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2024-01-31-accounts

Company Registration No. NI030816 (Northern Ireland)

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST (Being a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Charity Reference NIC102521

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Charity information 1
Trustees’ report 2 – 7
Independent Examiner’s report 8
Statement of financial activities 9 – 10
Balance sheet 11 – 12
Notes to the financial statements 13 – 21

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mrs Suzanne Brown
Mrs Rachel Coural resigned 30 July 2024
Mr William Crymble
Mr Alan Hutton appointed 17 October 2024
Mr John Mairs resigned 30 July 2024
Dr Paul Martin
Mr Trevor McKeown appointed 30 July 2024
Mrs Deborah Mullan resigned 19 May 2023
Mrs Danielle Rosborough
Mrs Catriona Ross resigned 27 October 2023
Prof Arthur Williamson
Chairperson Mrs Suzanne Brown
Company number NI030816
Charity number NIC102521
Registered office The Sandel Centre
6 Knocklynn Road
Coleraine
Co Londonderry
BT52 1WT
Independent Examiners Ruth Walls
Chartered Certified Accountants
31 Lisnamuck Road
Coleraine
Co Londonderry
BT51 4HN
Solicitors Thomas Taggart & Sons
27 Church Street
Ballymoney
BT53 6HS
Bankers Santander
Bridle Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L30 4GB

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’.

Objectives and activities

Purpose of the charity

The charity exists to promote the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland without distinction on grounds of gender, race or political, religious or other opinions by:

Principal activities of the charity

In 2023/24 the charity sought to advance the education of its beneficiaries by providing a space for various groups, businesses and charities to teach and encourage a number of skills in order to increase knowledge or understanding and provide an enjoyable hobby or experience. The variety and detail of these activities are listed below.

Training

There were classes held by organisations to teach specific skills necessary to meet regulations in the workplace, such as health and safety, first aid, best practice and current regulations and procedures. These were held for both local and national charities and small, medium and large organisations in the public and private sectors.

Hobbies

Adult classes such as flower arranging, Spanish classes, table tennis, Art-for-All, sewing and knitting classes and several Christmas wreath making workshops continue to run regularly in the centre. The former two were run by a charity called U3A that organises activities for those who are retired or semi-retired. We have continued to have evening pilates classes and are now able to offer a morning pilates class run by another qualified local physiotherapist. Most of the classes held in the centre are open to all members of the public.

Support groups

The centre was home to several support groups such as Family Mediation NI, Unislim, Tiny Life, Autism NI and Causeway Neurodiversity, thereby offering a place for the community to find relief from their situations and find support from those organisations that were best qualified to provide it. We have also welcomed new clients who have provided therapies on a self-employed basis such as Occupational and Speech and Language Therapy, which has been particularly beneficial for children struggling in this area.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Charity training

Over the years we have supported charities by offering room hire at a discounted rate. They have used the rooms for training and support for those who are involved in the charities and have provided skills and training to sections of the community that we would not have the essential skills to help ourselves. By facilitating them, we have increased our ability to help those in disadvantaged situations without necessarily having the skill set required ourselves. We also continue to host charities that have been loyal to the centre for many years.

Meeting Spaces

We have continued to offer our rooms to organisations that need a space outside of their normal working environment or a common ground for a number of represented groups to gather. We have been a meeting place for local primary school principals to have a monthly meeting. Similarly, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, NHSCT, PSNI and North Coast Association have used the centre for regular meetings. We have also been the venue for a number of funerals and weddings in the past year.

Community garden

The Mountsandel Community Garden was established four years ago and is accessible to the general public all day, every day. They continue to offer a weekly gardening hour with a time for chores, planting and even the odd freshly baked homemade treat. It continues to draw people in who are lonely or suffering from mental health problems, they are able to come along and be a part of the community as well as having a beautiful and well-maintained space to enjoy.

Children’s classes

Jollytots, the centre’s very own mother and baby group, is run by a committed team of volunteers and in 2023/24 they had to close registration as they had reached their maximum capacity. The committee who run this group are constantly thinking of new ways to entertain both the children and the adults and make a special effort at times such as Christmas and Easter. The centre was home to a number of other children’s classes during the 2023/24 year with baby massage, Babies who Brunch and Push-it-Mama for both baby and mum.

Birthday Parties

We introduced an all-in-one birthday party package during 2023/24, offering 3 hours room hire of the main hall with a bouncy castle included, for £100. We also offered the option to have food catered for by Ground Coffee and Kitchen and face painting by a local artist. This has been a success as it has not only taken the hassle out of organising parties at home for the parents but has increased the number of people using the café during the time of the party.

Youth services

There are regular activities specifically for young people held in the centre. This includes the Friday Fun Club which is for primary school age children. Explore also meet at the centre every Tuesday afternoon and is for secondary school age children to explore the Bible together, share how their week is going and support each other. Animate also meet in the centre fortnightly on Sundays and offers teenagers a chance to have fun and fellowship and often food too. There are also training sessions along with one-to-one mentoring, continuing to run in the centre.

Café

Ground Coffee and Kitchen continues to be a very valuable way to provide the community with a place to meet up with friends and family. It is also a place for lonely people to just come and hang out and have a chat with the staff and people coming in and out of the centre.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Church

The building is also home to Mountsandel Christian Fellowship (MCF) and by maintaining the building we have allowed them to focus on providing groups for the community such as Jollytots, Artfor-All, Animate and Explore, to mention just a few. They also held an annual community event, Sandelfest, which involves a Children’s Club in the mornings, activities for teenagers in the afternoons and then evening events for adults and teenagers e.g. a table tennis tournament, quiz and acoustic café for local artists to showcase their talent. Monthly meetings called Young at Heart are available for anyone over 60 that provides entertainment and refreshments. From this, they have also started a Wednesday Get Together, which is a more informal setting for refreshments, a chat and friendship. There is also a weekly men’s walking group which is run from the centre, offering men the opportunity to walk and talk and then have a coffee together.

Community

The charity, CVAT, works closely with the church to hold children’s seasonal events, family friendly walks and also a Christmas Fair which has been a great success in the last couple of years. These are to promote the centre as a place that can be used by families and is open to all ages of the community, free of charge.

The charity has also been proactive this year in finding ways to tackle mental health issues mainly by incorporating the 5 Steps to Wellbeing as promoted by the Public Health Service. This has not only been highlighted in the existing activities but also in a week of events around the time of Blue Monday in January.

The charity wants the centre to be used by the community as much as possible so that they find a place where they can find activities that interest them, a relief from their hardship or somewhere that they feel included in a community. The number and variety of the groups that have used the centre this year is demonstrative of the wide range of people who are benefitting from the centre being in the Knocklynn area. We are constantly trying to widen the range and number of groups that know about the centre and use it for their benefit.

Achievements and performance

It is always hard to measure the outcome of the welfare of the individuals who use the centre as we are not always the direct contact with them. This would be monitored by the organisations that hire the venue. We do however keep records of the organisations that use the rooms and are pleased that we were able to offer highly discounted rates as well as a 20% discount rate to charities and community groups. We are determined to provide quality venue hire at affordable prices and so it is good that we have been able to do that this year. The high level of charities and counsellors that have used the centre has also been an achievement as we want the centre to function as a place to meet a need within the community whether that be physically, mentally, spiritually or emotionally.

The charity works hard at making the centre available to the public as much as possible. By providing spacious and well-maintained rooms at affordable prices, they hope that clients will benefit from using the centre. We offer discounts to charity groups and community groups as we are aware that they need to keep costs as low as possible. We also offer generous discounts to start up groups, to take some pressure off them as they begin a new venture.

The centre not only benefits those who are looking for inclusion in a community or to learn new skills but also those who are needing relief from difficult circumstances such as health issues (both physical and mental), bereavement, age concerns and family issues. The parents and carers in the community have a few classes and groups to attend for their children: enabling them to learn new skills and providing an environment for community to develop.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

To ensure that the building is a safe place for hire, we have carried out regular inspections on the electrics, lift and fire alarm. We also ensure that the insurance is up to date and that any groups using the building have relevant insurance in place. We also ask that they provide PAT testing certificates for any portable devices they may use while in the centre.

The centre often has groups using the building who advertise their events with the Sandel Centre as the address. In this way the committee benefit from the publicity arranged by the groups but this is incidental when providing the community with information about the event and therefore is necessary in doing so.

Financial Review

The key funding sources for this reporting period that enabled the delivery of the organisation’s strategic priorities include:

The results for the year are set out on page 10. The company returned net incoming resources for the year of £9,090 (2023 – £629 net outgoing resources). At 31 January 2024 the total funds of the charity amounted to £25,487 (2023 - £16,937) comprising unrestricted income funds of £13,592 (2023 - £9,700), unrestricted designated funds of £3,717 (2023 - £4,306) and restricted funds of £8,178 (2023 - £2,391).

Reserves policy and going concern

The Trustees recommend that the surplus of £9,090 be transferred to the total income funds brought forward. The relevant fund now has a balance of £25,487.

The Trustees consider that with the continued support of its bankers, the reserves retained by the company are sufficient for its ongoing needs.

Plans for the future

Causeway Voluntary Action Trust plans to work hard in 2023/2024 to provide a safe and welcoming environment. Ground Coffee and Kitchen are now an integral part of what the centre has to offer and provide a great service to the community and centre clientele. We still plan to redesign the website for the Sandel Centre and provide a dedicated area for Ground Coffee and Kitchen to promote itself and be able to facilitate online bookings for the catering service offered to our clients. We still want to integrate the online booking platform with our invoice platform (Xero) to save considerable admin time and cost. This will free up more time for the Centre Manager to pursue business development opportunities. It is also hoped that we can attract new clients to come along to “open-days” in Spring 2025 - showcasing what the Sandel Centre can offer to potential new clients over our competitors. We would also hope that Ground Coffee and Kitchen would play an active part in these promotional days. We also plan to continue to offer more community focused events to tackle mental health issues and loneliness – across all ages.

Taxation

The company is a charity (charity no NIC102521) and is recognised as such by HM Revenue & Customs for taxation purposes. As a result, there is no liability to taxation on any of its income.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Structure, governance and management

Causeway Voluntary Action Trust continues to operate as a not-for-profit charitable organisation with Company Limited by Guarantee status and was incorporated on 14 May 1996. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the company and is governed by its Articles of Association. The liability of its members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up.

The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees, comprising of 8 in total. The Board meet on a bi-monthly basis and are serviced by the chairperson of the company. The Trustees manage the business of Causeway Voluntary Action Trust and may exercise all the powers of the company. The Trustees have the power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a Trustee.

New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making process, the strategic priorities and recent financial performance of the charity. They are free to discuss any issue with other current Trustees or employees. Trustees are encouraged to attend any appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role. This provides an understanding of what Charity Trusteeship entails and the responsibilities and duties that go with that position. It is planned to facilitate a further examination of direction, with a view to strategic sustainability and succession on an ongoing basis.

The registered office of the company is The Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT52 1WT. The company registration number is NI030816.

The Trustees, who are also the Directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mrs Suzanne Brown Mrs Rachel Coural (resigned 30 July 2024) Mr William Crymble Mr Alan Hutton (appointed 17 October 2024) Mr John Mairs (resigned 30 July 2024) Dr Paul Martin Mr Trevor McKeown (appointed 30 July 2024) Mrs Deborah Mullan (resigned 19 May 2023) Mrs Danielle Rosborough Mrs Catriona Ross (resigned 27 October 2023) Prof Arthur Williamson

Appointing of Trustees

Appointment of Trustees can be effected by a decision of the existing Trustees, and termination of the role of Trustee can be effected by a Trustee submitting a written resignation or being determined no longer capable or allowed by law to continue in the role.

Related parties and co-operation with other organisations

None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity, apart from what is disclosed in note 9 to the accounts. Any connection between a Trustee or senior manager of the charity with any related parties must be disclosed to the full board of Trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. In the current year any such related party transactions are reported in note 18 to the accounts.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Causeway Voluntary Action Trust for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement as to disclosure to our Independent Examiners

Each of the Trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the independent examination, but of which the Independent Examiner is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the Independent Examiner is aware of such information.

The Trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs Suzanne Brown

25 October 2024

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2024 which are set out on pages 9 to 21.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner

As the charity Trustees (and also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s report

I have examined your charity financial statements as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65 (9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as charity Trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

Independent Examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters listed above, and in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Ruth Walls Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 31 Lisnamuck Road Coleraine Co Londonderry BT51 4HN

25 October 2024

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Note
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before transfers		 Unrestricted
funds
general
2024
Unrestricted
funds
designated
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
2024
Unrestricted
funds
general
2023
Unrestricted
funds
designated
2023
Restricted
funds
2023
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,221
-
10,733
11,954
6,700
-
8,916
15,616
59,254
-
-
59,254
45,125
-
-
45,125
30
-
-
30
2
-
-
2
60,505
-
10,733
71,238
51,827
-
8,916
60,743
57,688
589
3,871
62,148
54,153
694
6,525
61,372
2,817
(589)
6,862
9,090
(2,326)
(694)
2,391
(629)

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Note
Net (outgoing)/incoming
resources before transfers
Gross transfers between funds
Net (expenditure)/income for
the year/net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 February
2023
Fund balances at 31 January
2024		 Unrestricted
funds
general
2024
Unrestricted
funds
designated
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
Total
2024
Unrestricted
funds
general
2023
Unrestricted
funds
designated
2023
Restricted
funds
2023
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
2,817
(589)
6,862
9,090
(2,326)
(694)
2,391
(629)
1,075
-
(1,075)
-
-
5,000
(5,000)
-
3,892
(589)
5,787
9,090
(2,326)
4,306
(2,609)
(629)
9,700
4,306
2,391
16,397
12,026
-
5,000
17,026
13,592
3,717
8,178
25,487
9,700
4,306
2,391
16,397

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JANUARY 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Income Funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds - designated
Unrestricted funds - general		 2024
£
£
8,473
14,662
6,869
21,531
(4,517)
17,014
25,487

8,178
3,717
13,592
25,487		 2024
£
£
8,473
14,662
6,869
21,531
(4,517)
17,014
25,487

8,178
3,717
13,592
25,487		 2023
£
£
9,286
6,309
4,673
10,982
(3,871)
7,111
16,397
2,391
4,306
9,700
16,397		 2023
£
£
9,286
6,309
4,673
10,982
(3,871)
7,111
16,397
2,391
4,306
9,700
16,397
21,531
(4,517)		 10,982
(3,871)
25,487
 16,397
8,178
3,717
13,592		 2,391
4,306
9,700
25,487 16,397

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 31 JANUARY 2024

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 January 2024. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these financial statements.

The Trustees responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board on 25 October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr Trevor McKeown Trustee

Company Registration No NI030816

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Causeway Voluntary Action Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is The Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, BT52 1WT.

1.1

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’ (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

Under FRS 102 the company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a cashflow statement on the grounds that it qualifies as a small company.

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

The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2

Going concern

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

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes. The designated funds for fixed assets are that part of unrestricted funds that represents fixed assets held.

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

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.

Investment income is included when receivable.

Income from charitable activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided) under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support programme activities and is recognised where the entitlement, certainty of receipt and amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

1.5

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Funding provided through contractual agreements and performance related grants are recognised as goods and services are supplied. Other grant payments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises that results in the payment being unavoidable.

1.6

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

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

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Office Equipment 20% reducing balance Furniture 15% reducing balance Coffee Shop Equipment 20% reducing balance

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset in determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the period.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

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

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

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

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

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

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

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

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

1.10 Taxation

The company is a charity (Charity No NIC102521-0) and is recognised as such by HM Revenue and Customs for taxation purposes. As a result, there is no liability to taxation on any of its income.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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

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

3 Donations and legacies

Donations
Grants		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
Designated
Funds
2024
Restricted
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
721
-
-
721
6,700
500
-
10,733
11,233
8,916
1,221
-
10,733
11,954
15,616

4 Income from charitable activities

Room hire and catering
Rent receivable
Services recovered		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
Designated
Funds
2024
Restricted
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
38,563
-
-
38,563
26,709
13,200
-
-
13,200
12,575
7,491
-
-
7,491
5,841
59,254
-
-
59,254
45,125

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

5 Investments

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2024 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Bank interest 30 - - 30 2

6 Costs directly attributable to charitable activities

Repairs and maintenance
Advertising
Motor and travel expenses
Bad debts provision
Donations and gifts
Legal and professional fees
General expenses
Depreciation
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
Share of support costs (see note 9)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds – general
Unrestricted funds – designated
Restricted funds
For the year ended 31 January 2023
Unrestricted funds – general
Unrestricted funds - designated
Restricted funds		 Total
Funds
2024
£
5,368
180
-
(350)
330
-
2,184
1,613

Total
Funds
2023
£
5,954
180
3
3,228
-
1,400
2,152
1,727
9,325
2,033
50,790		 14,644
1,651
45,077
62,148 61,372
57,688
589
3,871		 54,153
694
6,525
62,148
61,372

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

TES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
R THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024
7
Governance costs
Insurance
Legal and professional fees		 2024
£
2023
£
733
951
1,300
700
2,033
1,651
8
Support costs
Salaries
Employer’s pension contributions
Rates
Light and heat
Telephone and postage
Stationery and printing
Computer expenses		 2024
£
2023
£
25,988
25,058
528
937
613
540
21,954
17,613
754
690
132
75
821
164
50,790
45,077

9 Trustees

During the year Mrs C Ross, Trustee of the charity, was paid £10,560 (2023 - £13,979) by virtue of her employment.

10 Employees

Number of employees

The average number of employees (excluding directors) during the year was:

Office and management
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs		 2024
Number
2023
Number
3
3
2024
£
2023
£
25,058
25,058
-
-
25,058
25,058

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

11
Tangible fixed assets
Coffee Shop
Equipment
Furniture
Office
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 February 2023
9,973
24,526
8,032
42,531
Additions
-
-
800
800
At 31 January 2024
9,973
24,526
8,832
43,331
Depreciation
At 1 February 2023
9,413
16,406
7,426
33,245
Charge for the period
112
1,218
283
1,613
At 31 January 2024
9,525
17,624
7,709
34,858
Net book value
At 31 January 2024
448
6,902
1,123
8,473
At 31 January 2023
560
8,120
606
9,286
12
Debtors
2024
£
2023
£
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
12,891
5,694
Other debtors
1,771
615
14,662
6,309
13
Creditors
2024
£
2023
£
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors
-
43
Other taxation and social security
365
-
Accruals
4,152
3,828
4,517
3,871		 Coffee Shop
Equipment
Furniture
Office
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
9,973
24,526
8,032
42,531
-
-
800
800		 Coffee Shop
Equipment
Furniture
Office
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
9,973
24,526
8,032
42,531
-
-
800
800
9,973
24,526		 8,832
43,331
9,413
16,406
112
1,218		 7,426
33,245
283
1,613
9,525
17,624		 7,709
34,858
448
6,902		 1,123
8,473
560
8,120		 606
9,286
2024
£
2023
£
12,891
5,694
1,771
615
14,662
6,309
2024
£
2023
£
-
43
365
-
4,152
3,828
4,517
3,871

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

14 Retirement benefit schemes

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

The charge to profit and loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £528 (2023 - £937).

15 Restricted funds

Restricted funds for the charity relate to: The Honourable The Irish Society

HUG Initiative

John Moore Foundation CC&GBC Community Development Support CC&GBC Social Connections

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds designated funds
funds
2024 2024 2024 2024
£ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31 January 2024 are represented by:
Tangible assets 4,145 3,335 993 8,473
Current assets 9,447 382 7,185 17,014
13,592 3,717 8,178 25,487

17 Capital commitments

There were no capital commitments as at 31 January 2024.

CAUSEWAY VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

18 Related party transactions

Included within rent receivable is an amount totalling £7,200 (2023 - £4,200) received from Mountsandel Christian Fellowship, a charity with a common Trustee, Dr Paul Martin. The balance due in respect of this at 31 January 2024 and included within trade debtors was £600 (2023 - £600).

Included within legal and professional fees is an amount totalling £500 (2023 - £nil) paid to William Crymble, Trustee. The balance due in respect of this at 31 January 2024 and included in accruals is £500 (2023 - £nil).