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← Community First In Herefordshire & Worcestershire

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 703072

Company Registration No. 02504158 (England and Wales)

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr. N Herman Mr. G Hughes Ms N Twigg (Appointed 1 June 2024) Mr. R Humphries (Appointed 1 June 2024) Chief Executive Officer F Myers MBE Charity number 703072 Company number 02504158 Registered office The Fred Bulmer Centre Wall Street Hereford HR4 9HP Independent examiner Kendall Wadley LLP Granta Lodge 71 Graham Road Malvern Worcestershire WR14 2JS Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Website www.comfirst.org.uk Email info@comfirst.org.uk X @comfirst #ACREnetwork

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 19

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, the report complies with the requirements for a directors' report as required by the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the organisation's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).

Our Vision

Our vision is of strong, successful and healthy communities thriving across Herefordshire and Worcestershire where everyone can achieve their full potential.

By strong we mean that communities are resilient to challenge and adaptive to change.

By successful we mean that economic and social interactions are as good as they can be.

By healthy we mean that everyone’s physical and mental health is as good as it can be and that people live in a healthy environment.

By communities we mean not only communities of place but also communities of interest. It is particularly important to address communities of interest in a world where so many interactions are on line.

By communities we include all in Herefordshire and Worcestershire with a special emphasis on smaller rural communities where their rurality poses particular challenges.

It follows, therefore, that we have a clear mission to support the wellbeing of communities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire particularly by embracing ill health prevention strategies.

To deliver our mission we must

Support - provide expert support to those communities, particularly through organisations in those communities.

Promote - Understanding of strategies to improve the health and well being of communities.

Advocate - act as advocate, representing the diverse interests of those communities, particularly where they may find it difficult getting their voice heard.

Deliver - provide direct support to individuals where there are no other suitable organisations able to provide such support.

Manage - ensure that our own organisation is fit for purpose and able to deliver our mission in an efficient and effective way.

Public benefit

Reference has been made to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives and when planning future activities. In particular, Trustees consider how planned activities contribute to the aims and objectives set.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

2024-25 has continued with the challenges of last year across the whole sector and Community First has reduced expenditure and we continue to work pro-actively to increase innovative and diverse activities that will in turn attract new funding opportunities and partnerships.

During the year we continued with the delivery and development of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College, reaching thousands of people who needed help in our community. We encountered a particular setback when the NHS announced that the College would no longer be funded. It had been funded from ‘Captain Tom’ money which was of course non recurrent.

We are acutely aware of the extensive reach and importance of our work in ill health and community wellbeing and there is a great deal of strain in the sector because of this lack of funding. Rather than cease this work we resolved to invest our own resources whilst lobbying the NHS and other funding bodies for resources to continue to develop a comprehensive agenda of ill health prevention.

We have continued to develop the theme of prevention upstream of ill health in the Communities which we serve. The aim continues to be to introduce a comprehensive prevention strategy into communities which will in turn reduce demand on the NHS.

We are ambitious to create a blueprint which can serve the whole country by being rolled out via the ACRE network.

We have continued to provide active support to village halls, connecting with 320 of them and more than three thousand volunteers who support them. Our oil purchasing scheme has continued to be popular against the continuing strain on family incomes and energy price increases.

Towards the end of the year we commenced a new Rural (Affordable) Housing Enabler Contract. This is a DEFRA initiative, administered by ACRE.

Financial review

During the year we invested in new accounting software and training in its use.

Full financial details are available in the accounts. In summary, total expenditure exceeded income by £55,136 this year, leaving a total closing reserves of £190,017. This is made up of restricted funds of £46,670 and unrestricted funds of £143,347.

The directors have examined the requirement for free reserves, which are those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed.

The level of reserves is kept under regular review to ensure that sufficient funds are put aside to provide flexibility to cover temporary timing differences in financial commitments and to ensure adequate working capital and a contingency to manage the financial risks associated with certain funding streams and contractual obligations.

Community First is satisfied that it has a sound approach to its finances which are subject to regular review.

Quantitatively, Community First therefore aims to hold free reserves equivalent to not less than two months budgeted expenditure and not more than six months budgeted expenditure. This reflects the risks it faces and that, as a charitable organisation, its primary purpose is to be of service to the people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire rather than to accumulate money.

The directors have examined the requirement for free reserves, which are those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. Total reserves of the charity at 31 March 2025 were £190,017 (2024 - £245,153). Of this total £46,670 (2024 - £nil) is restricted funding leaving, after allowance for tangible fixed assets, £142,663 (2024 - £243,640) as free reserves, which equates to just over 6 months of current expenditure.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Grant making policy

Community First administers grants on behalf of another charitable trust. The grant making processes are agreed with the funders at the outset.

Community First's unrestricted funds are not utilised for grant giving purposes.

Principal sources of funding

The principal sources of funding received in the year are as described in the restricted funds note accompanying the financial statements.

Risk management

The Board of Community First reviews the key risks that the organisation faces on a continuing basis.

Plans for future periods

Community First, as its title states, will continue to concentrate on putting the community first, we have a major role to play in our local communities. As ever, we will need to be creative and innovative as we look to maintain and grow our income for the future.

Community First has a strong history rooted in our rural communities in and around Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Looking to the future, we will continue reaching out into our communities pursuing the need for connectedness and belonging, coupled with issues around physical health, mental well-being, emotional problems, and financial and economic challenges. We have actively continued in promoting the Social Determinants of Health and strategies to embrace them.

We intend to continue to deliver the Wellbeing & Recovery College whilst financially possible pending seeking future funding opportunities.

Through our dedicated efforts, driven by local knowledge and insights, and working with our partners, Community First aims to continue to build resilient, flourishing, and interconnected rural communities that can proudly contribute to a brighter future for all whilst reducing the demands on the NHS.

Structure, governance and management

Community First is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 29 June 1990 and registered as a charity on 6 July 1990.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. These were last amended on 20 January 2020.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, were: Mr. R Whitfield Mr. N Herman Mr. G Hughes Ms N Twigg Mr. R Humphries

(Resigned 11 May 2025)

(Appointed 1 June 2024) (Appointed 1 June 2024)

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Frank Myers continued as Chief Executive Officer and as such has responsibility for operational management. He continued to lead the staff team in their work throughout the year.

Strategic management is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees who meet regularly to scrutinise activities, evaluate progress and set the direction of travel. The Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to influence the work and priorities of the organisation.

Community First's Board should consist of not less than six or more than ten people. Work to recruit new trustees continues with the aim to meet the demographic, skill, knowledge and representative needs of the Charity.

Up to eight members are elected at the AGM and up to two co-opted by the Board. At the conclusion of each AGM, one third of the Board retires from office. The members of the Board to retire are those who have been in office longest since their last election. Retiring trustees are eligible for re-election. At every AGM, members of Community First elect Board trustees in place of those retiring.

The Governance of the charity is kept under constant review.

During the year Board meetings were held on four occasions to oversee the delivery of the organisation's plans and to review the risks and opportunities facing the charitable company on an ongoing basis. Day to day management of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer and there are regular staff meetings.

The remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer and all staff is reviewed annually by the Board and when appropriate increased in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPIH).

Board members complete a register of interests on a regular basis. This is updated if needed during the year.

Board members are required to declare any interest in relation to specific decisions and agenda items at the start

of all Board meetings, or thereafter if relevant topics arise in discussion.

Community First works with a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners. Descriptions of related parties and the transactions with them are detailed elsewhere at note 19 of the accounts.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Ms N Twigg Trustee

Dated: 18 December 2025

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Community First in Herefordshire & Worcestershire (the organisation) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the organisation (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the organisation are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the organisation’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

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:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Sarah Morley ACA Kendall Wadley LLP

Granta Lodge 71 Graham Road Malvern Worcestershire WR14 2JS

Dated: 18 December 2025

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
6,045
185,021
Charitable activities
4
6,140
-
Investments
5
5,352
-
Total income
17,537
185,021
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
47,600
210,094
Total expenditure
47,600
210,094
Net expenditure
(30,063)
(25,073)
Transfers between
funds
12
(71,743)
71,743
Net movement in
funds
(101,806)
46,670
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024
245,153
-
Fund balances at 31 March
2025
143,347
46,670		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
191,066
29,638
265,275
294,913
6,140
2,320
-
2,320
5,352
6,068
-
6,068
202,558
38,026
265,275
303,301
257,694
122,232
286,210
408,442
257,694
122,232
286,210
408,442
(55,136)
(84,206)
(20,935)
(105,141)
-
69,040
(69,040)
-
(55,136)
(15,166)
(89,975)
(105,141)
245,153
260,319
89,975
350,294
190,017
245,153
-
245,153

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Current assets
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
15
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
17
Unrestricted funds		 2025
£
8,804
199,438
208,242
(18,909)		 £
684
189,333
190,017
46,670
143,347
190,017		 2024
£
9,451
316,540
325,991
(82,351)		 £
1,513
243,640
245,153
-
245,153
245,153

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 18 December 2025

Ms N Twigg Trustee

Company Registration No. 02504158

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Company information

Community First in Herefordshire & Worcestershire is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Fred Bulmer Centre, Wall Street, Hereford, HR4 9HP.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the organisation's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The organisation is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The organisation has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the organisation. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the organisation has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the organisation is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the organisation has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.

Other incoming resources are on a receivable basis over the period to which they relate.

1.5 Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised for the amounts that the charity anticipates it will have to pay to settle a debt or the amount that it has received in advance as payment for services it has to provide.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs associated with the activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the programmes and activities undertaken.

The support costs are treated as core running costs of the charity.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Office equipment 33% of cost Fixtures, fittings & furniture 15% of net book value

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the organisation reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

1.9 Financial instruments

The organisation has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the organisation's balance sheet when the organisation becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the organisation’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the organisation is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the organisation’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
general
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
153
-
Funding and grants
-
185,021
Membership fees
5,892
-
6,045
185,021		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
general
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
153
-
-
185,021
22,431
265,275
5,892
7,207
-
191,066
29,638
265,275		 Total
2024
£
-
287,706
7,207
294,913

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Oil buying and training
Sale of services 6,140 2,320
Income from investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Interest receivable 5,352 6,068

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6 Charitable activities

Provide and
accommodate
project
workers
2025
£
Staff costs
110,474
Staff training
27,404
Office costs
-
Project expenses
20,946
Membership fees
and subscriptions
6,483
165,307
Grant funding of
activities (see note
7)
-
Share of support
costs (see note 9)
72,736
Share of
governance costs
(see note 9)
5,056
243,099
Analysis by
fund
Unrestricted funds
- general
47,600
Restricted funds
195,499
243,099		 Grants
payable
2025
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,595
-
-
14,595
-
14,595
14,595		 Total
2025
Provide and
accommodate
project
workers
2024
£
£
110,474
194,147
27,404
32,764
-
77
20,946
116,920
6,483
6,986
165,307
350,894
14,595
-
72,736
37,899
5,056
8,722
257,694
397,515
47,600
122,232
210,094
275,283
257,694
397,515		 Grants
payable
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,927
-
-
10,927
-
10,927
10,927		 Total
2024
£
194,147
32,764
77
116,920
6,986
350,894
10,927
37,899
8,722
408,442
122,232
286,210
408,442

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7 Grants payable

Arley Memorial Hall
Brampton Abbotts Parish
Bromsgrove Regeneration
Bewdley Community Theatre Group
Callow End Village Hall
CUP Ceramics CIC
Dilwyn Cedar Hall
Eardisland Village Hall
Fairfield Village Community Association
Garway Activity Group
HayCommunity Choir
Hay Camera Club
Hereford Symphony Orchestra
Hereford City Rotary Club
Herefordshire Community Land Trust
Herefordshire Growing
Indigo Arts
Ledbury Community Brass Band
Leominster Museum CIO
Malvern Cube Projects
Malvern Museum Society
Mobilise Arts CIC
Pembridge Amenity Trust
Peterchurch Parochial
West Malvern Social Club
Weobley Village Hall
Whittington Village Hall
Wolverley Village Players
EA343 - no name in nominal		 2025
£
750
1,000
1,000
-
-
-
945
-
-
500
-
1,000
1,000
-
1,000
800
1,000
1,000
-
750
1,000
1,000
-
-
1,000
850
-
-
-
14,595		 2024
£
-
-
-
1,000
1,000
1,000
-
997
480
-
200
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
1,000
250
-
-
1,000
1,000
1,000
10,927

The charity acts as an intermediary between the grant applicants and the grant funders. Each group of grants are paid out of specific funds received by the charity for the purpose of issuing grants to other organisations with the approval of the grant funder.

8 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.

No trustees were reimbursed expenses (2024 - none).

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9
Support costs
Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Depreciation
829
-
Office costs
8,647
-
Consultancy
62,279
-
General costs
921
-
Bank charges
60
-
Audit and accountancy
fees
-
4,556
Payroll fees
-
500
Trustee meeting costs
-
-
72,736
5,056
Analysed between
Charitable activities
72,736
5,056		 2025Support costs Governance
costs
£
£
£
829
888
-
8,647
11,682
-
62,279
25,083
-
921
176
-
60
70
-
4,556
-
7,297
500
-
1,380
-
-
45
77,792
37,899
8,722
77,792
37,899
8,722		 2024
£
888
11,682
25,083
176
70
7,297
1,380
45
46,621
46,621

Audit and accountancy fees of £4,556 (2024 - £7,298) comprises £nil (2024 - £1,250) payable to the charity's auditor in respect of audit fees, £3,500 (2023 - £2,500) for independent examination fees. A further £1,056 (2023 - £3,430) related to bookkeeping services not provided by the auditor together with £nil (2023 - £118) in respect of Companies House fees.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
Number
6
2025
£
101,998
2,271
6,205
110,474		 2024
Number
6
2024
£
173,839
8,891
11,417
194,147

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel, is as follows.

2025 2024
£ £
Aggregate compensation 41,283 47,906

11 Taxation

Community First's activities during the year were in accordance with its charitable objects and therefore no corporation tax liability arises.

12 Transfers

In 2025 transfers totalling £71,743 (2024 - £nil) have been made from unrestricted to restricted funds to contribute towards one of the projects

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13
Tangible fixed assets
Office
equipment
Fixtures,
fittings &
furniture
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2024
8,818
5,134
At 31 March 2025
8,818
5,134
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
8,112
4,327
Depreciation charged in the year
706
123
At 31 March 2025
8,818
4,450
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
-
684
At 31 March 2024
706
807
14
Debtors
2025
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
Trade debtors
6,297
Other debtors
728
Prepayments and accrued income
1,779
8,804		 Total
£
13,952
13,952
12,439
829
13,268
684
1,513
2024
£
290
-
9,161
9,451
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
3,919
-
14,990
18,909		 2024
£
8,665
1,212
72,474
82,351

Included in accruals and deferred income is £8,865 (2024 - £67,907) in respect of income received in advance of the service to be provided and which has been deferred. All amounts are released in the subsequent accounting period.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16 Retirement benefit schemes
2025 2024
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 6,205 11,417

The organisation operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the organisation in an independently administered fund.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

Balance at
1 April 2023
r
£
Elmley Arts Foundation
3,800
ACRE/DEFRA
-
Herefordshire Council contribution to RHE
-
Wellbeing Hub
86,175
89,975		 Movement in funds
Incoming
esources
Resources
expended
£
£
15,427
(10,927)
48,930
(25,669)
-
-
200,918
(249,614)
265,275
(286,210)		 Transfers
Balance at
1 April 2024
r
£
£
(8,300)
-
(23,261)
-
-
-
(37,479)
-
(69,040)
-		 Movement in funds
Incoming
esources
Resources
expended
£
£
19,095
(17,699)
102,509
(57,235)
1,000
(1,000)
62,417
(134,160)
185,021
(210,094)		 Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2025
£
£
-
1,396
-
45,274
-
-
71,743
-
71,743
46,670		 Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2025
£
£
-
1,396
-
45,274
-
-
71,743
-
71,743
46,670
46,670

Elmley Arts Foundation - This scheme is for community groups in Herefordshire and Worcestershire planning arts events or purchases, there are two funds – Events and Activities and Arts Equipment .

ACRE/DEFRA - Funding restricted to deliver: • Local strategic support to rural communities, enabling them to take action • Sharing learning on sustainable funding models • Providing access to local intelligence.

Herefordshire Council contribution to RHE - contribution to Rural Housing Enabling programme

Wellbeing Hub - This fund represents monies received from NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire CCG to develop emerging needs and increasing capacity of the Wellbeing Hub as required.

COMMUNITY FIRST IN HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Fund balances at 31
March 2025 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
684
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
142,663
46,670
143,347
46,670		 Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
684
1,513
-
189,333
243,640
-
190,017
245,153
-		 Total
2024
£
1,513
243,640
245,153

19 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).