth Federation, Listening Ear and The Brain Charity, procured to deliver targeted seNices, via an SLA. They also micro commission a wide range of organisations who provide personal and social development opportunities for young people. Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Limited {Llmlted by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 315t March 2025 (cont.) Partner organlsatlons {continued> This year, we established a valuable partnership with fundraiser Lauren Evans to strengthen our corporate fundraising efforts and events. Lauren has a strong track record in driving business growth, with extensive experience in charitable fundraising. Risk management The Charity continues to implement its established Health and Safety policy as well as procedures to ensure that risks are minimised for both staff and young people in all aspects of its work. These include Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures, risk assessment of activities (on and off site), administration of medication policy and procedure and a separate residential policy. WorkNest provide external Health and Safety advice and undertake annual premises audits and monitor progress against action plans. Our internal HR function provide regular Health and Safety update briefings to all Project managers and Goordinators. Information is disseminated at the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team meetings. Health and safety is a standing agenda item on the Board meetings, Senior Management Team meetings as well as team meeting8 and within supervision sessions. A rolling programme of Health and Safety training is delivered to staff members including risk assessment, first aid and fire marshal training as well as other modules of the e-Learning Health and Safety training. The Charity has reviewed its insurance needs at May 2025 to ensure appropriate cover for all charitable activities. The Charity has a reserves policy, which is regularly reviewed by the trustees to ensure sustainability. Reserves policy It is the long-term intention of the Trustees to build up our unrestricted reserves so that they represent the equivalent of twelve months, worth of running expenses. It is also the intention of the trustees to hold an additional sum, equivalent to three months, worth of restricted expenditure, in unrestricted reseNes. These objectives have been met. The total of unrestricted reserves currently stands at £4,218,626 and restricted reserves at the year-end date total £43,913, Ob'ectlvas The objects of the charity a￿,. To provide and co-ordinate, in the interests of social welfare, facilities for recreation and other leisure- time occupation for young people in Merseyside who have need for such facilities because of their youthfulness, infirmity or disablement, poverty, or social and economic circumstances, so as to develop their physical, mental, and spiritual capacities, that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society. Public Benefit Statement INhen planning our activities for the year, the charity considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Vision Liverpool City Region has young people who are able to leam, adapt, and thrive in their communities with pride, belief, hope, independence, and resilience. Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31st March 2025 (cont.) Mission Our mission is to co-create positive and lasting change in the lives of Merseyside's young people. Values: Young Person Centred Inclusive, Adaptable and AC￿Ssible Responsive and Flexible Friendly and Non-judgemental Challenging and Rewarding Supportive and Developmental Effective and Efficient Offer: MYA is a trusted presence in the lives of young people, delivering community-based projects that support, inspire, and empower. Our core aims are" To give every child and young person the best start in life To foster a sense of belonging and inclusion To inspire young people to reach their full potential To equip children and young people with the skills and Confiden￿ to take control of their lives To contribute to the development of healthy, safe, and sustainable communities To build a skilled, positive and inclusive workforce, promoting fair employment in youth ServI￿S At MYA, we use a person-centred, holistic approach that supports young people through every stage of life. Our work is trauma-informed and designed to meet individual needs, building resilience and promoting wellbeing through a range of youth-focused activities. Our Core Activities Include: Centre-based and Detached Youth Work < Groupwork. Schools Engagement. and 1.1 Support Youth Volce and participation rj Music and PerformingArts Outdoor Educatlon J Workforce development and tralnlng Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31st March 2025 (cont.) These activities aim to.. Connect Connectyoung people and reduce social isolation Improve Improve health, lifestyles, relationships and social learning Support Support emotional wellbeing. creativity, and positive coping strategies Encourage Encourage identity exploration and a sense of belonging Promote Promote pro-social behaviour, inclusion, and diversity Raise Raise aspirations and support personal development Build Build essential life skills and improve social and emotional literacy Develop Develop skills and enhance employability Through our work, MYA is committed to helping young people thrive-personally, socially, and educationally-while contributing to a fairer and more inclusive society. Our Achievements Vision, Values and Strategy This year, we have worked hard to promote our mission and vision both within the organisation and across our wider networks. These efforts were exemplified through our Impact Report, our website, and by achieving Fair Employment Charter status. To strengthen governance, our Board of Trustees transitioned to quarterly meetings, ensuring more effective oversight and strategic leadership. We established dedicated sul>committees focusing on Finance and Risk, Premises, Fundraising, and Partnership and Safeguarding. These groups have helped streamline reporting, maintain strategic direction. and improve overall scrutiny. In addition, we welcomed a new Treasurer to the Board. reinforcing our financial leadership and expertise. Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limlted by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 St March 2025 (cont.) People and Culture We have revitalised several key internal processes to enhance our people-focused approach. New systems were introduced for recruitment and sel8Ction, induction, and a refreshed salary grading matrix to ensure fairness and transparency. Performance management practices were made more consistent aGross the organisation, and we placed greater emphasis on staff wellbeing through a range of activities throughout the year. The creation of a Staff Wellbeing Group demonstrated our commitment to fostering a supportive and positive workplace Culture. Key Policies and Procedures Maintaining high standards has remained a priority, and we were pleased to retain our ISO 9001 certification, the Matrix IAG standard, and DSPT compliance. Our use of technology was enhanced through improv8d deployment of systems such as our HR data platform, SharePoint for collaboration, and the Charity Log CRM for better data management. Alongside these improvements, we updated our Employee Handbook and contracts of employment, intrOdU￿d enhanced financial systems and procedures, revised our Disaster Contingency Policy, and developed a comprehensive GDPR mapping document to ensure compliance and readiness. Reach and Engagement Our impact this year was extensive, with engagement from over 8,000 individual young people and more than 195,000 recorded contacts. We have continued to prioritise inclusivity and equity by setting and monitoring equalities targets across all our programmes and services. Currlculum Offer We continued to deliver safe, welcoming spaces where young people can acGess support to meet their basic needs and participate in programmes tailored to their development. Our projects fostered connection and reduced social isolation, enabling young people to build healthy peer relationships, explore their identities, and engage in activities that supported wellbeing, resilience, and creativity. Through our curriculum, we promoted diversity, pra-social behaviour, and anti4iscriminatory practices. Young people developed essential life skills, increased their aspirations, and enhanced their social and emotional wellbeing in an environment that encouraged belonging and positive progression. Youth Voice Youth participation remained central to our work. We empowered young people to actively shape the services they reGeive, ensuring that their voices were heard and acted upon. Our staff were trained in the Lundy Framework of participation, embedding meaningful engagement across all levels of the organisation. Young people were supported to lead and influence through a broad range of consultation, co-design, and participatory activities, reinforcing our commitment to youth-led practice. Communications We strengthened our communication efforts through the successful completion of building branding projects, creating a consistent and professional visual identity. Our successes were showcased through targeted campaigns, impact-focused outcome reporting, engaging events, and a refreshed online presence via our website. 10 Merseyside Youth Association Limlted (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 315t March 2025 (cont.) Partnership and Advocacy Our approach to partnership working has been dynamic and strategic. We maintained strong partnerships while expanding our network to support transitions and build multidisciplinary collaborations capable of delivering transfomiative interventions. Through constructive support and challenge, we helped partners uphold best practices and worked together to champion systemic change through a rights-based lens. The formation of a Board sub-committee on partnerships has further enhanced our ability to advocate effectively and collaboratively, Premlses and Facilities We undertook a review of all our leasehold buildings and agreements, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and aligned with our strategic goals, The Property Sub-committee provided valuable oversight, helping to balan￿ organisational needs with the opportunity to support the wider local sector through shared facilities. Key developments included the relocation of staff from the third to the fourth floor at our Head Office in Hanover Street, the installation of solar panels, and the completion of a kitchen refurbishment at SPACE, contributing to both sustainability and service quality. Financlal Growth To support long-term financial sustainability, we implemented a 100/0 administration fee on bids exceeding £5,000 that did not include Full Cost Recovery. We set clear earned income targets and tracked progress against them, demonstrating a proactive approach to income generation. An external fundraiser was engaged to enhance our fundraising capacity, contributing to increased success in securing corporate sponsorship through events. Additionally, we collaborated closely with funders to evaluate our organisational capacity, resulting in secured funding for both fundraising strategy and property development consultancy. Risk Management This year, we made progress in developing an organisational risk register to support the proactive management of strategic and operational risks. We undertook Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAS) and continued to monitor our financial reserves and foNard projections into 2025126, helping to maintain financial stability and prepare for potential future Ghallenges. Outputs The charity has worked with 8,218 different young people, with 195,314 Gontads across 6 different local authority areas this year. We worked with 3,001 more young people this year than last year. most.of our projects work with young people regularly throughout the year, to build relationships and feelings of belonging. On average, each young person attends 23 times per year. li Merseyslde Youth Assoclation Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 st March 2025 (cont.) Outputs (continued) Equality data. 45.20/ts of the cohort identify as male 39.90/c* identify as female 1.20/0 identify as non-binary 11.90/0 of our cohort were frorn Black, Asian and Minoritized Ethnic Communities 3.6 % of our cohort identified at LGBTQ 16.9 % of our young people identified as disabled Age.. 160/0 of our young people were aged between 0-11 560/0 were aged between 12-16 23Q/o were aged 17-21 50/c* were over 21 years We have provided training to 3,943 different organisationslprofessionals reflecting our reputation and innovation in relation to mental health. We have worked with 515 partner and referral agencies, once again demonstrating our breadth of partnership, again aligned with our business plan objectives. Outcomes This year we have enabled 558 young people to enter training, education cr work and a further 538 have gained a qualification as a direct ￿SuIt of our work. MYA creates positive change in the lives of young people. Our work delivers the following long-term outcomes: Enhanced employability Improved health and emotional wellbeing Increased confidence and self esteem Enhan￿d personal and social skills Raised aspiration and achieving learning goals Created independence directly through transferrable skills Finance MYA'S annual income has increased by £123,687 in this financial year and reseNes have increased by £1,015,504., much of that increase is attributable to the capital grant income retsived in the year totalling £1,196,259, for improvements at MYA SPACE. Excluding that capital grant income, annual income has fallen by £1,072,572, reflecting the difficult climate within which we continue to operate. Despite that, projects have been investing in direct work with young people, that reduced income being met with a decrease in expenditure of £964,117. The rise in investments, totalling £3,616. has also contnbuted to that increase in reserves. Despite a difficult climate we have sought to maintain a diverse range of income generatlon strands. Our'spread. of funding is such that 680k has Gome from grants induding European funding, Charitable Trusts, Foundations and public sector grants. Our income from Local Authorities has fallen very slightly in absolute terms, remaining con8iStent at 23 % of our total income. 12 Merseyside Youth Association Llmlted (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 315t March 2025 (cont.) Finance (continued) Our income from sales {training, project and programme income) and hire of facilities has remained relatively stable this year, reducing slightly from 7.6tsA to 7.4Q/o of overall income. Hire of facilities and tenancy rentals alone has increased by £38,607 reflecting the increased use of our Hanover Street HQ and Our Place facility in Knowsley. Income from donations and legacies and from investments (together) has reduced by £3,247, as income from donations and legacies has fallen and income from investments has increased slightly. Plans for tha Future As part of our commitment to continuous improvement and long-term impact, MYA has identified ten strategic areas for development and established SMART targets for each. These priorities a designed to strengthen our organisation, enhance outcomes for young people, and ensure sustainability and resilience across all operations. Our focus areas and corresponding actions for the coming year are outlined below: 1. Vision, Values and Strategy We will continue to embed our mission and vision both internally and externally through key communication channels, including our Impact Report, website, and promotion of our Fair Employment Charter status. The Board of Trustees aims to strengthen its strategic leadership by streamlining reporting, improving the function of sub-committees, maintaining strategic SGrutiny, and diversifying board membership. 2. People and Culture We aim to nurture a supportive and inclusive work environment by implementing wellbeing initiatives such as staff-led activities, regular wellbeing walks, and a themed full-staff conference. Our Equality and Diversity group will be reinvigorated to deliver an action plan and annual calendar of events, We will also enhanGe key HR policies, retain external quality marks, and improve systems and documentation, including updating our Employee Handbook, GDPR mapping, and disaster contingency procedures. 3. Reach and Engagement Our target is to engage with 5,400 young people and facilitate 130,000 meaningful contacts annually. We aim for 940/0 of young people to report positive progression through the MYA outcome tool. Additionally, we will implement equalities monitoring, roll out a new CRM system, develop a data dashboard for Board oversight, and apply data insights to improve our reach. 13 Merseyslde Youth Association Limited (Limlted by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 318t March 2025 {cont.) Plans for the future (continued) 4. Youth Volce Empowering young people remains central to our mission. We will develop diverse youth voice platforms, implement the Lundy Framework, and Greate mechanisms to demonstrate our response to youth feedback ("You said, we did"). We will ensure that youth voice informs our campaigns, curriculum, and seNice delivery. 5. Communicatlons A full audit of our communications and social media will be conducted, supported by the establishment of a cross-organisational Comms group. A staff conference will focus on improving intemal and external communication. We will strengthen our messaging to engage corporate supporters and showcase our achievements across campaigns, outcomes, and events including the Liverpool Tennis Tournament and MYA Golf Day. 6. Partnership and Advocacy We aim to maintain and expand our partnerships, working across disciplines to deliver life- changing interventions. By advocating for systemic change and promoting a rights-based approach, we aim to influence best practic88 in the sector. We will also support Youth Centre trustees in building capacity and assuming lease responsibilities. 7. Premlses and Facllities A mapping exercise of our leasehold properties will be completed and will work towards concluding outstanding lease negotiations. Through our Propety Sub-committee, we will seek to maximise the value and impact of our assets, including potential asset transfer8 of a number of Youth Centres. A planned review aims to help our facilities better support income generation, improve adaptability, and enhance spatial efficiency where possible. 8. Financial Sustainability A dedicated Fundraising professional will lead the development of a strategy to grow Given Income" by £130,000 overthree years. We will continue to explore new funding opportunities, set earned income targets, optimise the use of MYA facilities, and bring accountancy services in-house to reduce central costs. An upgraded financial system will enhance efficiency and financial oversight. 14 Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31st March 2025 (cont.) Plans for the future (continued) 9. Risk Management Risk management will be embedded throughout the organisation. We will maintain and refresh our risk register, strengthen succession planning, monitor income diversification, and undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAS). Revised risk assessment tools and quarterly ISO non-conformance reviews will ensure a proactive approach. Risk management will also feature centrally in Board sub-committee planning. Knowledge transfer and Gapacity-building across staff and governance structures will help future-proof MYA and sustain organisational memory. 15 Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Limlt8d (Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report for the year ended 31 St March 2025 (cont.) Trustees, res onslbilities in relation to the financial statements Company and charity 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 group and its surplus or deficit for that year, In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., Obsenie the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable Accounting Standards and Statement8 of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to the departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and Prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements Gomply with FRS 102. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In accordan￿ with company law, as the company's directors, we certify that,. So far as we are aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the charity's auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the auditors are unaware., and As the directors of the company, we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that infomiation. Auditor In accordance with section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006, Collins & Co. are deemed to be reappointed as auditor to the company for the ensuing year. This report is prepared in accordan with the speGial provision of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to small companies. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 11 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by.. Ms Gill Bainbridge Secretary 16 Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Independent AUdit0￿S Report to the Members and Trustees of Merseyside Youth Association Limited We have audited the financial ststemenls of Merseyside Youth Association Limited for the year ended 31st March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities and Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet and Ihe related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel, including FRS 102"The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of I reland" In our opinion, the financial statemenls,. Give a true and fairview ofthe state ofthe company's affairs as at 31st March 2025, and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year Ihen ended. Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounling Practice., and Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. Basis for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISA'S (UK)) an applicable law. Our responsibilities under Ihose standards are further described in the Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including FRC'S Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical respcnsibiSities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for cur opinion. Conclusions relatlng to golng concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significanl doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least ￿e1ve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevanl sections of this report, Other Inforniation The trustees are responsible for the other information which comprises Ihe Trustees, Report, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors Ihereon. Our opinion on the financial stalemenls does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otheNise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance canclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial ststements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information 18 materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or Oihemise appears to be materially misststed. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the olher information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude thal there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report thai fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Opinion on other matters prescrlbed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the wcrk undertaken in the course of the audit,, the information given in the Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the directors, report prepared for the purpose of Company Law> for the financial year for which the financial stateTnents are prepared is consislent wilh the financial statements. and the Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the directors, report prepared forthe purpose of Company Lawl has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 17 Merseyside Youth Assoclatlon Llmlted (Limited by Guarantee) Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of Merseyside Youth Association Limited {cont.) Matters on which w8 are required to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report lo you if, in our opinion- adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept. or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us. or the financial statements are nol in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or certain disclosures of trustees rernuneration specified by law are not made., or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit the trustees were not entilled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the srnall companies regime and take advantage of the small companies, exemption in preparing Ihe Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the direGtors' repcrt prepared for the purpose of Company Law). Resp¢nslbllltles of trustees As explained more fully in the Trustees, Responsibilities Statemenl (set out on page 16), the trustees (who are also the direGtors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation cf the financial slatemenls and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees delermine necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible forassessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, éisclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to wind up the charity or to cease operations, or have nc realistic altemative to do so. Audltors, responslbllitles for the audlt of the flnanclal statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whelher due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISA'S (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually, or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basi5 of these financial statemenls. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, lo detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below. The extent to which the audil was considered capable of d8t6Cting irregularities, including fraud Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows.. the Senior Statutory Auditor ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non Notes to the Flnanclal Statements for the year ended 318t March 2025 (cont.) 19 Transfers between funds (Gontinued) The most significant net transfers from designated unr8Stricted funds in the year are as below: £31,516 was transferred from designated unrestricted funds to restricted funds to support a related project that had incurred a deflclt In the year. £100,000 (2024,. £Nil) was transferred from designated unrestricted funds to the general unrestricted fund in respect of on8 project with a carried forward surplus. there was also a transfer of £33,420 from restricted funds to designated unrestricted funds in respect of the same project, as a result of a surplus in-year. The most significant net transf6rs from restricted funds in the year represent.. As referred to above, £31,516 was transferred frorn designated unrestricted funds to r65trlcted funds to support a related project Ihat had incurred a deficit in the year. A further £13,147, repres8nting the surplus for the year, was transferred from the restricted funds of the same project, to support that related proj8Ct that had incurred a deficit. The overall transfer to support the project was th8r8for8 £44,663. The two projects are very much linked, but are retained as different departments for monitoring purposes. Also as referenced above, there was a transfer of £33,420 from restricted funds to designated unrestricted funds in respect of the a project, as a result of a surplus in-year. In addition. £1,196,259 was transferred from restricted funds to designated unrestricted capital reserves, as a capital project was completed In the year. 20 Taxation As a charity, Merseyside Youth Association Limil8d is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity. 21 Contlngent Ilabllltles The comp8ny had the following contingent liabilities at 31. March, 2025.. A potential liability exists in respect of the Skills Capital Fund monies received during previous financial years. It is a condition of that funding that the charity shall not dispos6 of or chang8 the use of any such capital assets thus funded. This condition relates to £622,656 of funds received and remains in plac9 for 5 years from the Agreed Project Financial Completion Date, which was 31 March 2021. Therefore, the condition is in place until 31 March 2026. A potential liability exists in respect of the Social Investment Business Foundation ("SIBF') monies of £1,367,252 received in respect of the current and previous financial years for the capital improvement of the property held under a lease at Seaview Road. A charge was registered on 15 December 2023 prohibiting any disposition of the land at Seaview Road, occupied by MYA SPACE, without the written consent of SIBF. This condition ￿MaInS in place for 15 years from 13 October 2023, until 12 October 2038. 37 Merseyside Youth Association Limited (Limited by Guarantee) Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the year ended 31 St March 2025 (cont.) 22 Financial commitments The company had commitments under non-cancellable op8rating18ases at 31, March, 2025 as follows: Land and Buildings 2025 2024 Other 2025 2024 Total future payments, falling due: Within one year Between one and five years 31,365 27,015 58.380 45,475 58,214 103,689 23 Capital commitments At 31° March, 2025, capital commitments authorised by the directors bul not contracted for amounted lo £Nil (2024.. £Nil) and capital commitments authorised and contracted for amounted to £Nil(2024.' £1,243,543). 24 Cash generated by operating activitl8S 2025 2024 Net income for the year Adjustments for,. Inte￿st and dividends receivable Depreciation Nel gains on investments Interest payable Operating cash flow before movemonts in worklng capital (Increase)Idecrease in debtors (Decrease>lincrease in creditors 1,015,504 210,568 (8,249) 86.296 13,616) (7,782) 75,U88 {286,484} 19,995 1,094,209 (3,483) 125 794 964,932 11,385 394,155 454,595 25 Members, liability The company is limited by guarantee, and, in the event of the winding up of the company, the liability of each member (including those members who have seNed within the previous ￿e1ve months) is limited to a conlribution of £1 towards the cost of dissolution and the liabilities inGurred by the charity while the contributor was a member. 26 Related party transactlons During the year, the Charity received a donation of £1,000 frorn Mason Owen Financial Services Limited, a company in respect of which A. Gibbons is a éirector. In support of the fundraising dlnner held during the year, tables costlng £400 and £800 were purchased by Mason Owen Financial SeNices Limited and Remstone Property Management Limited respectively. R.T Dears Is a director of Remstone Conslruction Limited. There were no amounts due to, or from, these companies at the year end date {2024: £Nil). 38