Edridge Fund of Napo
ACCOUNTS & ANNUAL REPORT
for the year ended 31 December 2021
Administrative Details
Full name: The Edridge Fund of Napo the Trade Union and Professional Association for Family Court and Probation Staff Reg Charity No: 803493 Registered Office: 160, Falcon Road, Battersea, London, SW11 2NY (moved January 2021 to Boat Race House, 65 Mortlake High Street, London, SW14 8HL Bankers: Unity Trust Bank Plc. Nine Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2HB Investment Managers: Aberdeen Fund Managers Ltd, PO Box 9029, Chelmsford, Essex, CM99 2WJ Independent Examiner: Gina Alderson, Felden Lodge, Felden Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 0BL
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees present their annual report with the accounts of the Fund for the year ending 31[st] December 2021. The accounts comply with the Fund’s Trust Deed, the Charities Act 1993 (as amended by the Charities Act 2006), as well as the “Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities”, Charities Commission 2005, revised in 2014, and the Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102, to the extent that it applies.
Trustees
The Trustees who held office during the year were as follows:
Alan Goode (East Midlands) Appointed November 2019 – Chair of Trustees David Stevens (Mercia) Appointed November 2014, re-elected 2019 – Vice Chair Carolyn Mack (East Midlands) Appointed September 2016, re-elected 2021 Ian Hankinson (Mercia) Appointed March 2018 Peter Rowe (Cheshire/Greater Manchester) Appointed November 2018 Francis Sanders (Manchester & Cheshire) Appointed September 2019
Kenneth Boyall Appointed September 2019 (co-opted for support with Edridge Reps)
Alan Goode was re-appointed as Chair in March 2021. David Stevens was re-appointed as Vice Chair in March 2021.
Staff
Karen Monaghan Secretary to Trustees Jeanne Peall Honorary Treasurer David Cox Business Officer & Financial Administrator Sarah Byatt Administrator
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Edridge Fund of Napo
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Edridge Fund (The Fund) operates as an unincorporated association in accordance with a Trust Deed dated 1[st] May 1990 and subsequent amending deeds dated 11[th] July 2003, 9[th] May 2013 and as amended by scheme dated 6[th] July 2020. The Trust Deed of 1990 established the Fund as an independent charity but retained close links with Napo – the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation & Family Court Staff, which have been present from the Fund’s original foundation in 1934. The Deed of 1990 stipulates that Trustees are appointed by the members of the Napo National Executive Committee by election from candidates nominated by Napo branches. A maximum of five Trustees are elected to serve for a five-year period. No Trustee may serve more than two consecutive terms. Should elections not take place, Trustees are empowered to elect a Trustee, normally from those nominated.
New Trustees are provided with an induction pack, which is reviewed regularly. The pack includes relevant information regarding the Fund’s constitution and guidance from the Charity Commission on the responsibilities and duties of trustees. They are in contact with the staff and other Trustees for support and advice and undertake a period of shadowing with a mentor Trustee prior to being a Rota Chair for grant applications.
The Trustees meet five times a year, which have taken place via Zoom during this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The level of income is reviewed, and financial decisions made accordingly. Trustees consider reports from staff on activities and review the charity’s policies and governance compliance regularly. During the year, Trustees consider applications for assistance as soon as they are received, with the aim to complete the process within three weeks, but is usually much shorter, and in emergencies can be within hours. Decisions made by email are then ratified at Trustees’ meetings.
The Fund is administered by staff working remotely, with appropriate measures taken to ensure the security of confidential information in accordance with GDPR. The principal financial and operational records are held electronically on a server provided by Napo, though officers and staff of Napo have no access to those records.
The Trustees try to ensure that we operate as fair employers. We try to ensure we follow all appropriate employment legislation, with supervision and support for staff provided by the Chair of the Fund.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the Fund as set out in the Trust Deed dated 1[st] May 1990 are as follows: monies subscribed, donated, or raised for the Fund shall be applied in accordance with the Deed to assist eligible persons when in need, hardship, or distress, whether or not they have been members of NAPO. This covers a wide range of probation and family court staff, but essentially applies to anybody who could be a full member, retired member, or professional associate of Napo. In addition, this covers in some circumstances, dependants.
The primary work of the Fund is to provide financial assistance. Grant applications are considered in line with the process outlined above. In some cases, applicants are given advice, either directly from the Trustees, or with the assistance of local Edridge Representatives. This advice is usually to help applicants obtain further help elsewhere, and never involves giving financial advice.
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Edridge Fund of Napo
The secondary work of the Fund is to ensure that we continue to have the resources to maintain our financial assistance. The major contribution to the Fund is the donation we receive from Napo, and in recent years we have also been assisted with substantial grants from the CSiS Charity Fund, for which the Board are very grateful. The Fund also receives income from occasional legacies, donations, and gifts either on a regular basis, or other occasional donations. A small income is received from the "50/50 Club" which is a registered small lottery, and from sales of Christmas Cards and other merchandise, nominally at the Napo AGM. There are also sponsored, and local fundraising events held by Napo branches. An Investment Portfolio is maintained to provide a free reserve for the Fund, and this is managed professionally.
The Fund also works to promote wider knowledge of the Fund, firstly to increase the awareness of the assistance available to those in need, and secondly to publicise the work of the Fund to increase donations. To this end we regularly contribute pieces to the Napo Magazine and on social media. The Fund’s website is intended to assist both potential applicants for assistance, and existing and potential donors. Representatives of the Edridge Fund attend probation-related conferences and events to promote the work of the Fund.
The Charities Act 2006 places a responsibility on charities to ensure that they are for the benefit of the public, or a section of the public. The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charities Commission general guidance on public benefit and reviewed the aims and activities of the Fund in the light of that guidance. The Trustees are of the opinion that the Fund satisfies these requirements.
Applications for Assistance
The total number of applications in 2021 was 79, which is once again down on the number received in 2020 (91) and 2019 (123). The total amount paid in grants during 2021 has reduced by 2.3 % compared with the reduction in the previous year, which was 44%.
Grants were paid in respect of 51 of the applications. 28 were not successful either because the applicants were not eligible, or the application was withdrawn, or they were not seemed to be in financial hardship. The percentage of the total applications for 2021 that were successful was 65%, compared with 2020 when the percentage of successful applications was 62% of the total. The percentage of refused applications in 2021 was 35%, a reduction compared to 2020 when it was 38%.
The average grant paid was £297, which is an increase on 2020 where the average grant was £280. The amounts granted ranged from £70 to £350. The Trustees continue to attempt to make grants that match the immediate needs of the applicant.
There were slightly more applications from non-Napo members than from Napo members, reversing the situation of the previous year. In 2021 the amount paid to Napo members was less than the amount paid to other applicants. No grants were paid to members of other Unions. We have continued the practice of referring applicants from other Unions to their own Welfare Funds, before considering an application.
Up until the cessation of the CRC contracts on 25[th] June 2021, the proportion of applications from employees of the Community Rehabilitation Companies to applications from NPS employees was 50/50. All applicants employed by the Probation Service are now advised of their eligibility for the potential assistance available from the Civil Service Charity “For you by you”, on the basis that those applicants are now Civil Servants. This is a much larger Charity and can provide various forms of help beyond financial assistance.
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Edridge Fund of Napo
This year we have again made a very full analysis of the applications, including analysis of the Diversity questionnaires we ask applicants to complete with their applications. The aim of doing this is for the Trustees to ensure that decisions on applications do not indicate any discriminatory bias.
We set out below a table of the key results of this analysis under various headings. All the percentages are a based on the successful applications, but we confirm that we have done the same analysis on the applications refused, and the proportions in all categories are roughly the same. The Diversity figures are based on only 61 of the forms as a number were not completed. We are including in the table a comparison with the figures for 2020.
Analysis of Successful Applications
| Union Membership | Napo | None | Other Union | Total Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44% 56% |
0% | ||
| Amount Paid | £6,690 | £8,435 | nil | £15,125 |
| 2020 | 61% | 38% | 1% | |
| Amount Paid | £9,411 | £5,927 | £150 | £15,488 |
| Ethnic Background | White | Black | Mixed | Asian |
| 2021 | 59% | 18% | 2% | 2% |
| 2020 | 70% | 16% | 6% | 8% |
| Gender | Male | Female | Transgender | |
| 2021 | 16% | 51% | 0% | |
| 2020 | 13% | 87% | 0% | |
| Sexual Orientation | Bi-sexual | Gay/ Lesbian | Heterosexual | Prefer not to answer |
| 2021 | 2% | 7% | 85% | 3% |
| 2020 | 4% | 6% | 87% | 4% |
| Disability | Yes | No | Prefer not to answer |
|
| 2021 | 31% | 37% | 5% | |
| 2020 | 35% | 63% | 2% |
Governance
During 2021, Trustees continued to ensure the Fund was well placed to address issues relating to its work in the future. The Board met with the new Investment Managers and reviewed the portfolio to ensure it continues to support the ongoing needs of the charity. The Trustees also reviewed their skills matrix to identify any shortfalls in skills, knowledge, or expertise. A plan of training for Trustees to address certain areas has been developed for 2022.
Trustee & Staff Changes
In October 2021, Business Officer, David Cox, announced his retirement from the role. His duties will be delegated amongst existing staff and volunteers. The Trustee Board recognise his years of service and support to the Fund.
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Edridge Fund of Napo
Financial Review
Donations and fund raising
In 2021 the majority of the income of the Edridge Fund was provided by the grant from Napo and a reduced grant from CSIS (Civil Service Insurance Society). CSIS suffered a reduction in their income as a result of the economic climate, which impacted on the level of grants they could award. However, Edridge was able to cover operational costs and continue to award grants, due to the reduced level of applications for assistance. Funds from the bequest received from the estate of the Rev Tysoe were available in reserve but we did not need to draw on them. The Trustees remain very grateful for the contributions made by Napo and CSIS, which are of considerable significance in enabling the Fund to continue to provide assistance to current and retired Family Court and Probation staff and their dependants who are in need.
The 50/50 Club continued to be well supported and to provide a steady source of income with an increase in subscription levels compared to 2020. As a result of some members donating all or a proportion of their winnings back to the Fund, the net benefit saw a further increase on the previous year. Regular donations continue to decline with a significant drop in income from 2020. This has been, however, an issue throughout the charity sector since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fundraising through Branches and the Family Court Section has shown some recovery. The resumption of a ‘live’ Napo AGM, albeit with an on-line element, meant the return of the Edridge stall. It proved to be a very successful in terms of Edridge fundraising with the raffle for the three quilts proving particularly popular. The Edridge Fund Trustees wish to extend their thanks to Cynthia Mynott for her very generous donation of the quilts.
Administration and Expenditure
Expenditure on administration continued to be tightly managed and was at a similar level to 2020. The details can be found in the notes to the accounts. In 2020, in response to the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, communication with 50/50 club members and applicants for grants moved to email, as well as payments being made predominantly through BACS. This has continued during 2021 and continues to result in greatly reduced postal costs as well as assisting in the management of administrative expenditure. Governance costs, which usually cover Trustee travel expenses and meeting costs, were also significantly reduced, due to Trustee meetings being held via Zoom. Again, this was in response to Covid-19 restrictions.
Edridge Investments
In August 2020, the monies returned by HSBC Investments were reinvested and are now managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments. Prior to this the investment monies were held in the Edridge Fund Unity Trust Deposit Account.
Future Plans
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Edridge Fund of Napo
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The Trustees intend to continue to grow the number of Edridge representatives across the country, not only to provide support and assistance to colleagues, but also to assist with raising awareness of the Fund. We hope that this will also serve to grow income streams through additional donations and fundraising activity.
-
The Trustees will promote opportunity for payroll giving through LDUs to seek to spread donations to the Fund more broadly across the workforce as we come together in a national service.
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The Trustees will link with the Employee Assistance programme to develop a response to debt in conjunction with other appropriate charities and signpost applicants to the Fund to relevant additional sources of help where we can do so.
DECLARATION
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above
Signed: Alan Goode – Chair of Trustees 25[th] July 2022
CHAIR’S REPORT
I am pleased to be able to present this report of the Edridge Fund for 2021. In doing so I would wish to pay tribute to those officers of the fund, the trustees and local representatives who have continued to work hard to enable the fund to continue to respond efficiently to those in need of assistance throughout the year.
I would like to pay particular tribute to David Cox who has in many guises been a long-standing supporter of the fund, playing a key role for many years before taking retirement from his role as business officer in October last year.
The Covid pandemic has continued to impact the fund through the last year both in reducing income from fund raising activities and other sources, but also reducing the number of applications so that despite our anxiety about a reduced income stream we have still been able to respond positively to all those eligible applicants who were in hardship. Having said that there are now signs of increasing demand again, reflecting perhaps both increased visibility because of the coming together as a unified service but also the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on many colleagues.
It is a matter of pride that the fund is able to respond to most applicants within a matter of days and although as a small charity we are often only able to provide relatively small grants we will also where relevant signpost applicants to additional sources of help.
We do analyse applications annually and a number of common factors emerge which we suspect may impact in similar ways on many colleagues who do not seek help but whose need may be as great.
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Edridge Fund of Napo
In half the cases a significant level of debt was a key factor in creating a level of hardship that made it impossible for the applicant to respond to a particular crisis that had tipped them over the edge and while we could provide some small assistance, we would also look to signpost such applicants to the assistance that could be provided by debt relief charities.
In a quarter of cases a relationship breakdown had led to financial instability and of this group 40% had experienced domestic abuse leading to separation.
In a fifth of cases long term sickness had led to a drop in income and led to hardship but in a similar proportion of cases applicants were on an income level which left them in hardship where they were potentially eligible for state benefits which were not being claimed. Again, such applicants are also signposted to relevant agencies to check their position and to other charities who may be able to offer further assistance.
The fund is able to respond positively and sympathetically to such cases thanks to the generosity and support of NAPO and all members of the union and we are immensely grateful for that support.
Alan Goode – Chair of Trustees July 2022
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Edridge Fund of Napo
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES FROM GENERATED FUNDS Voluntary Income Regular Donations and Gifts Grant from Napo Bequests Corporate Charity Donation 11 TUUT Grant -restricted funds 7 HSBC Compensation Activities for generating funds Fund Raising (including 50/50 Club subscriptions) 6 Sale of merchandise Investment & Interest Income Investment Income 10 Bank Interest Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities Contributions from members, branches, and others Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of Generating Funds Promotional / Fund Raising activities Investment Management Fees 10 Website Expenses 50/50 Club Prizes Purchase of Merchandise subtotal Net Resources available for Charitable Application Costs of Charitable Activities Grants paid - Management & delivery of the charity's purpose 2 Governance Costs 4 Total Resources expended Net Operating Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year Before Gross transfers Gross Transfers between Funds Net Incoming Resources before Gains & Losses Other Recognised gains (losses) Realised gains/(losses) on investments Unrealised gains/(losses) on investments |
2021 4,000 11,293 Nil 5,000 Nil Nil 3,803 137 Nil 3 1,059 25,295 221 Nil 504 753 Nil 1,478 23,819 15,125 12,944 72 29,619 (4,324) nil (4,324) 11,539 |
2020 6,738 11,092 Nil 10,000 Nil Nil 3,198 10 Nil 376 1,477 |
|---|---|---|
| 32,891 | ||
| 256 Nil 504 662 Nil 1,422 |
||
| 31,469 | ||
| 15,488 13,170 171 30,251 |
||
| 2,640 | ||
| nil 2,640 |
||
| 7,287 |
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Edridge Fund of Napo
| Net Movements in Funds Total funds brought forward Total Funds Carried Forward BALANCE SHEET As at 31st December 2021 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 3 Investments 10 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 & 9 Cash at Bank and in Hand Creditors Amounts falling due within one year Accruals 5 Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Liabilities Net Assets Charity Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 7 Total Funds available to the Fund |
£ | 7,215 263,67 6 270,22 3 2021 £ £ 2,221 65,072 67,293 (1,877) |
7,215 263,67 6 270,22 3 2021 £ £ 2,221 65,072 67,293 (1,877) |
9,928 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 253,74 8 |
|||||
| 263,67 6 |
|||||
| 2020 £ nil 198,260 265,553 263,676 263676 261,765 1,911 263,676 |
|||||
| 67,293 | |||||
| (1,877) | |||||
These financial statements were submitted to the Trustees and were approved,
subject to a satisfactory Independent Examination Alan Goode Chair of the Trustees, date
The notes on the following two pages form part of these accounts
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Edridge Fund of Napo
Notes forming part of the Accounts
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our Accounting policies remain as reported in previous years.
2. MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY OF THE CHARITIES PURPOSE
| Notes Staff Salaries Office Services including rent Office Costs, postage, computer running costs etc Insurance Depreciation on fixed assets 3 Equipment Purchase Bank charges |
2020 £ 10,989 645 320 841 Nil Nil 150 12,944 |
2020 £ 10,870 638 541 687 Nil 279 155 |
|---|---|---|
| 13,170 |
3. TANGIBLE ASSETS
The Trustees have once again concluded that our stocks of goods for sale, and operational equipment, is at a level where it would not be appropriate to account for depreciation, and this would not have any material effect on the accounts.
| 4. GOVERNANCE COSTS Trustees' expenses 4a Meeting Expenses (zoom fee) Audit and accountancy Napo Conference expenses Trustees Training |
2021 £ Nil 72 Nil Nil Nil 72 |
2020 £ 72 99 Nil Nil Nil 171 |
|---|---|---|
5. CREDITORS
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Wages payment for October - December 2021 | 2753 |
| Grant awarded in 2020 but paid in 2021 | 350 |
| Repayment to HMPPS 2020 | 1,611 |
| Web charges Quarter 4 2021 | 126 |
| 50 50 prizes for January, July, August, 202! | 356 |
| Corporate Credit Card balance | 100 |
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Edridge Fund of Napo
5,296
| 6. FUND RAISING INCOME Fund Raising and Sponsored events 50/50 Club Subscriptions * |
£ 1,535 2,268 |
|---|---|
| 3,803 |
a. This means that the net benefits to the Fund from the 50/50 Club is £1,515 for the current year
7. TUUT GRANT RESTRICTED FUNDS
As reported in our 2019 accounts we had received a grant for specific purposes, which was to fund the purchase of card reading machines for fund raising purposes. In view of the Covid 19 pandemic our fund raising at events has been curtailed. The balance of the restricted funds are reflected in the accounts, and there has been no further expenditure during the current year. The sum of £154 was spent in 2019.
8. GIFT AID TAX REFUNDS
Gift Aid Claims carried forward from 2020 accounts as debtors and updated for the current tax year.
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debtor figure brought forward from 2020 | 2,221 | ||
Less Gift Aid refunds received in 2021: 2018/2019 & 2019/2029 |
1,467 | ||
| Amount allocated to current year donations | 800 | ||
Amount to be carried forward as Debtor for 2021 |
|||
| Amount estimated for 2020/2021 tax year | 600 | ||
Balance of Debtor account remaining from previous years |
954 | ||
| Amount carried forward as Debtor for 2021 | 1,554 | ||
| 3,021 | 3,021 |
9. DEBTORS
| 9. DEBTORS | |
|---|---|
| Notes | £ |
| Gift Aid tax refunds payable (estimated) 8 |
1,554 |
| 1,554 |
10. INVESTMENTS
In March 2020, the Trustees appointed Aberdeen Investments as their Investment Manager. Valuation is market value, certified by our Investment Managers at 31/12/21 Income received from the underlying investments is retained within the fund and transferred to capital. The increase in value of the portfolio during the course of this year reflects the increase in market value.
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Edridge Fund of Napo
11. VOLUNTARY INCOME - SPECIAL ITEMS
| 11. VOLUNTARY INCOME - SPECIAL ITEMS | |
|---|---|
| CSiS Charity Fund | £ |
| 5,000 |
See main report - Financial Review - Donations & Fund Raising
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