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2024-03-31-accounts

Local Energy Action Plan

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended

31 March 2024

Scottish Charity Reference

SC 044019

Local Energy Action Plan

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Contents Page
Reference & Administration Information 2
Annual Report of the Trustees 3 - 5
Report of the Independent Examiner 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 15

Local Energy Action Plan

Reference & Administrative Information

Registered office:

Scottish Charity Number:

39 High Street Lochwinnoch Renfrewshire PA12 4AB SC044019

Trustees

Independent examiner:

Local Energy Action Plan

Report of the Trustees

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

Application for incorporation as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) was successfully approved by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on 21st May 2013. OSCR were satisfied that the organisation met the charity test and the legal requirements for being a SCIO, and entered it in the Scottish Charity Register. It is now an incorporated body having charitable status under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.

Objectives,

The objectives of the charity are:

  1. To advance environmental protection and improvement by

  2. supporting individual homes, organisations, charities and businesses to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency,

  3. facilitating and encouraging the adoption of efficient and low carbon means of transport, and

  4. promoting waste reduction and sustainable living programmes.

  5. To advance education by raising awareness and motivating those in the community to adopt sustainable environmentally friendly practices.

  6. To encourage community participation in contributing to environmental improvement by being an integral, respected and trusted part of the local community providing services which meet the needs of the community and develop new skills and perspectives.

The area within which the organisation shall operate (in our constitution referred to as the ‘Area of Benefit') shall be Renfrewshire and, where geographically consistent with the aims of the organisation, beyond.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities

LEAP's charitable objectives during this period were mainly delivered through the activities of the Car Club, the LEAP Together program as well as launching an E-Bike sharing pilot. LEAP also rented premises at 39 High Street, Lochwinnoch as a base of operations, which it also made available as a cowork Space.

Car Club

The Car Club provides members with access to a selection of five zero-emission vehicles based in Lochwinnoch and Linwood, reducing the need for them to have their own, or a second car. Each LEAP Car Club member pays an annual membership or a monthly subscription. Bookings for car hire are made online - with convenient access to vehicles 24 hours per day. Tariffs are reviewed periodically and these are advertised openly. The charges to the members cover the fuel, vehicle insurance, any road tax, MOT, servicing, maintenance and cleaning costs. Members are billed monthly for 'hire' and 'mileage' fees, which vary depending on the specific vehicle hired. Car Club vehicles made 1,415 journeys over this period.

The Car Club also launched an E-Bike share club in partnership with Linstone Housing in November 2023.

Local Energy Action Plan

Report of the Trustees

Activities & Achievements (continued)

LEAP Together

This part of the organisation has had another successful year building on the growth of the staffing Team and improving financial resources. We have worked with a range of funders to deliver across a number of project areas.

Lochwinnoch Community Larder

We were able to hire a full-time Service Manager during this year which helped the project to move forward; It has provided extra support for Volunteers and improved the service for members. We grew the membership to more than 1500 individuals during this timeframe and continued to deliver weekly food parcels to the most vulnerable in the community. We grew our Volunteer Team as well - in particular the younger Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers. The introduction of cooking classes were very successful during this time - we ran two courses which were well attended and gave us excellent feedback. The Community Fridge and Freezer have proven to be very successful with the 24/7 access giving us some challenges but in general being useful to the community, and very well used. We delivered a number of fundraising, pop-up events in partnership with other groups. We also established growing spaces in two private gardens locally where we have been growing vegetables to help with provision for the project during this time.

Diggin’ It

Diggin’t It has continued consistently with a successful seed library and growing community. We funded a permaculture course which was well attended and helped establish knowledge locally about sustainable growing methods.

Lochwinnoch Feel Good Festival

The Festival has been our biggest growth area and it received civic recognition from Renfrewshire Council for its contribution to the Community. We hosted a Feel Good Fortnight in May which included a community festival day in our local park which was attended by more than 700 people, as well as a Wellbeing Fair in a local community space which was very successful. Reviews of the events told us that the project has exceeded its aims in connecting people with structures of support round wellbeing, as well as to each other, improving mental health and building community.

Funding Sources

The fees received from Car Club members over the period, including the tenant subsidy from Linstone Housing, largely covered the running costs of the cars (excluding depreciation and staff costs). The Larder receives regular donations from service users. In addition, funding was received from the following sources:

Local Energy Action Plan Report of th8 Trustees Future Plans Athough LEAP conb'nues to grow as a social enterprise operation. the Car Club requires financial support to cover staff and depreciation costs and applications will be made to a number of sources. We will also be seeking funding to continue and expand on the work of LEAP Together. We are also applying for Scottish Govemment fvnding to host Renfrewshire Climate Hub. Approved by order of the ly)ard of trustees on 26 November 2024 and signed in its behalf by: Date: 26 November 2024

Report of the Independent Examiner To the Trustees of Local Energy Action Plan

I report on the accounts of Local Energy Action Plan for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Management Committee, as trustees of the charity, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation l0(1) (a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met, or

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 5 December 2024

Local Energy Action Plan

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 March 2024

Unrestricted
Income:
Funds
Notes
£
Charitable Activities:
Grants receivable
2
12,700
Donations & fundraising
-
Trading activities
3
-
Other income
-
Total Income
12,700
Expenditure:
Raising funds
4
-
Charitable Activities:
5
10,610
Total Expenditure
10,610
Net income
2,090
Transfers
72,352
Net Movement in Funds
74,442
Fund Balances brought forward
962
Fund Balances carried forward
9
75,404		 Restricted
Funds
£
212,774
12,554
20,937
6,316
252,581
41,656
166,443
208,099
44,482
(72,352)
(27,870)
134,801
106,931		 Total
2024
£
225,474
12,554
20,937
6,316
265,281
41,656
177,053
218,709
46,572
-
46,572
135,763
182,335		 Total
2023
£
126,501
13,626
24,441
-
164,568
33,366
115,830
149,196
15,372
-
15,372
120,391
135,763

All income and expenditure is derived from continuing activities. The SCIO has no recognised gains or losses other than those included in the Statement of Financial Activities above.

The comparative figures are analysed by class in note 11 to the financial statements.

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

Local Energy Action Plan

Balance Sheet At 31 March 2024

Notes
Fixed assets:
Tangible assets
6
Current assets
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within one year:
8
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Funds:
Unrestricted funds:
9
Restricted funds:
9
Total Funds		 2024
£
72,352
6,543
110,280
116,823
6,840
109,983
182,335
75,404
106,931
182,335		 2023
£
41,885
4,488
92,886
97,374
3,496
93,878
135,763
962
134,801
135,763

The accounts on pages 7 to 15 were approved by the Board of Trustees on 26 November 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies

General information and basis of preparation

The financial statements of the charity, which constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102, have been prepared on the historical cost basis and in accordance with the requirements of 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015)' and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption permitted for smaller charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The comparative figures for expenditure on charitable activities have been adjusted to correspond with a revised classification of charitable activities in the current year.

Going Concern Basis

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have assessed the charity's ability to continue as a going concern and have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements.

Income

Generally income is recognised and included in the accounts when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance or other conditions attaching to the income have been met, the income has been received or receipt is considered probable and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from annual grants is recognised in the period to which the grant relates. Any grants received in advance or arrears are included as deferred or accrued income as relevant. Any grants or donations received for performance or relating to events in a future financial period are also included in deferred income.

Income from other grants and donations is recognised on receipt. Where a grant or donation is received for a specific purpose, it is included in restricted income and any unexpended portion carried forward as a restricted fund.

Income from donations and fund-raising is recognised on receipt - in the case of fund-raising once the charity has control of the funds. Gift aid is recognised once a claim has been made.

Other income from activities is recognised on receipt or once an invoice has been issued where this is relevant.

(accounting policies continued on next page)

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party.

Taxation

The SCIO is a recognised charitable body and is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activity. It is not registered for VAT and expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due less any impairment. Prepayments relate to amounts paid in advance for expenditure attributable to future financial periods. Accrued income relates to income due for the current year, which had not been billed or received at the year-end.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised, at settlement amount, where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event, which is likely to result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due can be measured or estimated reliably.

Other basic financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently at their settlement value.

Funds

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with any of the charitable objects 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.

Accounting estimates

The trustees do not consider that there are any areas of the financial statements where significant judgements are being carried out.

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Grants receivable
Unrestricted
Funds
£
The Robertson Trust
12,000
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
450
Affluent Community Fund
250
Lottery Community Fund
-
Energy Saving Trust
-
Baillie Gifford
-
B&Q Foundation Grant
-
RCCommunity Food Fund
-
Villages Fund FGF
-
Hubbub skills development
-
Garfield Weston Grant Income
-
Engage Comm Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund
-
RC Local Partnership Fund
-
BoS Foundation
-
Paths for All
-
Linstone Housing
-
Renfrewshire Council
-
The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust
-
Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust
-
Engage Renfrewshire
-
Co-op Community Fund
-
Total grants receivable
12,700
3 Trading activities
£
Car club income
-
Premises
-
Training
-
Craft Fair
-
Energy sales
-
-		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
49,277
58,990
5,000
8,000
6,000
25,000
6,000
10,000
5,100
5,000
19,000
15,407
-
-
-
-
-
-
212,774
£
20,937
-
-
-
-
20,937		 Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
12,000
-
450
-
250
600
49,277
61,785
58,990
-
5,000
-
8,000
-
6,000
-
25,000
-
6,000
-
10,000
-
5,100
-
5,000
-
19,000
-
15,407
14,470
-
15,484
-
13,000
-
9,280
-
6,482
-
5,000
-
400
225,474
126,501
£
£
20,937
20,867
-
2,186
-
1,133
-
210
-
45
20,937
24,441

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
4
Raising funds
£
£
Car club running costs
-
26,829
Car club depreciation
-
14,233
Bad debts
-
594
-
41,656
5
Charitable activities
£
£
Staff costs
5,109
66,484
Core project delivery
4,976
58,227
Community Larder
-
17,931
Grow & share project
-
-
Feel Good Festival
-
15,613
Rent & venue
-
6,000
Insurance
-
2,123
Book-keeping & payroll
225
-
Independent examination
300
-
Misc.
-
65
10,610
166,443
Staff costs:
Gross salaries
Employer's NIC
Employment Allowance
Employer's pension
Recruitment & PVG
Total staff costs
The average number of employees on a head count basis		 Total
2024
£
26,829
14,233
594
41,656
£
71,593
63,203
17,931
-
15,613
6,000
2,123
225
300
65
177,053
2024
£
70,408
4,730
(4,730)
1,185
-
71,593
4		 Total
2023
£
20,044
13,322
-
33,366
£
39,994
39,284
26,878
620
4,876
2,726
437
180
300
535
115,830
2023
£
39,377
2,037
(2,037)
617
-
39,994
3

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 in the current or previous year.

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

6.
Tangible Fixed Assets
Motor
Vehicles
Cost or Valuation:
£
At 1 April 2023
95,838
Additions
58,990
Disposals
(25,705)
At 31 March 2024
129,123
Depreciation:
At 1 April 2023
55,873
Charge for year
24,739
Disposals
(22,161)
At 31 March 2024
58,451
Net Book Value:
At 31 March 2024
70,672
At 31 March 2023
39,965
7.
Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
8.
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
Taxation and social security
Other creditors		 Computer
Equipment
£
650
-
-
650
650
-
-
650
-
-
2024
£
934
5,609
6,543
£
1,778
5,062
6,840		 Portacabin
2,400
-
-
2,400
480
240
-
720
1,680
1,920
2023
£
1,632
2,856
4,488
£
-
3,496
3,496		 Total
£
98,888
58,990
(25,705)
132,173
57,003
24,979
(22,161)
59,821
72,352
41,885

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

9.
Movements in Funds
At
1/4/23
Restricted funds:
£
Shared Transport project
56,881
Community Larder
-
RC Climate Asset Fund
2,473
RC Villages Fund
-
Cycling Scotland
18,163
Cabin upgrade
10,000
PiHH
28,192
Lottery Community Fund
7,797
LEAP Projects
3,936
Baillie Gifford funding
-
B & Q Foundation
-
R C Community Food Fund
-
Hubbub skills development
-
Garfield Weston funding
-
Engage Mental Health
5,000
Local Partnership funding
-
Bank of Scotland Foundation
-
Restricted donations for Grow & share
2,359
Total Restricted Funds
134,801
Unrestricted funds:
Fixed asset fund (see note below)
-
Planet Zero
12
General fund
950
Total Unrestricted Funds
962
Total Funds
135,763		 Income
£
95,334
3,280
-
26,390
-
-
-
49,277
13,862
5,000
8,000
6,000
6,000
10,000
5,100
5,000
19,000
338
252,581
-
-
12,700
12,700
265,281		 Expenditure
£
(53,941)
(1,600)
(2,473)
(1,994)
(18,163)
(10,000)
(19,309)
(44,975)
(17,798)
(5,000)
(4,430)
(5,875)
-
-
(4,374)
(5,000)
(10,470)
(2,697)
(208,099)
-
-
(10,610)
(10,610)
(218,709)		 Transfers
£
(61,789)
(1,680)
-
-
-
-
(8,883)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(72,352)
72,352
(12)
12
72,352
-		 At
31/3/24
£
36,485
-
-
24,396
-
-
-
12,099
-
-
3,570
125
6,000
10,000
5,726
-
8,530
-
106,931
72,352
-
3,052
75,404
182,335

Fuixed asset fund

The fixed asset fund represents the net book value of fixed assets.

At 31 March 2024 the net book value of the fixed assets were transferred from the various restricted funds above into this designated fund.

Depreciation for each period will be charged to the fund and the cost of assets purchased will be transferred in.

Local Energy Action Plan

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

10 Analysis of Net Assets Representing Funds

Fund balances at 31 March
Restricted
2024 are represented by:
Funds
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
Debtors
6,543
Cash at bank and in hand
107,228
Creditors due in one year
(6,840)
Net Assets
106,931
11
Prior Year's Statement of Financial Activities
Unrestricted
Income:
Funds
£
Charitable Activities:
Grants receivable
-
Donations & fundraising
-
Trading activities
45
Total Income
45
Expenditure:
Raising funds
-
Charitable Activities:
-
Total Expenditure
-
Net income
45
Transfers
-
Net Movement in Funds
45
Fund Balances brought forward
917
Fund Balances carried forward
962		 Unrestricted
General
Fixed
Fund
Assets
£
£
-
72,352
-
-
3,052
-
-
-
3,052
72,352
Restricted
Total
Funds
2023
£
£
126,501
126,501
13,626
13,626
24,396
24,441
164,523
164,568
33,366
33,366
115,830
115,830
149,196
149,196
15,327
15,372
-
-
15,327
15,372
119,474
120,391
134,801
135,763		 Total
Funds
£
72,352
6,543
110,280
(6,840)
182,335