Charity registration number 1158045
Company registration number 08461023 (England and Wales)
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr A Grainger
Mr Ole Black
Ms Elisabeth Baggott
Charity number
1158045
Company number
08461023
Registered office
21 High Street
Cardiff
CF10 1PT
Auditor
DSG
Castle Chambers
43 Castle Street
Liverpool
L2 9TL
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 4
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 8
Statement of financial activities
9
Balance sheet
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 18
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

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 accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

 

Charity information

The charity was incorporated initially on 25th March 2013 as "Autism Spectrum Support Advice Service" and changed its name to "Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru" on 14th November 2013 in order to more accurately reflect its geographical remit. The charity was established in order to provide a "One Stop Shop" provision for people affected by Autism Spectrum Conditions and their carers within the Cardiff and South Wales area. After some initial preparation work the charity commenced activities in April 2014 and opened a permanent base of operations in Cardiff City Centre in January 2015.

Objectives and activities

Purposes and aims

The charity's purpose as set out in the objects contained in the company’s memorandum of association are:

 

 

 

 

 

Ensuring our work delivers our aims

We review our aims, and objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. This review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remained focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

The focus of our work

 

 

 

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 2 -

Public benefit

The trustees are confident that the charitable aims of Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru satisfy the principles of public benefit as defined in the Charities Act 2006. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

 

How our activities deliver public benefit

Our charitable activities focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable people, with autism spectrum conditions and or physical and learning disabilities, and are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.

 

Mental health problems and learning disabilities are found in people of all ages, regions, countries and societies. Equal access to our services is an important issue for us. Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru has an equal opportunity policy and diversity statement, which ensures that we have a culture, which is reinforced via our robust training program, which ensures equality of access to our services by gender, disability and sexual orientation. We believe equal access to our services is vital to our success, and that successful outcomes must be shared by all communities that use our services.

Achievements and performance

This year has been difficult for ASCC on a number of levels, financially, recruitment and retention and the bedding in of a new senior management team.

The One Stop Shop (OSS) based at 21 High Street, Cardiff operates to provide responsive, flexible, person centred support for autistic adults in the areas of pre- employment and benefits. Referrals are accepted from a range of partners, including Integrated Autism Service, Council Health Management Teams, third sector and direct referral from individuals. We aim to work collaboratively with statutory and third sector partners to promote choice and control for project beneficiaries to seek support which is outside the scope of this project.

Within the One Stop Shop, based in High Street in Cardiff, the six months between April and September 2022 were extremely challenging for ASCC. The team experienced an unprecedented level of staff departures over this time, including the Project Lead and the Service Manager. This destabilised the service, necessitating a period of reconfiguration. Despite this, we still managed to meet, and in some areas exceed our targets for the 12 months. Here is a breakdown of the targets and actual support delivered for the period:

 

Target

Actual

People accessing the service

75

84 (75 new referrals)

Employment support

30

21

Support to retain employment

8

14

Benefits support

33

52

As the above table demonstrates, employment referrals decreased, but this has been matched by an increase in benefits referrals.

Overall, we have supported people to be awarded over £250,000 in benefits.

With a full team in place the ASCC team continued to provide a high level of support to the people who use the service, as well as developing exciting plans for the future, to expand upon and complement the valuable support that we are already delivering.

The feedback from various partners regarding the effectiveness of the service has been good, and this has resulted in Welsh Government awarding a further grant for a three year period safeguarding this valuable service.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 3 -

Further developments for the service 2023/24 include:

To support the development of the service, a Business Support Manager will also be recruited, who will manage the office, maintain databases, process referrals and manage and maintain the website.

The supported living service in Heath has also experienced change and a new service manager has implemented a number of changes to ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate Wales. The service currently leased by ASCC will be transferring the lease to a housing association in the next financial year, ensuring compliance with legislation in the provision of domiciliary care services.

Future plans for the service is to continue to seek referrals for current vacancies working with the Complex Care Commissioning Team and the new Neurodiversity team which became operational in September 2023.

A successful recruitment campaign for new Trustees led to strong expression of interest from a number of people, resulting in six potentially new trustees, with induction planned in November and processed with the Charity Commission by January 2024.

Financial review

Income was £639,851 (2022: £477,464) and resources expended were £667,150 (2022: £491,747) for the year resulting in a deficit of £27,299 (2022: deficit of £14,283).

Principal Source of Funding

The principal source of funding for the charity is grant and support fee income, details of which can be found in the notes to the accounts, together with the support of the parent charity, Autism Initiatives Group, and Autism Initiatives (UK), a fellow subsidiary of AutIsm Initiatives Group.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds, excluding fixed assets, which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between two and three months of expenditure. This is to allow the Charity to be managed efficiently, and provide a buffer for uninterrupted services.

At the 31st March 2023 there are £nil general free reserves (2022: £27, 299). The trustees are aware of the current level of free reserves and expect it to increase to the required level in future years. The trustees are of the opinion that the level of free reserves does not impact on the Charity’s ability to meet its day-to-day activities due to the continuing support of the parent Charity, Autism Initiatives Group and fellow group charity Autism Initiatives (UK).

.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 4 -

Risk Management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

 

The risk management strategy is incorporated within the members’ risk strategy. The trustees risk management strategy comprises: a yearly review, a system of establishing the high risk factors, a procedure to mitigate the risk and an implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact should those risks materialise.

 

As well as a corporate risk management strategy; there are risk management procedures relating to specific services and individuals in place.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

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:

 

Mr A Grainger
Mr Ole Black
Ms Elisabeth Baggott

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that DSG be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr A Grainger
Trustee
23 November 2023
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 5 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru for the purpose 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 affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

 

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.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
- 6 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

-

the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and

-

the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
- 7 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-

the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

-

the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the 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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
- 8 -
Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities,including fraud

Based on our discussions with the charity’s management and the Trustees, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

 

Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements include UK financial reporting standards and Charity Law.

 

Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the charity and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include compliance with the charitable objectives, public benefit, fundraising regulations, safeguarding and health and safety legislation.

 

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert to non-compliance throughout the audit.

 

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; review of Trustee meeting minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

 

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Jean Ellis BA FCA CTA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of DSG
23 November 2023
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Castle Chambers
43 Castle Street
Liverpool
L2 9TL
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 9 -
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
183,134
282,656
465,790
1,078
300,000
301,078
Charitable activities
4
174,061
-
174,061
176,386
-
176,386
Total income
357,195
282,656
639,851
177,464
300,000
477,464
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
384,494
282,656
667,150
191,747
300,000
491,747
Total expenditure
384,494
282,656
667,150
191,747
300,000
491,747
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds
(27,299)
-
(27,299)
(14,283)
-
(14,283)
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
27,299
-
27,299
41,582
-
41,582
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
-
-
-
0
27,299
-
27,299
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2023
31 March 2023
- 10 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
9
313,337
62,447
Cash at bank and in hand
9,074
27,125
322,411
89,572
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
10
(322,411)
(62,273)
Net current assets
-
27,299
Net assets
-
27,299
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
-
27,299
-
0
27,299

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 Trustees on 23 November 2023
Mr A Grainger
Trustee
Company registration number 08461023
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 11 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 21 High Street, Cardiff, CF10 1PT. The principal activities of the charity are disclosed in the Trustees' report.

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 accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

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 accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 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. The trustees consider that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis as the charity will be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due, due to the continuing support of the Autism Initiatives Group. 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 their charitable objectives.

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.

1.4
Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

 

The specific policies used are as follows:

 

 

 

 

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.5
Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category. Restricted expenditure is set against restricted income.

 

The specific bases used are as follows:

 

 

1.6
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.

1.7
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.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the charity transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
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.

1.8
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.9
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

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.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 14 -
3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
183,134
-
183,134
290
-
290

Grants receivable for core activities

-
282,656
282,656
788
300,000
300,788
183,134
282,656
465,790
1,078
300,000
301,078
Donations and gifts
Autism Initiatives (UK)
183,115
-
183,115
-
-
-
Local fundraising
19
-
19
290
-
290
183,134
-
183,134
290
-
290
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 15 -
4
Charitable activities
2023
2022
£
£

Charitable activities

174,061
176,386
5
Charitable activities
2023
2022
£
£
Staff costs
539,722
416,848

Insurance

3,893
3,995

Repairs, renewals and maintenance

2,138
11,256

Utilities and telecommunications

13,305
6,788

Legal and professional

8,960
649

Bank charges

443
851

Office costs

24,758
17,682

Rent and rates

69,888
27,077

Bad debt write off

(9,321)
(1,019)

Miscellaneous costs

13,364
7,620
667,150
491,747
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
384,494
Restricted funds
282,656
667,150
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Unrestricted funds
191,747
Restricted funds
300,000
491,747
6
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses in the year.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 16 -
7
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023
2022
Number
Number
Administration
14
13
Managers
1
1
Total
15
14
Employment costs
2023
2022
£
£
Wages and salaries
502,179
382,931
Social security costs
31,108
27,411
Other pension costs
6,435
6,506
539,722
416,848

Included in the above salary costs are agency costs of £17,847 (2022 £nil) and redundancy payments of £56,511.

 

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
8
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

9
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
20,576
54,048
Other debtors
286,406
2,043
Prepayments and accrued income
6,355
6,356
313,337
62,447
AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 17 -
10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
£
£
Other taxation and social security
4,716
6,848
Trade creditors
528
3,659
Amount owed to parent undertaking
48,799
12,515
Amounts owed to fellow group undertakings
226,765
3,311
Other creditors
1,273
1,714
Accruals and deferred income
40,330
34,226
322,411
62,273
11
Retirement benefit schemes
Defined contribution 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 the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £6,435 (2022: £6,506).

12
Restricted funds
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
Movement in funds
Movement in funds

Income

Expenditure

Balance at
1 April 2022

Income

Expenditure

Balance at
31 March 2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Welsh Government - One Stop Shop
300,000
(300,000)
-
282,656
(282,656)
-
300,000
(300,000)
-
282,656
(282,656)
-

Welsh Government - One Stop Shop. Grants received from the Welsh Government to fund the operation of a One Stop Shop service providing support and access to resources for people affected by Autism Spectrum conditions.

AUTISM SPECTRUM CONNECTIONS CYMRU
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 18 -
13
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Current assets/(liabilities)
-
-
-
27,299
-
27,299
-
-
-
27,299
-
27,299
14
Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2023
2022
£
£
Within one year
70,000
25,000
Between two and five years
160,000
50,000
230,000
75,000
15
Controlling party

At the year end, the ultimate controlling party was Autism Initiatives Group, a company incorporated and registered in England and Wales. The registered office is Sefton House, Bridle Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 4XR. Autism Initiatives Group prepares consolidated financial statements which include Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru.

16
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).

17
Acknowledgements

Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is extremely grateful to all donors who have generously given donations to support our work over the last year. Each donation is generous in its own right and can provide valuable support to us and our service users, parents and other care professionals.

2023-03-312022-04-01falseCCH SoftwareiXBRL Review & Tag 2022.2084610232022-04-012023-03-3108461023bus:Director12022-04-012023-03-3108461023bus:Director22022-04-012023-03-3108461023bus:Director32022-04-012023-03-31084610232023-03-31084610232022-03-31084610232021-04-012022-03-3108461023bus:FRS1022022-04-012023-03-3108461023bus:Audited2022-04-012023-03-3108461023bus:FullAccounts2022-04-012023-03-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP