Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives.
Annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
Registered No: NI 029849
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Annual report
| Page (s) | |
|---|---|
| Trustees and advisers | 2 |
| Trustees’ report | 3 – 11 |
| Report of the independent auditors | 12– 14 |
| Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities | 15 |
| Company Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
| Consolidated Balance sheet | 17 |
| Company Balance sheet | 18 |
| Consolidated Cash flow Statement | 19 |
| Notes to the accounts | 20 – 34 |
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees and advisers
Trustees Directors Team Miriam Somerville (Chair) Chief Executive Agnes Lunny (retired 25 October 2022) Group Director Paul Roberts Carol Workman Group Director Fiona McCabe (appointed 25 July 2022) Laurence Taggart Finance Director Liam Dorrian John Alexander (Chair) Interim HR Director Joanne Corcoran (11 September 2020 to 30 June 2022) Geraldine Cunningham HR Director Christopher Perry (appointed 23 June 2022) Mary Bryce (Vice Chair) Operations Director Frances Murphy Austin Treacy Corporate Services Director Joanne Corcoran Mairead Mitchell David Scoffield Jim Gamble Ian Edwards (Hon. Treasurer) (resigned 27 June 2023) Stephen Cross Peter Woodhead (appointed 25 October 2022)
Secretary
Dawn Morrow
Auditors
ASM (B) Ltd Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Glendinning House 6 Murray Street Belfast BT1 6DN
Solicitors
Worthington Solicitors J Blair Employment Law Solicitors 2 Court Street 106 Malone Avenue Newtownards Belfast BT23 7NX BT9 6ES
Bankers
Danske Bank Bloomfield Shopping Centre South Circular Road Bangor BT19 7HB
Investment Advisors Quilter Cheviot Montgomery House 29-33 Montgomery Street Belfast BT1 4NX
Registered Office and Head Office
2b Park Drive Bangor BT20 4JZ
Registered name of Charity
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: Charity Number: 101385 Company Number: NI 029849
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their report and the audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023. The Trustees’ Report also incorporates the requirements of a Strategic Report as required by legislation.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Our charity’s purposes, as set out in the objects contained in the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, are to:
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enable children and adults with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autistic spectrum condition and their families and carers to take control of their lives;
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provide support to individuals enabling them to live full and valued lives within their local communities;
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promote the rights and equality of beneficiaries and in so doing advocate for changes that people need and want;
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pilot and provide a range of innovative care and support services which meet the identified needs of beneficiaries;
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educate and raise awareness among the public of issues pertaining to people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autistic spectrum condition; and
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such other exclusively charitable purposes according to the law of Northern Ireland, for the beneficiaries as the Trustees may from time to time decide.
The aims of our charity are to support children and adults with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autistic spectrum condition to lead full and valued lives in their own communities.
Public benefit statement
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s statutory guidance on public benefit.
The direct benefits which flow from our purposes include:
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the promotion and improvement of individual health and well-being and family-life by providing personcentred support services which alleviate stress and suffering for families and individuals;
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the promotion and improvement of individual well-being and an independent active lifestyle within the community, improving feelings of individuality and self-worth;
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raising awareness of the issues affecting our beneficiaries to promote knowledge, understanding and to challenge disadvantage and discrimination thereby creating a more welcoming inclusive society; and
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the provision of more person-centred support services which will improve individual well-being, family life and feelings of community inclusion.
Who used and benefitted from our services?
At the end of March 2023, Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. (“Positive Futures (NI)”) provided direct support to 389 people (2022, 418 people). The decrease in the number of people supported was largely linked to the termination of short-term funded projects, namely the Better Together Project which ended in June 2022, and MACE, a time-limited programme linked to the Lakeland Family Support Service which ended in March 2023. The number of people supported through our supported living services and peripatetic services increased from 136 in 2022 to 142 in 2023. These are long term support arrangements which, in the main, support people with complex needs and require significant funding and staffing levels.
In addition to the 389 people directly supported, the families and carers of these individuals also benefitted indirectly from the support provided.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
We provided the following services:
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Adult services – supported living and peripatetic housing support, residential short breaks, shared lives (adult placement) services, and day opportunities.
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Children and young people’s services – children’s residential service, autism outreach service, children and family support services, including the Brighter Futures Project.
Volunteers – Our volunteers in Northern Ireland are involved in a range of activities, from administrative tasks, through to supporting the people we support to have the life they want. The contribution made by our volunteers in family support and shared lives services is critical to the successful delivery of services.
Throughout the year we continued to benefit from the support of volunteers, although, the impact of the Covid19 pandemic, means that the number of volunteer hours has reduced in comparison to pre-pandemic.
At the end of March 2023, Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives CLG (“Positive Futures (ROI)”), a subsidiary of Positive Futures (NI), and the National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired (“NAHVI”) (which transferred into the group on 1 September 2022) supported 108 adults and children through a range of services. This is an increase of 32 on the previous year. The services delivered by Positive Futures ROI and NAHVI are as follows:
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Adult services – supported living, community support, day opportunities, residential and HomeShare / short break services.
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Children and young people’s services – community support services and HomeShare / short break services.
In addition to the 108 people directly supported by Positive Futures ROI and NAHVI, the families and carers of these individuals also significantly benefitted from the support provided.
Our Corporate Aims
Our Corporate Aims for 2020-24 in both Positive Futures (NI) and the other group companies:
Recruitment and Retention
By 2024 we will have reduced vacancies to 5% of organisational size and be the ‘preferred employer’ (‘employer of choice’) in the sector as demonstrated by:
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attracting the best staff
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increasing staffing levels
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improving retention and staff engagement.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
By 2024 we will free up management time by a minimum of 10% through identifying and improving internal processes and systems and refocusing time on staff / team development.
Growth
By 2024 we will secure a range of accommodation options to support a minimum of 30 additional people.
Influence and Funding
By 2024 we will have:
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raised our profile by 10% as a leader in our field with our unique service offers.
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• a voice in all relevant forums influencing the sector.
In addition to these four priority areas, we have confirmed our commitment to playing our part in tackling climate change. In 2023, we will agree an organisational position statement and associated action plan on climate change.
Owing to the continuing challenges linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and workforce pressures, we extended our corporate plan and annual business plan to run until March 2024. Our progress against our current Corporate
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Plan is reviewed and reported on to Trustees on a quarterly basis (see section on future plans in relation to our next Corporate Plan).
Positive Futures (ROI) provided management and governance oversight to NAHVI since 2018, culminating in the membership transfer of NAHVI to Positive Futures (ROI) on 1 September 2022. NAHVI’s strategic objectives are therefore aligned with Positive Futures’ Corporate Aims for 2020-24.
Ensuring our work delivers our aims
Our governance framework comprises the values, culture, systems and processes by which Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries are directed and controlled and the activities through which we are answerable to, and engage with, the people we support, funders, the public and other stakeholders. This enables us to monitor the achievement of our corporate objectives and to consider whether those objectives have led to the delivery of value-adding services.
To direct and guide the organisation’s objectives and activities, Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries have an over-arching corporate plan, from which annual business plans are developed. The Corporate Plan is a forwardlooking document and the annual business plan links our operational activities to our Corporate Plan (currently extended to March 2024). Work is progressing to plan our next Corporate Plan, which will be implemented from April 2024 onwards.
Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries have continued to develop and deliver our service offer to ensure that we appropriately meet the needs of the people we support. Our success in supporting people with complex needs and behaviours of concern is an area which is achieving ever-more recognition across both jurisdictions. This success is significantly contributed to by the development of our Positive Behaviour Support Team which not only focuses on providing training and guidance, but also providing hands-on support and coaching to our staff in the understanding and management of particular behaviours.
We review our business aims, objectives and activities each year to see what we have achieved and the outcomes of our work. We check the success of each key activity and the outcomes for the people we support, their families and carers. This helps us to ensure that what we are doing remains focused on our stated purposes and for the public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
By March 2023, we achieved the following:
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Recruitment and Retention
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Appointed a permanent HR Director and implemented a revised HR structure and model of support.
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Progressed a review and update of our recruitment process from start to finish, implementing increased automation (further improvement work is in progress).
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Updated our approach to recruitment marketing and improved approaches to promote job opportunities in Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries.
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Completed salary benchmarking to ensure our terms and conditions remain competitive and rolled out and implemented enhanced salary and benefits packages for Support Workers and Senior Support Workers.
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Conducted a staff survey and piloted a staff engagement programme in specific services in Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries to inform the development of an Engagement Strategy which is in progress.
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Introduced the Westfield Health Cash Plan for all staff in Positive Futures (NI).
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Efficiency and Effectiveness
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Progressed work to introduce iTrent (HR and payroll system) to Positive Futures (ROI) (further work in progress to support full roll out).
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Updated and relaunched the Leadership Development Programme in Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
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Piloted the DecisionTime online risk management system in one service (further piloting and full roll out to be progressed).
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Fully implemented the DecisionTime system in terms of reviewing and reporting of corporate and business plan objectives.
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Progressed the review and updating of all policies in Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries.
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Progressed elements of an overall Digital Transformation Strategy to move to ‘digital by default’ across Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries, for example, changes to improve communication with staff, replacing manual processes with online processes, improved data reporting systems and introducing a new digital finance system (iplicit).
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Piloted the Outcomes Star, an online system to record and report on the outcomes that people we support want to achieve in their lives in Positive Futures (ROI) and NAHVI
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Completed an Annual Consultation Exercise (ACE) in Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries. This included focus groups and increased opportunities for people with complex needs to be involved in the consultation.
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All regulated services in Positive Futures (NI) were inspected by the Regulation Quality and Improvement Authority (RQIA) during the reporting period. The majority of services had no Quality Improvement Plans, with areas for improvement identified for only 2 services. In Positive Futures (ROI) and NAHVI, there were 4 Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspections during the reporting period. HIQA has a different model of regulation to RQIA and all HIQA inspections result in areas for improvements. All inspection improvement plans were completed by March 2023.
• Growth
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As detailed above, Positive Futures (ROI) has, since 2018, been providing governance and management oversight to NAHVI. In response to a request from the NAHVI Board and following the completion of a detailed due diligence exercise, Positive Futures (ROI) took control of NAHVI by way of a transfer membership agreement on 1 September 2022.
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On 1 October 2022, again following a due diligence exercise, Positive Futures (NI) established the Foyle Community Outreach Service, having assumed responsibility for two small services for people with a learning disability and hearing loss, previously delivered by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).
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Influence and funding
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Secured over circa £120,000 additional funding in grant requests (most significant grant was £100,000 Dormant Account Fund for Finance and HR digital systems).
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Increased social media presence and engagement.
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Represented Positive Futures (NI) on a number of key forums and networks which focus on services for people with a learning disability and autistic spectrum condition and their families across the island of Ireland. In addition, Positive Futures (NI) continues to be the “go-to” organisation for radio and television to comment on issues relevant to our work
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Leading on ARC provider group lobbying regarding social care cost pressures and staffing crisis.
As can be seen above, NAHVI benefitted from a range of Positive Futures’ organisational initiatives contained within the 2022-24 business plan, but also progressed specific activities, including progressing work to ensure it meets its regulatory and statutory obligations as an Approved Housing Body ahead of the statutory deadline for full registration with the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority in December 2025. Progress to date with this work has enabled NAHVI to prepare to apply for funding from the Capital Assistance Scheme to purchase a property for a person currently supported by Positive Futures (ROI).
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Positive Futures (NI) receives contract funding from a range of statutory organisations including all five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. Our supported living, peripatetic housing support and shared lives (adult placement) services also receive funding from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Supporting People Programme. The subsidiary companies in the Republic of Ireland receive funding from the HSE for the provision of supported living, community support, day opportunities, residential and HomeShare services. In addition, we receive income from grants, foundations, charitable trusts, individuals and community fundraising activities to fund specific projects.
Details of the group and company results for the year including our income and related expenditure, balance sheet and the related notes can be found on pages 20 - 34.
As a group, income has increased to £20,329,429 (2022: £18,312,531). The growth has come from all 3 organisations in the group.
In Northern Ireland, we continue to operate in a challenging environment with increasing costs and continued pressure from funders to deliver efficiencies in the services we provide. However, during the year we have increased the number of people we support in supported living services and income has also increased by £912,885 to £15,060,114 (2022: 14,093,712).
As is the case for all social care providers in Northern Ireland, we continue to face significant challenges in the recruitment and retention of quality staff required for the delivery of high quality services. This resulted in continued, significant, spending on agency workers of £1,329,778 (2022: £871,425).
Following changes in the values of our investments, we recorded a loss of £77,115 (2022: gain £9,027). Investments are reflected on the Balance Sheet at market value at 31 March 2023. Since the year end the market value of the charity’s investments has dropped due to various market factors. The charity holds investments for income and for long term gains.
While the Trustees are pleased to report a surplus across the group of £2,668,425 (2022: £686,608) we note this is also partly due to one off transactions related to this financial year.
Group turnover included Covid-19 funding received in respect of expenditure incurred in previous periods (£406,823) as well as NAHVI surplus following the change of control (£104,019). Group Surplus includes the value of NAHVI assets included upon change of control of £2,098,328.
The total group funds at 31 March 2023 were £8,516,892 (2022: £5,848,467). The total funds held for restricted purposes is £3,494,649 and of the unrestricted funds the Trustees have designated £2,222,523 details of this are shown in note 18.
The Trustees believe that despite the continuing challenging environment in Northern Ireland, the group remains in a good financial position.
The main financial risks the Trustees have identified are outlined in the Key Risks and Uncertainties section of this report.
KEY RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Positive Futures’ approach to risk management is guided by the Code of Good Governance and other professional best practice and takes full cognisance of the context and environment in which we operate. Our approach is not designed to eliminate all risk, rather to balance control, cost of control and appropriate risk taking. We have a risk management policy and procedure which clearly defines roles and responsibilities and details procedures for risk identification, monitoring, reporting and escalation of issues.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
The Corporate Risk Register is overseen and managed by the Corporate Services Director and owned by all Directors. The Corporate Risk Register (CRR) is a standing item at each of the meetings of the Board of Trustees (in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland).
During the reporting period, the CRR has included the following high risks:
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NI: Covid-19 pandemic and staffing / workforce issues
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ROI: Covid-19 pandemic.
In both NI and ROI, the Covid-19 pandemic remained a high risk on the Corporate Risk Register for the majority of the reporting period however this risk was de-escalated to the Operations Department Risk Register in February 2023 (following changes in some health and social care restrictions and ongoing effectiveness of risk control measures).
In NI, the other significant risk relates to staffing and workforce issues. In September 2022, the seriousness of this risk and the impact on our NI services resulted in an escalation of the risk to a critical rating (i.e. the most significant rating within our Risk Management Policy). In response to this critical risk, a Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) was established and a range of additional measures implemented to manage this critical risk. At the end of the reporting period (March 2023), the risk remained at a critical level, although there were improvements in overall staffing levels by this date.
The financial impact of the staffing issues and risk means we are budgeting for a financial deficit in NI for 2023/24. Following previous years of good financial management, the Trustees are confident that both the cash reserves held and the liquidity of our investments ensures we have adequate resources to meet the ongoing day to day operational needs of the organisation. Therefore the Trustees believe there is no issue in relation to the going concern status of the organisation.
To eliminate this budget deficit the leadership team continues to engage with the Department of Health and HSCTs to ensure our funding levels enable us to pay a rate of pay so we can recruit and retain both the quantity and quality of social care staff required to meet people’s needs.
As part of our approach to risk management, we have introduced an electronic risk, performance and meeting management system (DecisionTime, funded by the Supporting People Programme – Provider Innovation Fund). Rollout of this tool has been delayed (linked to challenges within operations to free managers up to work on the rollout) however a successful pilot has been completed in one of our supported living services which is now using the tool for the Service Risk Register. In 2023, training (including a session for Trustees) and roll out work to other services will be progressed.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
Our Corporate Plan 2020-24 sets out our corporate objectives for Positive Futures (NI) and its subsidiaries which inform each of our annual business plans (see earlier section for the detail of the four current priority areas of our Corporate Plan until March 2024).
We are starting to plan for the development of our next Corporate Plan (which will run from April 2024). This will be an all-Ireland plan covering all Group entities.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Positive Futures (NI) was first established on 2 October 1995 and was initially called United Response NI. We changed our name to Positive Futures in 2002 and have a Memorandum of Association which established our objects and powers and we are governed under its Articles of Association. We are a company limited by guarantee (CRN NI 29849) and are a registered charity with the Inland Revenue (charity number XR28291) and the Charity Commission NI (CCNI 101385). The address of the company’s registered office, which is also its principal address, is given on page 2.
The charity is managed by a Directors’ Team, headed by the Chief Executive, which operates within the authorities as delegated by the Trustees and detailed in the Delegated Authorities Policy. The governing body is the Board of Trustees whose members are also directors for the purposes of company law. Members of the Board of Trustees are elected by other Trustees and have responsibility for ensuring that the charity is performing well, is solvent and complies with all its obligations. The Directors’ Team reports to and attends Board and Sub Committee Meetings.
The Board is comprised of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Honorary Treasurer and Trustees with skills in HR, Law, Safeguarding, Education, Learning Disability Services, Finance and lived experience. At the end of March 2023 there were 12 Board members. Members of the Directors’ Team and the Board of Trustees are listed on page 2.
The Trustees have put in place a formal risk management framework for the charity to identify the major risks that the charity faces and establish systems to manage and mitigate those risks.
Members of the Board of Trustees receive no remuneration. Where claimed, expenses are reimbursed.
New Trustees are invited to meet with the Chair and the Chief Executive and are provided with an induction which includes clarification of roles, responsibilities and expectations of Trustees. The charity has a “Trustees Contact with Services Policy” which details the relationship between Trustees and the wider organisation and the expectation that Trustees will meet and spend time with staff and the people we support, however this is yet to be fully reinstated following the pandemic. Throughout this financial year, Trustees have returned to face to face Board meetings, although Committee Meetings remain virtual.
The arrangements for setting the pay and remuneration for the charity’s Chief Executive and Group Director lie with the Remuneration Committee of the Board of Trustees; this comprises three Trustees, one of whom is the Chair. In determining pay levels, the Committee benchmarks with equivalent market rates of pay, terms and conditions.
Subsidiaries
Positive Futures (NI) is the parent company of three subsidiary companies: Positive People (NI) C.I.C., Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. CLG (Positive Futures (ROI)), and National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired Company CLG. The details of these subsidiaries are provided in note 12 in the accounts.
The Trustees of Positive Futures (NI) are responsible for the Group's overall strategic direction.
Governance Review
Board performance in both Positive Futures (NI) and Positive Futures (ROI) was reviewed in the summer. This included individual reviews with each Board member as well as a review of the Chief Executive’s performance.
The Code of Good Governance (NI) and Charities Governance Code (ROI) sets out the principles and key elements of good governance for the Boards to follow.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Following the membership transfer of NAHVI to Positive Futures (ROI) on 1 September 2022, four Trustees resigned from the NAHVI Board, with three Trustees continuing in their role. Anthony Walsh and Karen Charnley joined the Board in August 2022 and December 2022 respectively, bringing skills and knowledge to the Board in the fields of finance, business and housing. Fiona Keogh, Trustee since Positive Futures (ROI) began providing governance oversight to NAHVI in 2018, assumed the role of Chairperson in December 2022. An audit of the skills, knowledge and experience of the Board will be carried out in September 2023, and we will recruit to the Board as any skills gaps are identified.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The details of the charity, Trustees, Chief Executive and Directors Team to whom the Trustees delegate day to day management of the charity, together with other relevant professional organisations who provide services and advice to the charity are listed on page 2.
Statement of recommended practice
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102)' and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102.
Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees are required by company law to prepare accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the company for that year.
The Trustees confirm that suitable accounting policies have been used, and these have been applied consistently, and reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates have been made in the preparation of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023. The Trustees also confirm that applicable accounting standards have been followed and that the accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Internal financial controls
The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring that the company has in place an appropriate system of internal controls, financial and otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance that:
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the company is operating efficiently and effectively;
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its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition;
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proper records are maintained, and financial information used within the company or for publication is reliable; and
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the company complies with relevant laws and regulations.
The company’s systems of financial control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss.
Statement of disclosure to auditors
The Trustees confirm that:
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so far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware; and
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they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as members in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Trustees’ Report (continued)
Employee involvement, equal opportunities and disabled employees
Since its inception, Positive Futures has had an Equal Opportunities Policy in place which is reviewed and updated as necessary. This Policy makes particular reference to the equality and fair treatment which the organisation promotes in relation to people with a disability which covers the recruitment, training, support and ongoing development of people with disabilities.
In addition, as an organisation which focusses on support to people with disabilities, we are committed to ensuring that all our practices, on a daily basis, reflect the letter and spirit of this Policy.
In 2006, Positive Futures (NI) established a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), comprising representatives from all our service locations. In 2019, a JCC was also established in Positive Futures (ROI) and, in April 2023, an Employee Engagement Forum was established in NAHVI. The Employee Engagement Forum covers the same broad areas as the JCC, however, given the size of NAHVI, it includes all staff as opposed to having service reps. The purpose of these groups is to help staff to shape and inform the organisation’s development and decision making through a process of consultation, discussion and agreement with Directors, as well as to be consulted on key organisational issues. This has proven to be a very useful forum which reports annually to the Board of Trustees. Through these groups, we also provide employees with key organisational information including information on the financial, economic, health and safety and policy context within which the organisation operates.
Auditors
A resolution to re-appoint the auditors, ASM (B) Ltd, will be submitted at the Annual General Meeting.
The Trustees’ Report and the Strategic Report contained therein were approved by the Board of Trustees on 26 September 2023
John Alexander Chair
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives (the ‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise: the consolidated and company statements of financial activities; the consolidated and company balance sheets; the consolidated statement of cash flows; and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of the Group’s and the parent company’s incoming resources and application of resources, including the Group’s and the parent company’s income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (ISAs) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those 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 United Kingdom and Ireland, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs require us to report to you where:
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the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
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the Trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and auditors
The Trustees are responsible for the other information included in the annual report. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
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Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. (continued)
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 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 other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Group Trustees' Report including the Strategic Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Group Trustees' Report, including the Strategic Report, has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is 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 Trustees are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Page 13
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of Positive Futures:
Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. (continued)
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to 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:
- We considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: timing of recognition of income; and posting of unusual journals along with complex transactions. We discussed these risks with client management, designed audit procedures to test the timing of income, tested a sample of journals to confirm they were appropriate and reviewed areas of judgement for indicators of management bias to address these risks.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Christine Hagan (Senior Statutory Auditor ) for and on behalf of ASM (B) Ltd Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Glendinning House 6 Murray Street Belfast BT1 6DN
26 September 2023
ASM (B) Ltd are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
Page 14
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Consolidated Statement of financial activities
(incorporating the Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account)
| Notes Income and endowments from: Investments 3 Charitable activities 5 Other Income 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net gains/(losses) on investments 12 Net income/(expenditure) Other recognised gains / (losses) Unrealised foreign exchange gain/(loss) Exceptional item 16 Transfers Transfers between funds 17 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 17 Total funds carried forward 17 |
Restricted £ - 8,366,515 - |
Unrestricted £ 26,291 11,934,201 2,571 11,963,063 |
2023 £ 26,291 20,300,716 2,571 20,329,578 (19,751,127) (19,751,127) (77,115) 501,336 68,761 2,098,328 - 2,668,425 5,848,467 8,516,892 |
2022 £ 16,084 18,288,149 8,288 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,366,515 | 18,312,521 | ||||
| (8,351,454) | (11,399,673) (11,399,673) (77,115) 486,275 3,520 391,732 (617,126) 264,401 4,757,842 5,022,243 |
(17,620,991) | |||
| (8,351,454) | (17,620,991) | ||||
| - | 9,027 | ||||
| 15,061 | 700,557 | ||||
| 65,241 1,706,596 617,126 2,404,024 |
(13,949) - - 686,608 |
||||
| 1,090,625 | 5,161,859 | ||||
| 3,494,649 | 5,848,467 |
All amounts above relate to continuing operations of the group.
The notes on pages 20 to 34 form part of these accounts.
Page 15
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Company Statement of financial activities (incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account)
| Notes Income and endowments from: Investments 3 Charitable activities 5 Other Income 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net gains/(losses) on investments 12 Net income/(expenditure) Other recognised gains Transfers Transfers between funds 17 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Restricted £ - 2,567,732 - 2,567,732 (2,950,252) (2,950,252) - (382,520) 614,126 231,896 (231,896) - |
Unrestricted £ 26,291 12,466,091 - 12,492,382 (11,962,854) (11,962,854) (77,115) 452,413 (614,126) (162,003) 4,707,840 4,545,837 |
2023 £ 26,291 15,033,823 - 15,060,114 (14,913,106) (14,913,106) (77,115) 69,893 - 69,893 4,475,944 4,545,837 |
2022 £ 16,084 14,076,701 927 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14,093,712 | ||||
| (13,703,623) | ||||
| (13,703,623) | ||||
| 9,027 399,115 - 399,115 |
||||
| 4,076,829 | ||||
| 4,475,944 |
All amounts above relate to continuing operations of the company.
The notes on pages 20 to 34 form part of these accounts.
Page 16
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Consolidated Balance sheet
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 11 Investments 12 Current assets Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 14 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 17 Restricted funds 17 Total funds |
2023 £ 3,075,282 824,904 3,900,186 2,535,198 4,386,772 6,921,970 (2,305,264) 4,616,706 8,516,892 8,516,892 5,022,243 3,494,649 8,516,692 |
2022 £ 1,722,777 866,836 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,589,613 | ||
| 2,083,627 2,954,056 |
||
| 5,037,683 (1,778,829) |
||
| 3,258,854 | ||
| 5,848,467 | ||
| 5,848,467 | ||
| 4,757,842 1,090,625 |
||
| 5,848,467 |
The accounts on pages 15 to 34 were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 September 2023.
_____
John Alexander Trustee
_____
Mairead Mitchell Trustee
Co. Registration No. NI 029849
The notes on pages 20 to 34 form part of these accounts.
Page 17
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Company Balance sheet
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 11 Investments 12 Current assets Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 14 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Net assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 17 Restricted funds 17 Total funds |
2023 £ 1,498,410 824,904 2,323,314 2,029,464 1,744,901 3,774,365 (1,551,842) 2,222,524 4,545,837 4,545,837 4,545,837 - 4,545,837 |
2022 £ 1,619,885 866,836 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,486,721 | ||
| 1,943,694 1,384,322 |
||
| 3,328,016 (1,338,793) |
||
| 1,989,223 | ||
| 4,475,944 | ||
| 4,475,944 | ||
| 4,707,840 (231,896) |
||
| 4,475,944 |
The accounts on pages 15 to 34 were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 September 2023.
__
John Alexander Trustee
Mairead Mitchell Trustee
Co. Registration No. NI 029849
The notes on pages 20 to 34 form part of these accounts.
Page 18
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
| Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by operating activities (see below) 3,012,812 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interest and rents from investments 26,291 Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 12,191 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (160,246) Assets on Acquisition (1,423,446) (Purchase) / sale of investments (34,886) Net cash (used in) investment activities (1,580,096) Change in cash in the reporting period 1,432,716 Cash at the beginning of the reporting period 2,954,056 Cash at the end of the reporting period 4,386,772 Reconciliation of net income to net cash inflow from operating activities 2023 £ Net income for the reporting period (as per the Consolidated Statement of financial activities) 2,668,425 Adjusted for: Depreciation charges 231,262 (Gains)/ losses on investments 77,115 Dividends, interest and rents from investments (26,291) (Decrease)/Increase in creditors 526,435 (Increase)/Decrease in debtors (451,571) (Profit)/Loss on disposal of Fixed Assets (2,571) Exchange difference on consolidation (9,992) Net cash provided by operating activities 3,012,812 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 31 March Cash 2022 Flow £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 2,954,056 1,432,716 Total cash and cash equivalents 2,954,056 1,432,716 |
2023 £ 3,012,812 26,291 12,191 (160,246) (1,423,446) (34,886) |
2022 £ (124,351) 16,084 13,315 (148,170) - (14,559) |
||
| (1,580,096) | (133,330) (257,681) 3,211,737 2,954,056 2022 £ 686,608 169,782 (9,027) (16,084) (182,129) (766,411) - (7,090) (124,351) 31 March 2023 £ 4,386,772 4,386,722 |
|||
| 1,432,716 | ||||
| 2,954,056 | ||||
| 4,386,772 | ||||
The notes on pages 20 to 34 form part of these accounts.
Page 19
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and modified to include the revaluation of investments and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (FRS 102) and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102. A summary of the more important accounting policies, which have been applied consistently, is set out below.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the company and its subsidiary undertakings as listed in note 12.
Public Benefit
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives is a public benefit entity which is a company limited by guarantee, registered number NI29849. The company details are listed on page 2.
Funds
The charity receives various types of funding which require separate treatment. These are as follows:
-
a) unrestricted funds: funds which may be expended at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity; and
-
b) restricted funds: funds which are earmarked by the donor for specific purposes.
Designated funds
Designated funds relate to unrestricted incoming resources in the current and previous years, which are allocated to fund specific activities in future accounting periods.
Incoming resources
All income and grants of a revenue nature are credited to income in the period to which they relate. Income is only deferred when grants or income is received in advance of the year to which they relate.
Grants specifically for capital expenditure are credited to incoming resources in the period the capital expenditure is incurred. A designated fund is created in reserves, which is reduced over the expected useful lives of the related assets by equal annual instalments.
Other incoming resources are credited to income in the period to which they relate.
Funds received which have been earmarked by the donor for specific purposes are treated as restricted incoming resources.
Resources expended
Resources expended are analysed between restricted and unrestricted resources expended. The charity allocates resources expended into restricted and unrestricted elements on the basis of the direct and indirect costs associated with providing the service over the longer term. To ensure consistency, indirect costs are apportioned between funding sources on the basis of the cost allocation formulae determined at the establishment of the particular service.
Page 20
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Going Concern
No material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern have been identified by the Trustees.
Pension scheme
The company operates a group personal pension plan. This defined contribution pension scheme is open to all staff. Employer’s contributions vary as a % of pensionable earnings depending on the staff member’s agreed terms and conditions. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in independently administered funds, and contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Operating leases
Costs in respect of operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are stated at their purchase cost, together with any incidental costs of acquisition. The company’s policy is to capitalise individual fixed assets costing £300 or more.
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets (excluding land), less their estimated residual values, on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the assets concerned. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are as follows:
| % | |
|---|---|
| Buildings | 4 - 25 |
| Motor vehicles | 25 |
| Fixtures and fittings | 25 |
| Computer equipment | 25 |
| Plant and machinery | 25-33 |
Debtors
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts.
Creditors and provisions for liabilities and charges
Creditors and provisions for liabilities and charges are measured at their settlement amount.
Judgements and estimates
In the process of applying the company's accounting policies, management has not made any significant judgements. There are no key assumptions concerning the future or other key sources of estimation, that have a significant risk of raising a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Investments
In accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, investments, other than those in subsidiary companies, are shown in the balance sheet at market value. Subsidiary companies are stated at cost.
Page 21
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Foreign Currency
Transactions in a foreign currency are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities.
2. Volunteers
Our volunteers are involved in a range of activities from administrative tasks through to supporting the people we support to have the life they want. The contribution made by our volunteers in Family Support and Shared Lives Services is critical to the successful delivery of these Services.
3. Investment income
| Bank interest Income from investments |
2023 £ 3,860 22,431 26,291 |
2022 £ (117) 16,201 |
|---|---|---|
| 16,084 |
4. Other Income
| Group 2023 2022 £ £ Profit from disposal of fixed assets 2,571 8,288 2,571 8,288 . Incoming resources from charitable activities Group Restricted Unrestricted 2023 Restricted £ £ £ £ Health Board and Trust income - 11,290,315 11,290,315 - Supporting People income 2,485,901 - 2,485,901 1,962,933 Health Service Executive Grant 5,785,442 - 5,785,442 4,512,002 Income from service users 13,342 519,124 532,466 13,575 Other fees and grants 81,830 89,381 171,211 377,885 Consultancy income - - - - Gifts and other income - 35,381 35,381 - 8,366,515 11,934,201 20,300,716 6,866,395 |
Company 2023 2022 £ £ - 927 - 927 Unrestricted 2022 £ £ 10,823,336 10,823,336 - 1,962,933 - 4,512,002 455,765 469,340 21,420 399,305 103,432 103,432 17,801 17,801 11,421,754 18,288,149 |
Company 2023 2022 £ £ - 927 - 927 Unrestricted 2022 £ £ 10,823,336 10,823,336 - 1,962,933 - 4,512,002 455,765 469,340 21,420 399,305 103,432 103,432 17,801 17,801 11,421,754 18,288,149 |
Company 2023 2022 £ £ - 927 - 927 Unrestricted 2022 £ £ 10,823,336 10,823,336 - 1,962,933 - 4,512,002 455,765 469,340 21,420 399,305 103,432 103,432 17,801 17,801 11,421,754 18,288,149 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 927 | |||
| 2022 £ 10,823,336 1,962,933 4,512,002 469,340 399,305 103,432 17,801 |
|||
| 11,421,754 | 18,288,149 |
5. Incoming resources from charitable activities
Page 22
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
5. Incoming resources from charitable activities (continued)
| Company Health Board and Trust income Supporting People income Income from service users Other fees and grants Gifts and other income |
Restricted £ - 2,485,901 - 81,831 - 2,567,732 |
Unrestricted £ 11,290,315 - 488,328 89,109 598,339 12,466,091 |
2023 £ 11,290,315 2,485,901 488,328 170,940 598,339 15,033,823 |
Restricted £ - 1,962,933 - 377,885 - 2,340,818 |
Unrestricted £ 10,823,336 - 455,765 13,557 443,225 11,735,883 |
2022 £ 10,823,336 1,962,933 455,765 391,442 443,225 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14,076,701 |
6. Expenditure on charitable activities
The company allocates its costs between Restricted and Unrestricted expenditure as follows:
| Group Direct care staff costs Head Office staff costs Other staff costs ICT costs Travel, subsistence and volunteers’ expenses Training costs Premises and insurance costs Depreciation Other support costs Company Direct care staff costs Head Office staff costs Other staff costs ICT costs Travel, subsistence and volunteers’ expenses Training costs Premises and insurance costs Depreciation Other support costs |
Restricted £ 5,988,065 405,538 395,397 39,769 242,350 110,162 290,606 70,393 809,174 8,351,454 Restricted £ 2,597,790 33,583 30,585 5,293 26,347 80,607 80,693 2,582 92,772 2,950,252 |
Restricted £ 5,988,065 405,538 395,397 39,769 242,350 110,162 290,606 70,393 809,174 8,351,454 Restricted £ 2,597,790 33,583 30,585 5,293 26,347 80,607 80,693 2,582 92,772 2,950,252 |
Unrestricted £ 9,225,488 1,287,979 91,692 117,292 181,578 8,153 309,836 153,771 23,884 11,399,673 Unrestricted £ 9,682,704 1,348,609 94,621 122,916 189,636 7,022 327,204 160,942 29,200 11,962,854 |
2023 £ 15,213,553 1,693,517 487,088 157,061 423,928 118,315 600,442 224,164 833,058 19,751,127 2023 £ 12,280,494 1,382,192 125,206 128,209 215,983 87,629 407,897 163,524 121,972 14,913,106 |
Restricted £ 5,464,311 429,989 42,993 21,081 183,730 117,983 219,281 35,131 564,431 7,078,930 Restricted £ 2,494,245 37,878 29,656 2,732 39,329 84,368 72,236 3,966 82,671 2,847,081 |
Unrestricted £ 8,169,326 1,533,314 82,553 91,449 152,245 45,662 268,228 130,783 68,501 10,542,061 Unrestricted £ 8,405,370 1,577,636 85,719 94,105 157,117 49,330 277,023 134,584 75,658 10,856,542 |
2022 £ 13,633,637 1,963,303 125,546 112,530 335,975 163,645 487,509 165,914 632,932 17,620,991 2022 £ 10,899,615 1,615,514 115,375 96,837 196,446 133,698 349,259 138,550 158,329 13,703,623 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,950,252 |
Direct care staff costs include the provision of personal care and housing support to the people we support.
Page 23
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
7. Employee information
The average weekly number of persons, including part time and relief staff employed by the group during the year was:
| s: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| By activity: Direct care activities Administration and training Staff costs (for the above persons) Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
Group 2023 2022 Number Number 608 583 92 93 700 676 Group 2023 2022 £ £ 14,342,931 13,265,986 1,286,390 1,206,496 345,237 331,553 15,974,558 14,804,035 |
Company 2023 2022 Number Number 512 512 75 78 587 590 Company 2023 2022 £ £ 10,908,105 10,324,228 984,761 897,685 298,858 299,059 12,191,724 11,520,972 |
|
Spend on agency workers amounted to £1,329,778 (2022: £871,425).
Pension contributions in the year for the provision of a defined contribution scheme amounted to £345,237 (2022: £331,553) and contributions due at the year-end amounted to £38 (2022: £154).
Additional 25 employees are employed by NAHVI which became part of the group on 1 September 2022.
During the year one employee, the Chief Executive of the group, received remuneration (excluding employer’s pension contributions) of £110,107 (2022: £107,632).
One other employee (2022: one) received emoluments (excluding employer’s pension contributions) between £80,000 and £90,000 during the year.
One employee (2022: one) received emoluments (excluding employer’s pension contributions) between £70,000 and £80,000 during the year.
None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year.
During the year the Director Team received remuneration (excluding employer’s pension contributions) totalling £485,223 (2022: £371,995).
During the year no employees (2022: none) received a termination payment.
During the year, the costs for six employees (2022: four) were recharged to another Group Company, 2 of which relate to the new group entity NAHVI.
Page 24
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
8. Net incoming resources
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): | ||
| Depreciation on tangible owned fixed assets | 231,262 | 169,782 |
| (Profit)/Loss on revaluation of investments | 77,115 | (9,027) |
| Interest (receivable)/payable | 3,860 | 117 |
| Auditors’ remuneration - audit | 33,543 | 18,600 |
| Auditors’ remuneration - other | 7,872 | 19,481 |
| (Profit)/Loss on disposal of tangible assets | 2,571 | (8,288) |
9. Taxation
The group is exempt from taxation due to its charitable status as approved by the Inland Revenue and Revenue Commissioners. No tax is therefore payable on the surplus for the year £2,668,425 (2022: £686,608)
10. Auditors’ remuneration
The auditors’ remuneration of £41,415 (2022: £38,081) is split as follows:
| Audit services - group Payroll, Tax and other services |
2023 £ 33,543 7,872 41,415 |
2022 £ 18,600 19,481 |
|---|---|---|
| 38,081 |
Page 25
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Group tangible fixed assets Cost At 31 March 2022 Additions Disposals Exchange adjustments At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 31 March 2022 Charge for the year Disposals Exchange adjustments At 31 March 2023 Net book values At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 Company tangible fixed assets Cost At 31 March 2022 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 31 March 2022 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 March 2023 Net book values At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 |
Land & buildings £ 2,370,296 1,420,370 - 11,281 3,801,947 871,213 119,230 - 2,371 992,814 2,809,133 1,499,083 Land & buildings £ 2,334,936 1,028 - 2,335,964 835,852 97,259 - 933,112 1,402,852 1,499,084 |
Land & buildings £ 2,370,296 1,420,370 - 11,281 |
Motor vehicles £ 275,322 59,867 (25,100) 4,502 |
Fixtures & fittings £ 238,737 79,308 - 2,339 320,384 219,152 10,669 - 695 230,516 89,868 19,585 Fixtures & fittings £ 213,413 1,001 - 214,414 203,305 4,940 - 208,245 6,169 10,108 |
Fixtures & fittings £ 238,737 79,308 - 2,339 320,384 219,152 10,669 - 695 230,516 89,868 19,585 Fixtures & fittings £ 213,413 1,001 - 214,414 203,305 4,940 - 208,245 6,169 10,108 |
Computer equipment £ 326,209 20,044 (53,410) 433 |
Plant and Machinery £ 6,017 - - - 6,017 5,071 353 - - 5,424 593 946 Plant and Machinery £ 1,412 - - 1,412 466 353 - 819 593 946 |
Plant and Machinery £ 6,017 - - - 6,017 5,071 353 - - 5,424 593 946 Plant and Machinery £ 1,412 - - 1,412 466 353 - 819 593 946 |
Total £ 3,216,581 1,579,589 (78,510) 18,555 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,801,947 | 314,591 | 293,276 | 4,736,215 | |||||||||
| 871,213 119,230 - 2,371 |
128,719 65,782 (18,079) 1,129 |
269,649 35,228 (50,453) 204 |
1,493,804 231,262 (68,532) 4,399 |
|||||||||
| 992,814 | 177,551 | 254,628 | 1,660,993 | |||||||||
| 2,809,133 | 137,040 | 38,648 | 3,075,282 | |||||||||
| 1,499,083 | 146,603 | 56,560 | 1,722,777 | |||||||||
| Motor vehicles £ 151,832 24,439 (8,250) 168,021 91,676 30,286 (8,250) 113,712 54,309 60,156 |
Fixtures & fittings £ 213,413 1,001 - 214,414 203,305 4,940 - 208,245 6,169 10,108 |
Computer equipment £ 286,706 18,538 (53,410) 251,834 237,115 30,686 (50,453) 217,348 34,486 49,591 |
Plant and Machinery £ 1,412 - - 1,412 466 353 - 819 593 946 |
Total £ 2,988,299 45,006 (61,660) 2,971,645 1,368,414 163,524 (58,703) 1,473,236 1,498,410 1,619,885 |
||||||||
Page 26
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
12. Investments
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Investments at market value at 31 March 2022 | 866,836 |
| Investment income reinvested | 0 |
| Purchase of investments | 164,994 |
| Disposal of Invetsments | (129,811) |
| Net gain on revaluation and realisation | (77,115) |
| Investments at market value at 31 March 2023 | 824,904 |
The historical cost of the investments is £889,483 (2022: £848,713).
Positive Futures has an investment policy which provides a framework for making investment decisions. These investments aim to provide a balance between capital growth and income generation over the medium to long term with a medium level of risk. Except as noted below the investments are in a mixture of liquid assets such as equities, fixed interest securities, alternative assets and cash within allocation ranges as set out in the investment policy. For ethical reasons no direct equity investment is made in Tobacco, Alcohol, Gambling, Armaments and industries involved in exploitation of Human Rights. The management of investments is done by an external discretionary Investment Manager appointed by the Trustees.
Investments are reflected on the Balance Sheet at market value at 31 March 2023. Since the year end the market value of the charity’s investments has dropped due to various market factors. The charity holds investments for income and for long term gains.
Page 27
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Positive Futures also exercises control over three subsidiary companies whose results are detailed below:
| Name Business |
Registered Office Shares held Period end Turnover in year (£) |
Profit/(loss) after tax (£) Net assets/ (liabilities) (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Positive People (NI) C.I.C Registered Number NI623255 Employment Agency Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. CLG Registered Number 566738 Provision of Social Care Services Charity Registration number 20106348 National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired (NAHVI) CLG Registered Number 317329 Provision of Social Care Services Charity Registration number CHY13759 |
2b Park Drive Bangor County Down None – limited by guarantee 31 March 2023 - Nesta Business Centre Unit 4-5 Burton Hall Park Burton Hall Road Sandyford Business Park Dublin 18 D18 A094 None – limited by guarantee 31 March 2023 5,121,228 56 Hazelwood Beaverstown Road, Donabate Co. Dublin K36 XR28 None – limited by guarantee 31 December 2022 1,311,959 |
(84) (32,192) 388,517 1,761,227 189,030 2,209,899 |
A business combination in respect of Positive Futures (Ireland) and NAHVI took place with effect from 1 September 2022. Positive Futures (Ireland) is the immediate controlling party of NAHVI and Positive Futures (Northern Ireland) is the ultimate controlling party. As the results of this, NAHVI have been consolidated into the Positive Futures Group financial statements.
Page 28
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
13. Debtors
| Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings Provision for amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings |
Group 2023 £ 2,107,920 27,068 400,210 - - 2,535,198 |
Group 2022 £ 1,246,260 13,884 823,483 - - 2,083,627 |
Company 2023 £ 1,565,913 27,068 344,544 123,981 (32,042) 2,029,464 |
Company 2022 £ 1,061,982 13,884 704,951 194,919 (32,042) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,943,694 |
14. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Other taxes and social security |
Group 2023 £ 602,974 335,830 1,065,050 301,410 2,305,264 |
Group 2022 £ 370,864 304,792 834,321 268,852 1,778,829 |
Company 2023 £ 514,748 279,639 540,230 217,225 1,551,842 |
Company 2022 £ 383,593 174,981 579,653 200,566 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,338,793 |
15. Deferred income
Included in accruals and deferred income is deferred income of £531,131 (2022: £504,673) for the Group, and £143,953 (2022: £269,233) for the Company. Deferred income comprises deferred grants and income for services to be provided after the year end.
| Balance as at 31 March 2022 Amount released to incoming resources Amount deferred in year Balance as at 31 March 2023 |
Group Company £ £ 504,673 269,233 (269,722) (151,006) 296,180 155,537 |
|---|---|
| 531,131 273,764 |
Page 29
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
16. Exceptional item
Included in this year’s figures are the exceptional item in relation to NAHVI which was brought into the Group on 1 September 2022. The breakdown of the exceptional item is as follows:
| Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities Net Assets Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds |
NAHVI £ 1,423,446 795,171 (120,289) |
|---|---|
| 2,098,328 | |
| 391,732 1,706,596 |
|
| 2,098,328 |
17. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds NAHVI General funds Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Supporting People Supporting People – Special Recognition Payment Department of Health – Special Recognition Payment Supporting People – Covid- 19 Emergency Funding Big Lottery Fund Grant: Reaching Out: Supporting Families HSE Grants Other restricted funds NAHVI Total restricted funds Total funds |
At 31 March 2022 £ 2,168,229 - 2,589,613 4,757,842 - - - (231,896) - 1,334,764 (12,243) - 1,090,625 5,848,467 |
Income £ - 429,324 11,928,991 12,358,315 2,079,078 1,754 80,077 406,822 - 5,013,993 78,583 2,478,045 10,138,352 22,496,667 |
Expenditure £ - - (11,476,788) (11,476,788) (2,792,884) (1,716) (77,947) - (77,704) (4,702,976) (6,113) (692,114) (8,351,454) (19,888,242) |
Expenditure £ - - (11,476,788) (11,476,788) (2,792,884) (1,716) (77,947) - (77,704) (4,702,976) (6,113) (692,114) (8,351,454) (19,888,242) |
Transfer s £ 104,006 (2,710) (718,422) (617,126) 713,806 (38) (2,130) (174,926) 77,704 - - 2,710 617,126 - |
At 31 March 2023 £ 2,272,235 426,614 2,323,394 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,022,243 | ||||||
| (2,792,884) (1,716) (77,947) - (77,704) (4,702,976) (6,113) (692,114) (8,351,454) (19,888,242) |
- - - - - 1,645,781 60,227 1,788,641 |
|||||
| 3,494,649 | ||||||
| 8,516,892 |
Page 30
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
The charity’s policy in respect of transfers between designated funds is set out in the Trustees’ Report. The transfers affected in respect of the year ended 31 March 2023 are set out in detail in note 17.
The Supporting People restricted funds have arisen from funding received from the Supporting People programme. The programme funds a range of services which provide housing related support to vulnerable people to improve their quality of life and gain independence. The funds are restricted to be used on the agreed services and support tasks contained in the funding agreements. The Trustees have previously agreed to eliminate annually any deficit that arises in respect of that fund.
The Supporting People – Covid-19 Emergency Funding restricted fund arose from funding to cover exceptional costs associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Claims submitted for funding were approved and paid in this financial year so this fund is no longer in place.
The Big Lottery Fund Grant: Reaching Out: Supporting Families restricted fund arises from funding received to fund a range of services for children with a learning disability (0 – 12 years old) and their families.
HSE grants are for the provision of care and support services in the Republic of Ireland.
Other restricted funds arise from grant funding received that is restricted for use in specific projects. The Trustees have agreed to make available reserves to eliminate any deficits that arise.
Page 31
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
18. Analysis of designated fund movement
The funds designated by the Board of Trustees in line with their policies as set out in the Trustees’ Report:
| Designated funds Under occupancy fund Redundancy fund Service development fund Building repairs and maintenance fund Organisational development Fund Management development and training fund Volunteer coordination fund Replacement MV fund User involvement / PCP PR and fundraising Replacement IT and F&F Digital transformation Behaviour support fund Legal costs fund Health and wellbeing Strategy Corporate planning Recruitment and retention Strategy Capital grants fund Covid-19 pandemic fund Climate change fund Covid-19 emergency funding Family services fund Agency staff usage fund PF Republic of Ireland fund Designated funds Unrestricted funds NAHVI General fund Total unrestricted funds |
Balance at 31 March 2022 £ 65,000 65,000 50,000 340,443 40,000 55,000 50,000 50,000 8,000 114,000 40,000 200,000 52,000 50,000 30,000 7,500 469,573 159,817 50,000 40,000 231,896 - - - 2,168,229 - 2,589,613 4,757,842 |
Retained surplus / (deficit) for the year £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 429,234 452,203 881,527 |
Transfers (from)/to funds £ - - - (7,336) - (10,000) (50,000) - - (70,000) - 133,000 - - (2,500) - (213,573) (9,401) (50,000) - (231,896) 28,000 538,000 49,712 104,006 (2,710) (718,422) (617,126) |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 65,000 65,000 50,000 333,107 40,000 45,000 - 50,000 8,000 44,000 40,000 333,000 52,000 50,000 27,500 7,500 256,000 150,416 - 40,000 - 28,000 538,000 49,712 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,272,235 | ||||
| 426,614 | ||||
| 2,323,394 | ||||
| 5,022,243 |
In the year ended 31 March 2023 a transfer was made of £617,126 (2022: £510,989) from unrestricted funds. This was to eliminate a deficit in restricted funds, note 17.
Page 32
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
19. Operating leases
At 31 March 2023, the group had future minimum lease payment commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| Group Land and buildings expiring: In less than one year Between two and five years More than five years Motor vehicles expiring: In less than one year Between two and five years More than five years |
2023 £ 106,965 120,333 - 227,298 2023 £ 5,559 - - 5,559 |
2022 £ 72,426 195,664 7,526 |
|---|---|---|
| 275,616 | ||
| 2022 £ 12,822 - |
||
| 12,822 |
Lease payments recognised as expenses in the period were £98,825.
At 31 March 2023, the Company had future minimum lease payment commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
| Company Land and buildings expiring: In less than one year Between two and five years More than five years |
2023 £ 72,416 107,356 0 179,772 |
2022 £ 64,943 173,216 7,526 |
|---|---|---|
| 245,685 |
Lease payments recognised as expenses in the period were £82,242.
Page 33
Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. Annual report for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes to the accounts (continued)
20. Contingent liabilities
A contingent liability exists to repay grants received, where certain conditions have not been fulfilled by the company. In the opinion of the Trustees, the terms of the letters of offer have been complied with and no liability is expected.
With the NAHVI company there is contingent liabilities in relation to Property Charges: In the event that the company should cease to use certain properties for the purpose which the grants were received, these grants could become repayable, in part or in whole. Also, there is a number of legal charges in place over the related properties as a result of the grants received.
21. Guarantors
The company is a company limited by guarantee and does not have share capital. The liability of guarantors is limited to £1 in the event of the company being wound up.
22. Control
The company is controlled by a Board of Trustees.
23. Analysis of payments to Trustees and Related Parties by the group
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Payments to ARC Limited | 2,255 | 1,100 |
| Reimbursement of expenses to Trustees | 360 | - |
| Services received from NAHVI | 951 | 2,072 |
| Services provided to NAHVI | (153,971) | (103,587) |
Expenses reimbursed to Trustees are for travel and subsistence. Trustees (2022: none) were reimbursed for £360 expenses during the year.
Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. was also a Trustee of ARC Limited during the year, a charitable company which provided services to Positive Futures.
Fiona Keogh and John Alexander, Directors of Positive Futures, were also Directors of the National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired (NAHVI). Services provided to NAHVI and received from were done on an arm’s length basis until 31 August 2022.
As of 1 September 2022, Positive Futures acquired the operations, assets and liabilities of the National Association for Visually Impaired (NAHVI) for nil consideration. Of the services provided to NAHV I £36,695 were services provided up to 31 August 2022 and the remainder services were provided after the change of control.
Except as disclosed above there were no other related party transactions during the year.
Page 34