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 governing document, 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)".
Purposes and Aims
The Bridges Community Trust purposes are set out in the objects contained in the company’s Articles of Association. They are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the inhabitants of The Meadows, Nottingham; and in particular the relief of poverty, suffering or distress, the advancement of education, the promotion of health, the provision of recreation and leisure facilities in the interest of social welfare, and the improvement of efficiency of charities and community organisations in direct pursuit of their charitable objects by the provision of education and training.
Ensuring our work delivers our aims
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. The review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. It looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to our beneficiaries and also helps us to ensure our aims, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commissions 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 of the charity.
How our activities deliver public benefit
The trustees have considered the public benefit and concluded that -
The work done gives identifiable benefits both directly and indirectly to the beneficiaries;
All activities are related to the objectives and continue to be charitable;
There is no detriment or harm arising from the objectives or activities;
Most of the beneficiaries live in the geographical location of Areas 5 and 7. The Meadows, Lenton, Wollaton East and Wollaton West (Area 5) and Clifton East and Clifton West (Area 7), Nottingham. There are a small percentage of beneficiaries who live outside of this area; these are people in poverty who access our charitable services;
The benefits are for the public, and the opportunity to benefit is not unreasonably restricted;
The charities activities mainly benefit people in areas of deprivation (especially those in poverty);
Any private benefit to individuals and organisations has been incidental to delivery of the charitable objectives.
Annual review of the charity
The year 2022/2023 In the wake of the late Karl White trustee passing the community appeared galvanised, new board members were elected. The Youth Project was continued by Jeff Meehan and John Adams with a team of volunteers: new policies and procedures were adopted to cover the sporting activity. Funding was sourced and this included monies from the Nottingham Police Commissioner, Unite the Union, and Browne Jacobson’s solicitors. Enabling the project to run throughout the summer outdoors and indoors in the winter months. The trust covering all the administration and insurance. With unprecedented community support it is self-sustaining. An uphill battle no facility to run from or storage. The Meadows and Clifton youth centres were closed creating a gap in provision.
Nick Sladen our Patron of Sladen Estates invested substantial capital funding which paid for two salaries for twelve months and an amount ring fenced for the community which was allocated to various groups. Our Digital inclusion project continued but with reduced volunteers.
Funding for the community element of Area Based grant was cut with the Sladen fund, we organised and participated in community events in partnership with other organisations. Two extra events were led by a new board member Margo Bohacz who sourced funding for them. August saw the appointment of two new members of staff one on finance the other onto the employment team.
Employment contracts continued to exceed targets set. Funded by the European social fund (due to end November 2023) and matched by a much-reduced amount from Area Based Grant. ABG was extended until March 2024. This put increased pressure on the Trust.
With the increase in core costs, it became evident that the trust had to make some hard decisions; it would have to change to survive. Funding for the General Manager had not been secured or other funding that would support the escalating costs or employment services. From November 2022 Area Lead for Clifton passed to another organisation, which meant a further loss of revenue.
With the appointment of a new finance person and information received a deep dive was instigated on finances as reserves appeared low, it was confirmed that substantial monies were owed to us from contracts, this was swiftly dealt with, to be recouped in 2023. The Board after much deliberation made some hard decisions in line with its fiscal duties as a charity. Four members of staff where salaries would come directly from core costs would be made redundant including the General Manager who was privately funded. To further reduce expenditure and relocate to a Community Hub in the Meadows at Queens Walk Community Centre. Sladen Estates helped financially with the proposed move. The redundancy process started- redundancies were completed by the end of March. The General Manager put on gardeners leave until his redundancy was completed in May 2023. Notice given on the premises with relocation planned for June 2023.
The positive side to the move is we will be part of a community hub with other charities the premises are easily accessible either by public transport for Meadows or Clifton stakeholders. We have already reduced core costs and are expecting to reduce them further. The future is still uncertain especially around the employment contracts but as a trust we will be looking at partnership working and more youth and community involvement.
Area Based Grant Youth and Community Provision
The consortium of third sector partners to deliver diversionary youth activities in Meadows (via Castle Cavendish) and Clifton via TBCT for 2022/2023 are: We were area Lead for Clifton Area 7 until November 2022 when Renewal Trust took the lead for Nottingham South.
Clifton:
Clifton Amateur Boxing
Enthusiasm Trust
Summerwood Community Gardens (targeted work with pupils from Farnborough Academy)
Step Out Stay Out (targeting ex-offenders and those marginalized and likely to engage in criminal activity)
Hope Centre (Clifton)
Nottingham Playhouse
Parkgate Community Centre (The Ark)
The Partnership Consortium agreed delivery targets with Nottingham City Council for engagement of young people within Area 5 and 7 for weekly diversionary provision.
The following was delivered during the year:
Area Lead for Area 5 is Castle Cavendish. Due to Council Boundary Changes Area 5 covers Meadows, Dunkirk, Lenton and Wollaton. With the reduction in funding all community funding ended and the events that were put on by the Bridges Community Trust were funded by Sladen Estates.
Margo Bohacz Trustee sourced funding for the Jubilee event. The Easter Egg hunt was collaborative working.
We subcontract to Castle Cavendish for delivery of work clubs in the Meadows under Area Based Grant.
Case studies were submitted as part of our agreement.
Brief overview of delivery
We hosted two community events, Summer, which we joined forces with AMC Gardens and Green Meadows (part of the Nottingham Energy Partnership) and entitled ‘The Meadows Big Day Out’, which was a resounding success.
Margo Bohacz Trustee took the lead along with staff and board members with an Easter egg Hunt which was well received by the community and a great success. All Easter eggs donated and sourced by Mago Bohacz and Jeff Meehan trustees.
Margo Bohacz, trustee, and founder of Meadows Action group took the lead alongside other partner organisations and trust staff and volunteers for a Queens jubilee event.
We hosted a Christmas event with Santa’s Grotto and stalls over 150 children received selection boxes this ran alongside Meadows Councilors lighting of the Christmas tree and school, choirs.
We hosted a jobs Fair at Clifton with over 100 attendees.
We gave help and support over the year to a variety of voluntary groups in the Meadows and Clifton.
Area 7
Youth provision in Clifton was on target up to when the Trust handed over Area Lead to Renewal Trust.
The HAFF Programme (Holiday food and fun) run during school holidays delivered in Clifton by youth providers. Funded by the council.
Area 5
Youth provision in the Meadows was delivered by Castle Cavendish Area Lead
The TBCT Football project “The Meadows Community Youth football” delivered:
Summer 26 hour and a half- session 950 children engaged age between 5-14
Winter 24 one-hour sessions 720 children engaged age between 6-11
2000 volunteer hours logged.
Meadows HAFF delivered by Area 5 Lead Partners.
TBCT Trustees met with Nottingham Forest community outreach team who are one of the main delivering partners of the HAFF Programme -this led to HAFF being delivered in the Meadows.
Employment and Community Outreach
The Trust has held the Matrix Quality Mark Standard in Careers Information, Advice and Guidance since 2006 with successful reaccreditation in 2021. The Employment Team continues to deliver excellent service to clients. Delivering our face-to-face Library Work Clubs and utilizing technology to communicate with stakeholders. Lending technology and providing data packages.
The General Manager took up his position in January 2022 which meant he was no longer engaged with employment contracts. However, he was responsible for applying for the UK Prosperity Fund set up to replace the ESF funding for employment services. The Trust was confident that a business plan and future bids would be secured by him. The General Manager was fully aware of expectations.
With the loss of an employment advisor the employment team was stretched to capacity. Struggling to manage two contracts with two advisors. In August 2022 a new employment advisor was engaged. The statistics for employment rose exponentially.
Grant funding is always problematic, bids written by the chair for youth project were successful and we won the powering up grant fund. 2022/23. The General Managers bid for UKSPF was unsuccessful. Which created uncertainty as to the future of our employment arm.
It has been an up and down year some great community events. The Area Lead for Clifton went to a larger organisation with more resources. Lots of uncertainty going forward around employment contracts with the European Social Fund no longer in existence from November 2023.
Meetings and Committees attended in person and online by the General Manager.
Date of meeting | Purpose of meeting | No.of organisations attending |
|
|
|
April 22 – Jan23 John Lockson General Manager 16/12/2022 | TBCT Board meetings Quarterly Executive Meeting 2 per quarter
Finance Meeting TBCT board & staff | 5-9
12 |
Feb-23 March 23 Rebecca Liggins | Weekly finance meetings Monthly board meetings
| 5 |
Possible funding/ data packages/ marketing. | ||
Monthly April 2022 -March 2023 | Meadows Voluntary Sector Forum & Community Networking | 3-16 |
21/04/2022 19/05/2022 21/04/2022 22/11/2022 23/11/2022 24/11/2022 08/12/2022 | Good Things Foundation Network Meeting Good Things Foundation Network meeting NBS and BCMA Influencer Marketing Showcase UK SPF application UK SPF Teams Meeting UK SPF Teams Meeting NCS Grant Making Information Sessions Meeting
| 40+ |
30/11/2022 | CBJ News ref Vaccine Community Champions Funding | 1 |
Training & Information | ||
27/04/2022 03/05/2022
11/05/2022
16/05/2022 18/05/2022
19/05/2022 May /Dec 22 26/05/2022 07/06/2022 08/06/2022 16/06/2022 17/06/2022 22/06/2022 23/06/2022 24/06/2022 28/06/2022 29/06/2022 30/6/22 October 22 05/10/2022 05/10/2022 08/10/2022 12/10/2022 12/10/2022 03/11/2022 OctNov2022 3/11/2022 | Nottingham City Council Public Health Forum- The new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Nottingham (2022-2025) Nottingham City Council GDPR for All Staff assessment training Locality and Strategic relationships between councils and the VCS workshop Online cyber security briefing Open High Streets - High Street Regeneration: Why Heritage is Key Joint CYPPN and VAPN meeting Nottingham City SMD Partnership meeting Business Networking meeting NCC Carbon Reduction Training NCC Cyber Security for daily users of the Internet NTU Corporate Social Responsibility Summit University of Nottingham's Power of Partnerships Conference Notts Victim Care Community Point Conference B-Global D2N2 Growth Hub (Nottingham City Council Team) account manager meeting Nottingham City Council GDPR for All Staff training Carbon Literacy for SMEs training day 1 Carbon Literacy for SMEs training day 2 Chamber of Commerce Business Networking meeting Notts Victim Care Community Point Conference Sensory/Proprioception Teams Meeting John Lockson and Place Matters Meeting Leaders of Volunteers Network (LoVN) Green Space Conference Wave Trust Ambassador Nottingham City SMD Partnership meeting EGM and APPG Meeting on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System | 5-100+
|
Training:
Connected2 (developed by TBCT) ran bi-weekly Digital inclusion courses and support sessions at the One Stop Shop Meadows where some equipment was provided to stakeholders either by donation or on loan and training to operate them (laptops, mobile phones, and tablets). Negotiations with the WEA (Workers Educational Association) to provide a progressive Digital Inclusion training resulted in 2 sessions delivered. The Good Things Foundation provided data packages and/or electronic equipment.
The General Manager and Senior employment advisor requested to cease their level 6 CIAG apprenticeship.
The General Manager took a short management course at Nottingham Trent University.
The Senior employment advisor found the volume of work was too heavy to continue the course.
The employment advisor taking her level 4 course completed it, however Futures who ran the course were unable to sign off, as they ceased to do it.
The Business Administration apprentice experienced the same difficulties with Futures. The Trust tried unsuccessfully to source a provider to sign off the employment advisor. The business admin person due to funding constraints resigned his post.
Volunteers must evidence safeguarding training and equality and diversity. Which TBCT sources plus any other training required. All staff and volunteers must be DBS checked.
Key Partners who have supported us in the removal of client barriers enabling people to progress into employment, training, and voluntary work:
Areas 5 and 7 Partnerships: Castle Cavendish, Futures, Meadows Advice Group, Clifton Advice Service, Framework, Groundwork, Nottingham City Homes, Children’s Centers Meadows and Clifton, The Library Service, Nottingham City Councils Employment and Skills Hub, Sharewear, NG11 Foodbank, Meadows Foodbank (Trussell Trust), PeoplePlus, CT Skills, Nottingham College, Nottingham Trent University, University of Nottingham, Inspire Nottingham, Switch Up, Notts County Community Foundation (formerly Notts County FiTC), NCVS, National Career Service, Nottingham Forest Community, Parkgate Community Centre, Area 7 Employment and Skills, Area 7 Youth and Community, Clifton Neighbourhood Action Team (NAT)
Future Employment Support:
Our expectation: Without the UK Prosperity Fund it is unlikely that the Bridges Community Trust will continue delivering an employment program after contracts end in November 2023. This clearly is a blow to the community. With the continuation of Area Based Grant until March 2024 the trust will continue to deliver the work clubs until the end of March 24. There will be a small element of employment advice for those that have multiple barriers. This is a disappointment to the trust as the employment team is exceptional and we continue to maintain the matrix standard.
Future funding, this is always work in progress with bids being continuously written to support projects and the core resilience: running costs of our organisation: grants for working with new and emerging communities and gaps identified. Relentless in our approach at how we can fill any gaps by working collaboratively with partners on funding bids. We have sourced an external bid writer for future bids.
Our key focus is the communities we work with the gaps identified how we will continue to support them whatever their needs might be i.e., wellbeing, training, education, voluntary work, financial resilience, and employment and work towards ensuring future funding comes into our respective areas of work the Meadows and Clifton and surrounding areas.
Community Development and Engagement
Our Community Engagement/Development work supports the provision of recreational and leisure facilities through events we organise or in partnership or collaborative work. To engage with and bring in possible partnership working which would benefit the community and lead to possible funding bids.
Area Based Grant ceased to fund this aspect of our work and we must acknowledge the tremendous financial support given by Sladen Estates.
We continued to support the local community by facilitating and/or attending meetings; providing Finance and Admin and Project Management support to local community groups and organising events; marketing and publicity support. We have our own DBS check service and have offered this to our partner organisations.
We have a small contingency fund donated by Sladen Estates that covers emergencies such as fuel gas /electric.
Partnership and Support
We have continued to work with key Community Groups and Tenant’s and Resident’s Associations, some of which are listed below:
New Meadows Tenants and Residents Association (NEMTRA) | Old Meadows Tenants and Residents Association (OMTRA) | Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens |
Meadows Action Group. | Meadows Art Gallery | Meadows Dance and Social Group |
Hope Centre Clifton | Meadows Advice Group | Meadows Food Bank |
Meadows Library | Clifton Library | Nottingham City Council |
Nottingham City Homes | Parkgate Super Kitchen | Queens Walk Community Association |
NG11 Food Bank | Good Companions | Clifton Family Support Group |
Green Meadows Project | Methodist Church Sunday Supper | Queens Walk Luncheon group. |
One Stop Shop
The One Stop Shop has always provided a valuable and essential resource for the community in the Meadows and surrounding areas. Photocopying and faxing for a small fee, and a meeting room for hire. Basic information such as Bus Timetables etc. available, Individuals being signposted to other organisations where relevant. Acting with immediacy with critical interventions when necessary, such as housing. A free phone line and computer available for stakeholders and community.
With the Cost-of-living crisis and escalating costs relocation of the trust back to where it was conceived with an expression of interest sent to Queens Walk Community Centre Meadows to join a Community Hub. With a view to downsizing to reduce costs. Expectation is to relocate in June 2023.
Food Bank and NG11 Food Bank
The provision of Food Vouchers was changed by Trussel Trust. We can only provide vouchers to stakeholders who have signed up with us on one of our projects. We have continued to support the operation of the Meadows Food Bank, (a Trussell Trust Food Bank) by issuing vouchers to those in crisis; acting as a collection point for donations of food for the food bank and helping to recruit volunteers.
Employment of Disabled People
The company’s policy is to give full and fair consideration to applications for employment made by disabled people, having regard to their aptitudes and abilities. Disabled people receive appropriate training to promote their development careerwise within the company. Employees who become disabled are retained in their existing posts where possible or retrained for suitable alternative posts.
Income remained at a similar level to the previous year, with the deficit incurred for the year being £8,095 – an improvement on last year’s deficit of £22,924.
Net assets as at the year-end were £91k (2022 - £99k) including bank balances of £38k (2022 - £94k).
Reserves policy
The Bridges Community Trust Board has decided to hold reserves in main for the following reasons (this is not an exhaustive list of reasons).
Cash Flow
The system for receipt of grant income differs for each funder. Funding, which is in arrears or simply late, must be covered by Reserves.
While the expenditure of The Bridges Community Trust is reasonably steady, fluctuations in expenditure may not coincide with fluctuations in income.
For the Rainy Day'
The Bridges Community Trust is particularly vulnerable to cuts in statutory funding. Obviously, sudden cuts will leave The Bridges Community Trust with commitments to honour - not least contracts of employment, property leases and agreements to provide services.
To enable Trustees/Directors to meet their legal obligations.
The lack of sufficient Reserves would indicate the failure of the board of directors to honour their duty to manage prudently the finances of the Charity.
Level of reserves required.
Uncommitted (General) Reserves
In the long term The Bridges Community Trust aims to have uncommitted Reserves equivalent to between three and six months’ average annual expenditure. The reserves’ value should not fall below one month’s average annual expenditure and in this case, directors should be notified as soon as possible after this comes to light.
The reserves figure is the ‘cash’ value of the unrestricted funds as shown in the balance sheet. The ‘cash’ value is the total value less the value attributable to fixed assets.
Other Reserves
In addition, other restricted' or designated' reserves may be set aside and identified on the balance sheet but will not form part of the general reserves.
In our quarterly accounts, reference is made to the reserves policy. Directors receive quarterly updates on the level of reserves held.
As of the 31 March 2023 the level of unrestricted reserves was £14,837 which is sufficient based on the above policy. The Trustees are looking to increase the reserves over the next few years.
Risk Review
The Board of Directors continually review all the major risks to which the charity is exposed throughout the year at Board Meetings and normally at their Strategic Away Day(s).
Contracts are risk assessed before being accepted. Systems have been established to mitigate risks that are identified. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow the diversification of funding and activities. Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects, to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.
The Bridges Community Trust focus points in the immediate future are:
To continue to work to stabilise the Trust, particularly in relation to its finances, which have been under severe pressure over the last 5 – 8 years (inclusive of corporate funding)
To continue to focus on the core skills of the Trust, Community engagement and development including the excellent employment services.
To focus funding resources to meet these core skills.
To develop an internal Youth Program with a focus on bringing more youth activities to the Meadows and supporting Clifton with the same.
To develop partnership working with another VCS Organisation
The long-term focus for the Trust is:
The recruitment of new Board members with relevant skill sets.
Continuing Training Sessions for both Board and Staff
Development of a Long-Term Strategic and Business Plans
Funding bids will continue to be submitted by the Management team.
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:
Structure and Decision Making
The charity is organised so that the Trustees (together forming a Board of Trustees) meet at a minimum quarterly to manage the charity’s affairs; with responsibility for the day to day running of the Trust being undertaken by the General Manager.
The remuneration for key management personnel is set and approved by the Board based on:
Annual Performance and Appraisal Review
Current Market Forces
Available Funding
Trustee Recruitment, Induction and Training
The Bridges Community Trust Articles of Association is currently under review, including the number and make-up of the Board of Trustees and a resolution for change has been submitted to the AGM for approval. Currently, the Articles allow for a Board of no more than eighteen people and no less than eight. The balance of the Board members should be:
No more than nine Residents Sector representatives, elected by and from the Membership.
Not more than three Voluntary Sector representatives, elected by and from the Membership.
Not more than three Business Sector representatives, elected by and from the Membership or co-opted by the Directors.
No more than three people co-opted by the Trustees, who may or may not be Members.
Meetings are monthly online or in person. This has resulted in the use of technology for voting purposes. Minutes recorded and drafted later when necessary.
At the point of expressing an interest and/or submission of a nomination form, potential new trustees are provided with a ‘Board Members Induction Pack’ which includes historical and current information about the Charity, including governance information, financial information, organisational structure, policies and procedures and meeting schedules. Following the AGM, a time is set for an induction meeting for introductions and an overview of the Charities activities so that trustees can learn about each other and the Charity.
All trustees must have Safeguarding, and Equality and Diversity training or qualifications. Trustees are encouraged to attend relevant external training courses, and sometimes in -house training is provided for trustees. The annual strategic away days are used to develop trustees’ understanding of the Charity and involve discussions on the current projects of the Charity and possible future developments. Trustees are encouraged to meet with other Trustees and members of staff to gain further knowledge about the Charity and the work undertaken.
The Trust works with partner organisations and has strong links and a network of contacts within the third sector / other voluntary bodies in Nottingham. Stakeholders are sign posted to partner organisations such as The Meadows Advice Group (support for residents with debt management, housing, and benefits), the Arches (provide furniture, clothing, and food for families as emergency), Sharewear (provide emergency clothing) Framework (Housing).
We are a collection point for Foodbank and a provider of foodbank vouchers to stakeholders on our project usually on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30 until 13.30. All employees are signatures for the food bank to ensure that this service is maintained.
The Board is actively looking / recruiting board members with the skills necessary from gaps identified.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of The Bridges Community Trust 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 2019 (FRS 102);
- 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.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Bridges Community Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Bridges Community Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 5-7 Bridgeway Centre, The Meadows, Nottingham, NG2 2JD.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 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 £.
These financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, however, the trustees are aware of certain material uncertainties which may cause doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
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 or grantors 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.
Expenditure is allocated to individual restricted funds on an actual basis where possible, others are apportioned on an estimated percentage based on staff time allocated to each project.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs 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 the resources.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
Costs of raising funds comprise the promotional costs to the charity.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs, including costs of governance.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
The company participates in a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The amount charged as expenditure represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.
Government grants
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
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.
Nottingham City Council
Get Ahead
Community Action Donation
Connected2 project
Tudor Trust
BL Community Fund
YEI
Raising funds
Insurance
Printing and stationery
Training and conference costs
Rents and rates
Grants and donations awarded
Travel and subsisence
Computer costs
Light, heat and water
Equipment, repairs and renewals
Telephone and postage
Sundry expenses
Publications and subscriptions
Hospitality and events
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiners of £1,900 for independent examination fees (2022- £1,700).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £3,023 (2022 - £2,983).
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
A brief description of projects during the year is set out below:-
BBO - Building Better Opportunities Towards Work Employment Support Programme; funded by European Social Fund (ESF) and The National Lottery, managed by Groundwork Greater Nottingham. The Bridges Community Trust withdrew from delivering this contract July 2018.
Community Action Donation - Sladens Donation to form Crisis Support fund for Meadows Community during Coronavirus.
GetAhead - Employment Strand of the Ahead Programmes, jointly funded by European Social Fund and DWP. Delivering Employment Support to eligible clients aged 18+ from April 2018 to November 2019.
The Connected2 Project - Providing free training to improve digital skills for The Meadows and Clifton residents.
Nottingham Internship Scheme Grant - For using a NTU Intern for our Digital Media platforms
NW4U 2021-23 - Part of Nottingham City Council’s Nottingham Works for You employment support scheme. There has been a transfer from unrestricted reserves to cover costs incurred.
Back 2 work - Part of Nottingham City Council’s Back2work employment support scheme
HAF Grant - This is part of the Area Based Grant Lead contract for the Clifton Area of Nottingham
Kickstart - One participant is engaged under the Government’s Kickstart scheme.
Karl W Memorial fund- collection in memory of Karl White- restricted Youth football
Travel Grants - Travel Grants for those without other recourse to funding for travel costs to interviews, training and employment.
VCS Forums - Nottingham Together Grant for Voluntary Sector Forum.
Cyclists UK club- money received on behalf of Cyclists UK, immediately passed on to them. There has been a transfer from unrestricted reserves to cover costs incurred.
Yes Training- YES Apprenticeship Grant for staff training
Youth Football - Donation by Brown Jacobson for youth football
Arnold Clark grant - for Youth |
|
|
|
| ||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
Notts Police - Restricted fund- for youth
Unite EM NG 58 Football - £5000 restricted for youth football,£3500 unrestricted for core expenditure
Sladen Estates Salary - Nick Sladen agreed to cover the salaries for the General Manager position and an apprenticeship until March 2023
Community Vaccine Fund - funding from Nottingham City Council with the aim of supporting the
delivery of innovative approaches to engaging members of the community to increase the uptake of vaccinations
and to proactively address health inequalities
Area Based Grants - comprise 2 funding streams:
Area 7 (Clifton) for the year 2022 – 2023 we were Area lead between April – November. Payments made were to Local Voluntary Organisations providing youth and young peoples services in the Clifton area. This also included employment and skills provision which provides Work Clubs in the community.
Area 5 (Meadows). Provides employment and skills money to run community outreach Work Clubs and match funding for ongoing ESF projects. Area Lead organisation for this is Castle Cavendish. For the year 2022 -2023 – the funding amount granted was £21,000.
There has been a transfer from unrestricted reserves to cover costs incurred.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Richard McShane who was a trustee and board member during the year, supplied IT solutions, totalling £1,935 through his company called Room57. (2022 - none).