Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC034231
Report of the Trustees and
Audited Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
for
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Robb Ferguson Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Regent Court 70 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 2QZ
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Contents of the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 8 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 9 to 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 15 |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 16 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 17 to 26 |
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) was established in March 2003 in response to an identified gap in the sector. An initial funding package from Communities Scotland, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Royal Bank of Scotland enabled an office base to be established and a small staff team of 3 appointed. Over the period since then, further grant funding has been accessed, including Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, ESF EQUAL, the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland (now National Lottery Community Fund), Acorns to Trees Trust, William Grant Foundation, and importantly, the Scottish Government. This financial support has enabled the organisation to develop and expand, with DTAS now having a staff of 27.
DTAS aims to have a successful and sustainable development trust in every community. To achieve this, DTAS addresses itself to four key tasks:
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To encourage the growth of new development trusts
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To support and strengthen existing development trusts
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To promote the development trust approach and represent the interests of development trusts
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To run our organisation effectively and reflect the democratic wishes and aspirations of our members.
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Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
2024/25 has seen the continued growth of the membership throughout Scotland and increasing demand for the support and advice from DTAS, Community Ownership Support Service and our Democratic Finance Scotland team. The membership continues to support the most vulnerable within society with the cost of living crisis and post pandemic issues whilst providing strong community-led leadership. On the 31st March 2025, DTAS had 350 development trust members and is supporting a further 49 communities who are in the process of establishing a development trust. In addition, it has 48 Associate members who are not development trusts but support the movement. At the core of our work is the implementation of the national policy around strengthening community infrastructures, community empowerment and community-led activity, and DTAS provides an important interface between policy and practise.
Over the last few years, DTAS has been a key delivery partner within the Scottish Government's Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP), and around a quarter of DTAS members have benefitted from SCP investment. In 2021, the SCP was separated from the Investing in Communities fund and DTAS is now responsible for distributing the SCP grant to the participating organisations. During 2024-25, DTAS has supported a total of 30 organisations and issued almost £1m in grant funding.
The Scottish Government decided to end funding for the Local Resilience Fund (Pockets & Prospects).
DTAS remains a strategic partner of the Scottish Government. DTAS is engaged with a number of existing and emerging national policy areas - spanning both policy development and policy implementation. These policy areas include Community Wealth Building, Democracy Matters, Community Benefit Funds, Net Zero Steering Group, Land Reform, Regeneration and Place-making, The Town Centre Action Plan Forum, Community Empowerment, Offshore Renewable Community Benefit Review and the Social Enterprise Action Plan.
Throughout 2024-2025, our in-person regional networking events across the country continued, with members coming together and discussing priorities for their communities. Our core support, member benefits, expert help, strategic reviews, training and our Green Shoots fund for organisation and critical support have continued to help develop, build capacity and overcome barriers throughout the membership. The dedicated development officer team are continually reviewing membership benefits and support provided and this year we have continued to deliver a crisis support (with Just Enterprise, Community Enterprise and Scottish Community Alliance) and developed our Workplace Wellbeing Support Service and Coaching.
In addition, DTAS delivered both the Community Ownership Support Service (COSS). COSS has continued to expand and deliver professional development training with local authorities, public bodies and other agencies and communities. With an influx of asset transfer requests, at risk public assets and increased need/demand for democratic finance our team support is paramount. COSS has assisted communities to explore 89 new assets and 120 groups to move forward their community assets in the past year.
In August 2024, DTAS launched our Democratic Finance (DF) Scotland programme, in partnership with Scottish Community Finance. Expanding on our Community Shares Scotland programme, the DF programme is looking at renewable energy opportunities, legacy finance options, community lotteries, in addition to shares and bonds. In 2024-25, the team launched 10 new share offers and 1 local legacy giving and a further 92 groups across Scotland with democratic finance.
DTAS continues to report separately to all our funders on a quarterly or half yearly basis.
Our COSS team also continued to work with our 4 nations partners to support communities access the community ownership fund which has resulted in £17 million being secured for 47 community assets in Scotland.
The COSS team also secured funding from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a new three-year funding programme to provide holistic support enabling communities to create a publicly accessible, sustainable future for historic places of worship across Scotland that are under threat. This programme started in December 2024.
The DTAS staff numbers have increased to 27 full or part time posts. There was a number of personnel changes during the course of the year.
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Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
The governance of DTAS remains sound. At the AGM, 15 Trustees were appointed at the Annual General Meeting which was held in-person on 28th August 2024. Board meetings continue to be well attended. DTAS operates two standing sub-committees (Finance and Resources and Policy and Communications) both of whom meet on a quarterly basis, and play an important role in the governance of the organisation. Beyond attendance at board meetings, DTAS trustees have performed additional representational and operational duties for the organisation.
On 12th July 2024, DTAS' wholly-owned trading subsidiary, DTAS Trading, was dissolved.
Thanks go to all trustees in giving freely of their time and expertise to support the staff team in working with members and in the running of DTAS itself.
The 2024 the Annual DTAS Conference and Annual General Meeting was held over 27th & 28th August at Glasgow Caledonian University. 236 people attended, including 100 unique DTAS members, 7 community groups and 27 associates/local authority/government/other agencies. The conference included two panel discussions on Scottish Democracy Unleashing Development Trusts, three study visits to DTAS members and 19 different workshops.
The DTAS Board and staff over the year have participated in strategy and planning sessions that resulted in a 3-year strategy and subsequent operational plans being launched in June 2024.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The Scottish Government continued to be the principal funder of DTAS during 2024-2025. The organisation benefited from a core funding grant from the Third Sector Division which runs until 31st March 2025.
During the course of 2024/25, our Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) continued to be supported by a grant from the Scottish Government's Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division. During this period, COSS also benefitted from a grant of £22.5K from the Scottish Government's Community Land Team towards the cost of the SULU initiative.
The posts of two full-time Development Officers are dedicated to, and funded by, the Strengthening Communities Programme which also sits within the Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division of the Scottish Government and is shown as restricted funding in the Audited Accounts.
The Local Resilience Fund - Pockets & Prospects finished in December 2024. The fund provided relatively small grants to community anchor organisations to build capacity and resilience in tackling poverty and social inequality. The Local Resilience Fund is shown as restricted funds in the Audited Accounts.
The Democratic Finance (DF) Scotland programme has been jointly grant funded by the Scottish Government Economy Directorate, Acorns to Trees and since September 2024, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The National Lottery Community Fund ended its funding of the programme in July 2024.
As an organisation, DTAS remains committed to supplementing grant funding with self-generated income. This includes income from membership fees, conference and training events, some ad hoc project income, occasional consultancy work and commission from our DTAS Energy initiative. Over the year this has included Acorns to Trees (member support service, crisis support service and Green Shoots), William Grant Foundation (facilities management), UK wide Community Ownership Fund (in partnership with Locality, DTNI and DTA Wales).
In 2024, we have built on our 4 nations partnership and have secured UK Lottery funding for a three-year UK Community Connectors project which will bring opportunity for our members alongside building capacity within DTAS to deliver support. We have also secured funding for three years from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver our churches programme.
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Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Investment policy and objectives
Under the constitution, the charity has the power to invest any money that the charity does not immediately require in any investments, securities or properties. In 2024-25, the trustees reviewed DTAS' investment policy and agreed that in addition to keeping available funds in an interest-bearing current account and a one-year, high-interest charity bond account, DTAS would open a CAF Flagstone Deposit. Trustees continue to review investment to ensure charitable funds earn reasonable return on investment, at minimal risk, whilst having regard to the liquidity requirements of operation the charity and the reserves policy.
DTAS has a current lease at 1B Washington Lane which comes to an end in June 2028.
Reserves policy
The board has set a target to build its reserves to a level equivalent to three months running costs for the organisation. Currently, unrestricted reserves stand at £348,249 which is greater than three months running costs.
During the course of 2019/20 DTAS concluded a pension liability management exercise to address the historic pension liability from the Scottish Voluntary Sector Pension Scheme. The outcome of this is the removal of any ongoing pension liability for DTAS, and the associated annual deficit payments. However, this exercise has impacted on the current level of financial reserves, and a priority for DTAS over the coming year(s) will be to re-build the organisation reserves to previous levels.
The charity has an overall surplus of £19,665 (2024 surplus: £35,445) in the year. At the year end, the charity had unrestricted reserves of £348,249 (2024 £333,586) and restricted reserves of £360,410 (2024 £355,408).
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Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
FUTURE PLANS
DTAS will continue to drive progress towards the strategic goals set out in our 2024-2027 plan. These goals reflect our commitment to supporting resilient, community-led organisations and a thriving, inclusive infrastructure for communities in Scotland. Our strategic goals:
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Advocacy and influencing - Community-led organisations are recognised as fundamental to the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of Scotland. DTAS will confidently and boldly influence and shape the environment, culture and policy that we work within and advocate for our members and community-led organisations.
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Building resilient and strong community infrastructure - DTAS delivers high quality support services to advise, equip and help communities to thrive.DTAS will deliver tailored direct support through our membership offer and client support and will network with other sectoral partners to ensure delivery is accessible and relevant.
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Communication, research and knowledge exchange - the impact of Development Trusts and community-led organisations is widely understood, celebrated and championed. We will seek to fully understand issues facing our sector, and their impact on them, and celebrate and promote their achievements.
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Sustaining a strong, successful and reliable organisation - DTAS has the capacity and confidence to deliver our strategy aligning with our values, we will ensure that DTAS operates to the highest standard and performance in all aspects of our work.
The year ahead will see continued growth and evolution in our services, in direct response to the needs of our members and communities. As demand increases and the operating environment becomes more complex, we remain focused on providing meaningful support while actively shaping policy and legislative frameworks that impact the sector.
Member Support Team
Membership continues to grow across Scotland, with both aspiring and established development trusts seeking guidance from our expert team. A key priority is building resilience across the sector, and we will continue to enhance our enterprise toolkits, assessment frameworks, and tailored support offers. We are committed to standing with members through both challenges and opportunities-whether addressing crisis situations or supporting long-term recovery and sustainability. Work continues on the development of a Membership Standard Mark, helping to benchmark excellence across the network. The Strengthening Communities Programme will also welcome a new cohort of funded organisations, each supported by our dedicated advisors to build strong foundations for success.
Democratic Finance Scotland
Following our partnership with Scottish Communities Finance Ltd, as of 1st April we are now progressing the Democratic Finance Scotland programme independently.
This year is an exciting new phase with significant potential to unlock new forms of community finance.
Key developments in the coming year include expanding the impact of community shares and seeking investment to launch a Shares Scotland Booster programme, exploring opportunities for shared ownership in renewables and further researching the potential of community bonds. Our work aims to provide communities with the tools and confidence to access democratic forms of investment and grow their financial resilience and we will continue to develop our legacy giving pilot and other forms of citizen investment.
Community Ownership Support Service (COSS)
With hundreds of churches and historic buildings facing closure, our dedicated churches programme will be fully underway. COSS will support communities to explore ownership opportunities and make informed, sustainable decisions.
A comprehensive refresh of our training and toolkits is taking place to ensure communities have clear, up-to-date guidance through the Community Asset Transfer and Community Right to Buy processes. Our Facilities Management service will continue to expand, helping communities address the challenges of running and maintaining their assets over the long term.
Central Support Services
Our central team continues to provide the essential backbone to DTAS's operations. Alongside core functions, they are leading the development of progressive internal policies and practices around wellbeing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability. Where appropriate, these resources will also be adapted for member use to support wider sectoral development.
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Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
Policy and Lobbying
DTAS continue with its policy and lobbying efforts this year, particularly in relation to the Local Governance Review and the implementation of Community Wealth Building strategies. We will also continue to engage on key themes including land reform, inclusive business models, renewable energy, and the legislative and financial landscape surrounding community ownership.
A significant highlight for the coming year will be the launch of a national campaign, designed to galvanism our members and wider sector partners to share their impact stories, raise awareness of their vital work and push for the changes needed in policy and practice to support communities. This campaign will spotlight the critical role of development trusts in delivering local solutions, and will call for investment and reform to unlock the full potential of community-led development.
Our goal is to ensure that policy does not just enable community development in theory, but actively supports and sustains it in practice - by shifting power, resources and responsibility to local communities.
The DTAS conference will be held in Glasgow again this year on 26th & 27th August, we have an ambitious and exciting programme of workshops, study visits and speakers. A range of sessions that will provide 200+ delegates with the opportunity to be inspired, learn, network and engage with each other.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT GOVERNING DOCUMENT
On 10th September, 2015 DTAS became registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and HM Revenue & Customs, governed by its SCIO constitution. The organisation was formerly a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status
Recruitment and appointment of new directors
Nominations to be a trustee are sought from the membership and have to be submitted two weeks prior to the AGM. The composition of the board is as follows: up to 75% of trustees from the development trust membership (full and provisional), and up to 25% of trustees to come from among the associate membership. Each year, one third of the trustees must stand down at the AGM but are eligible for re-election. The nominations for election are put to the membership at the AGM and the full board is thereby elected. At their first meeting after the AGM the trustees elect their office bearers for the coming year. Further trustees can be co-opted by the board of trustees during the year.
Organisation
The full board of trustees meets quarterly. All trustees approve the annual budget, receive regular budget updates and consider and approve the annual audited accounts. A Finance and Resources sub-committee is delegated to consider matters of finance, budget management and human resources. This sub-committee meets on a quarterly basis and receives quarterly management accounts. The DTAS board of trustees also has a Policy and Communications sub-committee, which meets on a quarterly basis. Both sub-committees report to full board meetings.
As part of the quarterly DTAS Board meeting, the CEO produces a written report for the Trustees. This monitors activity and progress against the key objectives within the DTAS Operational Plan. The CEO has delegated powers to make day-to-day decisions regarding operations of the organisation. A work plan and budget are agreed between the CEO and the trustees and any significant variations are referred to the board for discussion.
During 2023-24, a working group of staff and trustees met to review DTAS' governance to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and in line with best practice. The findings and recommendations from the group were presented to the full board in May 2024 and approved. A number of governance changes are now being implemented
Induction and training of new trustees
After election, an induction programme is offered to all new trustees. In addition, all trustees receive an information pack which contains copy of the constitution, roles and responsibilities of being a director / trustee, and background information on the charity
Related parties
DTAS supports and represents development trusts throughout Scotland and has a close association with Locality, DTA Wales and DT Northern Ireland. DTAS is a founder member of, and active participant in, the Scottish Community Alliance, where it is represented on the executive committee. In addition, DTAS is involved in a wide range of collaborations with other relevant agencies and organisations
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tk)cusuJn Enveky ID. F93BA4F(kA10F43C7AsD7.16B3DCB Dei'elo meDt Trusts A$socialion ScotlaiDd oi't of the Ti'uslees ded STRITCTiIiE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEVIENr Risk maDAgement DTAS has an orsanisational risk re8iSter Mthich is updaied and dIsCSed by the Finance and Resources sub-COll)mittee on a quarterly basis. The risks are categorised as soi"ernance. operational. fU1¢la1. external and compliance with law and re8ulation. The re8lSter sets oui how these risks are bein8 mitigated and provides an wjate on outstandin8 actions. REFERENCE All ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIIS Registered Charit) number SC034231 Principal Address IB Washington Lane Ediiibiwgh EHII 2EL4 Ti'ustees Auditors Robb Fer8llson Chartered Accountants & Stattitory Auditors Resent Collrt 70 West Re8ent Street Glas80M' G2 2QZ Ke) management personnel Tniqlee£- er alK)k'e - Chief ExecutiN - Head of Central Support SeThices Bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC 142-144 I>rinces Street EdillbuTgh EH2 4EQ STATEMENf OF TRUSTEES, RESPOliSIBILfrIES The trLteeS are responsible for preparing the Report of the Tnjstees and the financial stateentS lll accordallce wlth applicable la, and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accoulltiiig Practice). Page 7
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued
The law applicable to charities in Scotland, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the provisions of the charity's constitution, requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the provisions of the charity's constitution. 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.
09 August 2025 Approved by order of the board of trustees on .................. ..... . .............. and signed on its behalf by: ...
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Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Development Trusts Association Scotland
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Development Trusts Association Scotland (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, 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 Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 19 to the financial statements, 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
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors 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.
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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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proper accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Development Trusts Association Scotland
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which 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 charity'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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Development Trusts Association Scotland
Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditors under Section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
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 a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
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The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
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We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with trustees and other management, and from our wider knowledge and experience;
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We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charity, including the The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and Financial Reporting Standards 102 Statement of Recommended Practice.
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We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
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Identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
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Making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
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Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations
Audit response to risks of irregularities identified
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
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Performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
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Tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
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Assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out were indicative of potential bias; and
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Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
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Agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
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Reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
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Enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
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Requesting correspondence with HMRC, OSCR and the charity's legal advisors.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
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 Report of the Independent Auditors.
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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Development Trusts Association Scotland
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees 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 the charity's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
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Robb Ferguson Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Regent Court 70 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 2QZ 11 August 2025 Date: .............................................
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Development Trusts Association Scotland
Statement of Financial Activities
For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Notes Donations, legacies and grants 2 Charitable activities Membership fees 4 Earned income Conference and event income Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 5 Charitable projects Administration and support Grants paid Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 18 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted fund £ 214,050 33,595 5,800 52,633 23,683 329,761 315,842 63,056 - 378,898 (49,137) 63,800 14,663 333,586 348,249 |
Restricted funds £ 2,326,392 - 5,267 - - 2,331,659 965,493 109,790 1,187,574 2,262,857 68,802 (63,800) 5,002 355,408 360,410 |
2025 Total funds £ 2,540,442 33,595 11,067 52,633 23,683 2,661,420 1,281,335 172,846 1,187,574 2,641,755 19,665 - 19,665 688,994 708,659 |
2024 Total funds £ 2,786,647 32,968 22,370 47,313 17,166 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,906,464 | ||||
1,101,110 222,156 1,547,753 |
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2,871,019 |
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35,445 - |
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| 35,445 653,549 |
||||
| 688,994 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 13
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
| Balance Sheet 31 March 2025 FIXED ASSETS Notes Tangible assets 11 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 12 Investments 13 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 14 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 18 Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 £ 551 534,563 - 850,853 1,385,416 (677,308) 708,108 708,659 708,659 348,250 360,409 708,659 |
2024 £ 1,199 65,467 1,000 880,373 946,840 (259,044) 687,796 688,995 688,995 333,586 355,409 688,995 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ......[0] ..[9] ...[A] ..[u] ..[g] ..[u] ..[s] ..[t] ..[2] ..[0] ..[2] ..[5. ] and were signed on its behalf by:
==> picture [41 x 8] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
- Trustee
----- End of picture text -----
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 14
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
| Development Trusts Association Scotland | |
|---|---|
| Cash Flow Statement For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 £ Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 (29,519) Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (29,519) Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period (29,519) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 2 880,372 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 2 850,853 |
2024 £ 66,354 |
66,354 |
|
66,354 814,019 880,373 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 15
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM | OPERATING | ||
| ACTIVITIES | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial | ||||
| Activities) | 19,665 | 35,445 | ||
| Adjustments for: | ||||
| Depreciation charges | 648 | 1,492 | ||
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (468,096) | 487,188 | ||
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 418,264 | (457,771) | ||
| Net cash (used in)/provided by operations | **(29,519) ** | 66,354 | ||
| 2. | ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Cash in hand | - | - | ||
| Notice deposits (less than 3 months) | 850,853 | 880,373 | ||
| Overdrafts included in bank loans and overdrafts falling due within one year | - | - | ||
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 850,853 | 880,373 | ||
| 3. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS | |||
| At 1.4.24 | Cash flow | At 31.3.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Net cash | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 880,373 | (29,520) | 850,853 | |
| Bank overdraft | - | - | - | |
| 880,373 | **(29,520) ** | 850,853 | ||
| Liquid resources | ||||
| Deposits included in cash | - | - | - | |
| Current asset investments | 1,000 | (1,000) | - | |
| 1,000 | **(1,000) ** | - | ||
| Total | 881,372 | (30,519) | 850,853 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 16
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities reported at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenue and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The following judgements and estimates have had the most significant effects on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
Deferred Income
The estimates and assumptions used to determine deferred income requires judgements to be made around the charity's progress through a contract. This estimation is determined by management annually and reviewed to ensure the correct proportion of income is deferred where required.
Accrued Expenditure
The estimates and assumptions used to determine accrued expenditure requires judgement from management around future costs. These costs are not always known at the year end and management estimates the cost incurred to the year end based upon the work performed to this date. Historically, management's estimation of accrued expenditure has not resulted in material changes to the charity's expenditure.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income is shown net of VAT. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
o Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance. Income is deferred when performance related grants are received in advance of the performances or event to which they relate.
o Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when earned (as related goods and services are provided).
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. The charity is registered for VAT and any irrecoverable VAT is charged to the income statement separately from the resources expended to which it relates.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Office equipment - 33.33% on cost and 25% on reducing balance
continued...
Page 17
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Related party exemption
The charity has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Defined contributions pension scheme
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable in the year are charged to the statement of financial activities.
Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment.
2. DONATIONS, LEGACIES AND GRANTS
| Donations Grants Democratic finance Community ownership fund |
2025 £ - 2,189,101 240,317 111,024 2,540,442 |
2024 £ 10,749 2,381,708 293,343 100,847 |
|---|---|---|
2,786,647 |
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:
| Scottish Government - COSS Scottish Government - Core Scottish Government - SCP Scottish Government - P&P Acorns to Trees William Grant Foundation Democracy Matters Scottish University Land Unit Locality Community Connectors UK Historic Environment Scotland National Lottery Heritage Fund |
2025 £ 350,000 208,000 1,131,553 - 333,900 38,980 - 22,500 85,000 8,186 10,982 2,189,101 |
2024 £ 350,000 208,000 1,164,148 300,000 319,700 - 17,360 22,500 - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 2,381,708 |
continued...
Page 18
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
2. DONATIONS, LEGACIES AND GRANTS - continued
COSS Community Ownership Support Services SCP Strengthening Communities Programme (formerly Investing in Communities Fund) P&P Pockets and Prospects Project
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Bank interest 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Membership fees Membership fees Earned income Earned income Conference and event income Conference and event income 5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Charitable projects Administration and support Grants paid |
Direct Costs £ 1,270,728 156,014 1,187,574 2,614,316 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
Breakdown of grants paid during the year is noted within the below link:
https://dtascotland-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/kay_dtascot_org_uk/EZ0nGxNX0ZJKrwuubM802_QB4H v Sr5XZFyekgtNxdOjdbQ?rtime=PchubI6p3Ug
6. SUPPORT COSTS
| Charitable projects Administration and support |
Governance Finance costs £ £ - 10,607 16,832 - 16,832 10,607 |
Totals £ 10,607 16,832 |
|---|---|---|
27,439 |
continued...
Page 19
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
7. AUDITORS' REMUNERATION
| AUDITORS' REMUNERATION | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the charity's auditors for the audit of the charity's financial | ||
| statements | 6,750 | 9,800 |
8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustees received remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 (2024 - None ).
Trustees' expenses
Trustees' expenses
| 2025 £ 3,857 |
2024 £ 1,220 |
|---|---|
Trustees' expenses in 2025 relate to travel and accommodation costs paid to 10 members of the board of directors.
Trustees' expenses in 2024 relate to travel and accommodation costs paid to 5 members of the board of directors.
9. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2025 £ 858,526 78,115 102,394 1,039,035 |
2024 £ 747,965 67,697 87,977 |
|---|---|---|
903,639 |
Amounts payable to key management personnel in the year was £112,380. (2024 - £107.992).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| Enterprise Charitable projects Administration and support |
2025 1 20 5 26 |
|---|---|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
Pension contributions of £102,394 (2024 - £87,977) were made to employee's defined contribution schemes. There were outstanding contributions of £2,376 (2024 - £98) at the balance sheet date.
continued...
Page 20
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations, legacies and grants 207,999 Charitable activities Membership fees 32,968 Earned income 4,282 Conference and event income 47,313 Investment income 17,166 Total 309,728 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable projects 324,503 Administration and support 54,964 Grants paid - Total 379,467 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (69,739) Transfers between funds 82,709 Net movement in funds 12,970 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 320,615 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 333,585 11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 Charge for year At 31 March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Restricted funds £ 2,578,648 - 18,088 - - 2,596,736 776,607 167,192 1,547,753 2,491,552 105,184 (82,709) 22,475 332,934 355,409 |
Total funds £ 2,786,647 32,968 22,370 47,313 17,166 2,906,464 1,101,110 222,156 1,547,753 2,871,019 35,445 - 35,445 653,549 688,994 Office equipment £ 56,980 55,781 648 56,429 551 1,199 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 21
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors Prepayments, accrued income and other debtors |
2025 £ 66,215 468,348 534,563 |
2024 £ 62,696 2,771 |
65,467 |
Prepayments, accrued income and other debtors includes accrued income of £445,828 which relates to funding for 2025/26.
13. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
| CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlisted investments CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 15) Trade creditors Social security and other taxes VAT Other creditors and deferred income Accrued expenses |
2025 £ - 2025 £ - 6,150 19,756 2,652 522,070 126,680 677,308 |
2024 £ 1,000 2024 £ - 17,182 17,742 352 99,434 124,334 |
||
259,044 |
14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other creditors and deferred income includes deferred income of £445,828 which relates to funding for 2025/26.
15. LEASING AGREEMENTS
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
| Within one year Between one and five years |
2025 £ 47,273 12,254 59,527 |
2024 £ 41,981 57,052 99,033 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 22
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 16. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Fixed assets Unrestricted fund £ 486 Current assets 610,786 Current liabilities (263,022) 348,250 17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds At 1.4.24 £ General fund 333,586 Restricted funds Community Ownership Support Services 84,555 Strengthening Communities Programme 4,646 Pockets & Prospects 27,429 Scottish Land Commission 2,134 Acorns to Trees 70,698 William Grant Foundation 20,372 Democratic Finance 103,133 Hub & Spoke 13,000 Community Ownership Fund 19,001 Democracy Matters 10,196 Scottish University Land Unit 244 Locality Community Connectors UK - 355,408 TOTAL FUNDS 688,994 |
Restricted funds £ 65 774,630 (414,286) 360,409 Net movement in funds £ (49,136) 35,928 310 - - 13,144 (31,960) (1,448) (13,000) 39,763 (2,333) (1,900) 30,297 68,801 19,665 |
2025 Total funds £ 551 1,385,416 (677,308) 708,659 Transfers between funds £ 63,800 (46,839) - - - - 17,339 (29,500) - - - - (4,800) (63,800) - |
2024 Total funds £ 1,199 946,840 (259,044) 688,995 At 31.3.25 £ 348,250 73,644 4,956 27,429 2,134 83,842 5,751 72,185 - 58,764 7,863 (1,656) 25,497 360,409 708,659 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 23
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Community Ownership Support Services Strengthening Communities Programme Acorns to Trees William Grant Foundation Democratic Finance Hub & Spoke Community Ownership Fund Democracy Matters Scottish University Land Unit Locality Community Connectors UK Churches TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 329,761 351,518 1,131,553 333,900 38,980 243,173 - 104,974 - 22,500 85,893 19,168 2,331,659 2,661,420 |
Resources expended £ (378,897) (315,590) (1,131,243) (320,756) (70,940) (244,621) (13,000) (65,211) (2,333) (24,400) (55,596) (19,168) (2,262,858) (2,641,755) |
Movement in funds £ (49,136) 35,928 310 13,144 (31,960) (1,448) (13,000) 39,763 (2,333) (1,900) 30,297 - 68,801 19,665 |
|---|---|---|---|
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Community Ownership Support Services Strengthening Communities Programme Pockets & Prospects Scottish Land Commission Acorns to Trees Community Transport William Grant Foundation Democratic Finance Hub & Spoke Community Ownership Fund Democracy Matters Scottish University Land Unit SCVO Facilities Management TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.23 £ 320,615 41,586 3,845 25,420 11,143 91,985 (370) 63,589 54,835 33,000 7,901 - - - 332,934 653,549 |
Net movement in funds £ (69,738) 72,469 4,801 13,484 (9,009) (21,287) - (37,691) 77,798 (20,000) 11,100 10,196 244 3,078 105,183 35,445 |
Transfers between funds £ 82,709 (29,500) (4,000) (11,475) - - 370 (5,526) (29,500) - - - - (3,078) (82,709) - |
At 31.3.24 £ 333,586 84,555 4,646 27,429 2,134 70,698 - 20,372 103,133 13,000 19,001 10,196 244 - 355,408 688,994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 24
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Knowledge and Skills Exchange Community Ownership Support Services Strengthening Communities Programme Pockets & Prospects Scottish Land Commission Acorns to Trees William Grant Foundation Democratic Finance Hub & Spoke Community Ownership Fund Democracy Matters Scottish University Land Unit SCVO Facilities Management TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 309,728 1,994 355,773 1,164,147 300,000 - 319,700 - 306,913 - 100,848 17,361 22,500 7,500 2,596,736 2,906,464 |
Resources expended £ (379,466) (1,994) (283,304) (1,159,346) (286,516) (9,009) (340,987) (37,691) (229,115) (20,000) (89,748) (7,165) (22,256) (4,422) (2,491,553) (2,871,019) |
Movement in funds £ (69,738) - 72,469 4,801 13,484 (9,009) (21,287) (37,691) 77,798 (20,000) 11,100 10,196 244 3,078 105,183 35,445 |
|---|---|---|---|
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted income is income granted, donated or earned by DTA Scotland to be used at the discretion of the directors to fund any activity which is in furtherance of DTA Scotland's objectives.
Restricted funds
Community Ownership Fund is a fund for communities across the United Kingdom to help communities take ownership of assets at risk of closure. DTAS is providing development support for potential community project to strengthen applications
The Strengthening Communities Programme fund represents monies granted to fund a post to oversee the programme for the Scottish Government Regeneration Unit.
Pockets & Prospects is the continuation of The Local Resilience Fund Pilot Project with a slightly wider remit and represents monies granted from the Scottish Government to support grass roots organisations to build community capacity and resilience and tackle the effects of welfare reform and inequality.
Scottish Land Commission funded a Vacant & Derelict Land Project to support communities develop and implement proposals to bring long term derelict sites back into productive use.
Acorns to Trees provides funding which enables a mutually successful partnership based on achieving measurable success around their philanthropic aspirations which are Empowering Communities, Enabling Integration, Building a Better Society.
Community Transport is funded by Paths for All, the project aims to create a Community Transport Hub to support the 40+ DTAS members who are delivering or looking to deliver community transport schemes in their areas.
continued...
Page 25
Docusign Envelope ID: F93BA4F0-A10F-43C7-A5D7-166FE0CB3DCB
Development Trusts Association Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For The Year Ended 31 March 2025
17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
William Grant Foundation funding is used to deliver the Facilities Management Pilot Programme which will provide communities with support in the operational, technical and legal requirements of community owned and managed assets.
Community Shares Scotland programme promotes community shares and supports organisations through a successful community share offer.
Hub & Spoke project extends the existing programme and extends the model to another pilot project.
Democracy Matters process through a series of dedicated activities that will facilitate shared dialogue with and within the community sector on their aspirations and opportunities for greater decision making powers as proposed by the Local Governance Review.
Community Connectors is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, led by Locality (UK) and the other partners are DTAS, Development Trusts Northern Ireland, Development Trusts Association Wales. It funds a range of activities to support development trusts to develop better connections within their communities.
New Futures Programme - Former Places of Worship is a three-year programme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland to provide enhanced support to community groups considering taking on a listed church across Scotland.
Sufficient resources are held in an appropriate form to enable each fund to be applied in accordance with any restriction.
18. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
19. NON-AUDIT SERVICES PROVIDED BY AUDITOR
In common with other companies of our size we use our auditor to assist with the preparation of the financial statement.
Page 26