The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum 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)".
Preston Bethany Care (PBC) is entirely operated by volunteer director/trustees who provide oversight of the charitable and company requirements for the operation of Bethany House residential care home. The director/trustees also aim to widen the reach and care provided to the elderly within the local Christian community.
Bethany House is a comprehensively equipped residential care home for the elderly, staffed entirely by professional management and care staff. Bethany House objectives are to provide care to all residents to a standard of excellence which embraces fundamental principles of Good Care Practice, and that this may be witnessed and evaluated through the practice, conduct and control of quality care in the home.
Bethany House is a Christian Home that upholds the principles outlined in the Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Alliance. Respect and assistance are given to enable each resident to follow their faith during their time living at Bethany House and to encourage them to continue living and serving their particular local church.
During FY2023/24 Covid 19 has had far less operational impact than during FY2022/23
The home is managed by a general manager together with two care managers and administrative support.
Bethany House staff team are supported and professionally trained to:
provide proactive person centred care for all residents.
provide personal care which assures all residents and their families of the highest possible quality of life whilst living in Bethany House.
be flexible, attentively, non-discriminatory, and respectful of individual resident rights to independence, privacy, dignity, fulfilment, and the right to make informed choices and to take risks.
ensure that each resident’s needs and values are respected in matters of religion, culture, race or ethnic origin, sexuality and sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, parenthood and disabilities or impairments.
ensure that the care service as a whole, is delivered in accordance with agreed Contracts for Care and the individual personal care plan.
manage and deliver a formal programme of staff planning, selection, recruitment, training, personal development and rostering, to enable resident’s care needs to be fully met.
manage the care service efficiently and effectively to make best use of resources and to maximise value for money for the residents.
ensure that all residents and their families receive written information on the Bethany House procedures for handling complaints, comments and compliments, and how to use it.
ensure that Bethany House provides a secure, relaxed, and homely environment in which individual care, well-being and comfort are of prime importance.
preserve and maintain the dignity, individuality and privacy of all residents within a warm and caring atmosphere, they are sensitive to residents' ever changing needs. Such needs may be medical / therapeutic (for physical and mental welfare), cultural, psychological, spiritual, emotional and social, and residents are encouraged to participate in the development of their individualised care plans in which the involvement of family and friends may be appropriate and is greatly valued.
to provide programmes of activities designed to encourage mental alertness, self-esteem, and social interaction with other residents, and with recognition of the core values of care, which are fundamental to the philosophy of Preston Bethany Care and delivered through Bethany House.
The above objectives are achieved by:
ensuring that all staff are appropriately trained and qualified to deliver the highest standards of care.
delivering a continuous staff-training programme which ensure that these high standards are maintained in line with the latest initiatives and developments in care practices as may be laid down in appropriate legislation.
staff working towards PBC and Bethany House on-going objectives.
the integration of efficient administrative practices with first class standards of care in accordance with the requirements for registration with the Care Quality Commission and appropriate supplementary regulations.
The director/trustees aim to provide sufficient resources to ensure the Bethany House staff team:
are provided with competitive remuneration packages
are provided with the appropriate equipment and materials to fulfil their roles
are provided with high quality training
work in pleasant, safe working conditions
maintain or improve on the May 2021, and susequent review in July 2023, CQC GOOD inspection rating
support Lancashire County Council by; providing affordable residential care for elderly residents from the local community
maintain its Investors in People Standard for a further three years from May 2023
maintains its ISO 9001 certification due January 2026
The director/trustees recognise the importance that the staff team fulfil in terms of delivering high quality resident care. In recognition of the staff roles the director/trustees are continually reviewing and improving the environment and conditions in order to enhance staff engagement and satisfaction.
Fundamental Ethos of PBC
PBC’s fundamental ethos are that residents who live in Bethany House should be able to do so in accordance with the PBC’s Statement of Values which include the following key requirements, to:
maintain residents’ rights with specific focus on helping them to maintain their privacy and dignity.
support residents to maintain their independence within a secure safe environment
provide resident care in accordance PBC “core values of care” to help residents live fulfilled lives,
The director/trustees recognise the significance and value of Charity Commission (CC) guidance and they aim to incorporate CC guidance and recommendations within their oversight roles.
Public benefit
PBC recognise the importance of providing benefits to the communities that the charity serves. Guidance provided by the Charity Commission specifically identifies requirements to provide “public benefit”. PBC fulfils this Public Benefit duty via a number of concurrent initiatives, including:
financially supporting a number of local authority residents who would not normally be able to afford the fees at Bethany House. PBC delivers this via their fee “top up” funding which is used to make up the shortfall in funding between the Local Authority funding and the accommodation fees.
providing good quality work for local community staff.
The current director/trustees (like their predecessors) recognise that:
the original costs of building Bethany House were largely met by gifts received via Preston Bethany Trust, thus reducing operating costs because there were no repayment or interest costs.
their on-going voluntary work enables public benefit to continue, whilst maintaining competitive rates for the care provided.
Bethany House residents benefit significantly from the reduced operational costs of Bethany House. There is an insatiable need for local authority care, so the director/trustees try to avoid creating “resident quotas” which could be perceived as benefitting either private funding or local authority funded residents.
Although the impact of Covid 19 has reduced significantly during FY2023-24. There has continued to be periods of time when positive tests have impacted on normal life.
The following commentary provides an overview of the progress compared to the 2023-24 objectives.
Developing the directors/trustees future strategies, and director/trustee recruitment continued
Director/trustee relationships have been developed more largely due to the fact we have worked together in recruiting a new Manager and then working without a manager while we recruited another manager.
PBC Objectives for 2024/25
Continue to strengthen the charity board of directors to establish a team of individuals who will:
Continue to maintain PBC financial stability.
Continue to maintain and enhance Bethany House, to provide a homely welcoming environment for residents, staff and residents families.
Fulfil the aims and objectives in the statement of purpose and consolidate the developments from preceding years and to maintain business stability.
Consolidate PBC current position and develop vision and strategy.
Continue to raise the profile of the charity in the Christian community and develop links with local churches.
Continue to improve the physical environment of Bethany House.
Strengthen the Christian profile of the organisation and further develop pastoral care.
The accompanying accounts show a surplus for the year of £67,474. This surplus is due to occupancy levels in the year boosting income.
The attached accounts show the current state of the finances which the trustees consider to be sound. The trustees are satisfied that the assets of the charity are available and adequate to fulfil the obligations of the Charity. They are also satisfied that the accounts comply with current statutory requirements and with the Trust Deed.
Reserves policy
In accordance with guidelines issued by the Charity Commission the level of reserves is considered and reviewed at regular intervals by the trustees. The trustees have previously adopted a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity, should be broadly equivalent to 12 months of expenditure. This level of reserves has been set because of the unknown impact on future years of COVID-19 and inflation. For the current year this would be in the region of £1,100,000 and the current free reserves of the charity are £1,049,619 (Note 16).
Under the Trust Deed, the charity has the power to invest any surplus liquid funds as the directors/trustees see fit. The charity has had a policy of keeping such funds in short and medium term deposits which allows the charity to access the funds rapidly.
Risk Review
The director/trustees recognise the crucial role that they fulfil in minimising risks to the charity and the community they serve.
During 2023-24 the director/trustees used the Charity Commission (CC) guidance to continue with their risk mitigation of PBC risks: The review identified a variety of risks and the associated mitigations, the most significant finding/conclusions are summarised below:
The director trustees recognise that COVID-19 presented a lower risk to the charity.
The global impacts, especially following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the Palestinian attacks in Israel during October 2023.
The review did not identify any major issues which were not already being mitigated, but the review did highlight some opportunities to improve processes and these are being progressed as required.
Where new specific risks were identified these are be mitigated as required below.
Identification and mitigation of major risks:
Closure of Bethany House following a fire or other major trauma. This risk is incredibly difficult to plan the precise mitigation measure required, but it is envisaged that the insurance policy is sufficient to provide some confidence that appropriate alternative accommodation will be provided as required.
Closure of the home by external bodies. The director/trustees closely monitor how Bethany House is performing via a number of 3rd party registration bodies. These provide the director/trustees with some ongoing assurance that the current Care Quality Commission requirements are being fulfilled.
Loss of computer held data - computer data is backed up constantly using an online backup service.
Loss of income due to falling occupancy. The director/trustees closely monitor occupancy levels (generally in excess of 95%), this helps them to plan budgets, staffing levels and future developments.
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 2nd October 2010 and registered as a charity in February 2011. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
The company was formed to take the assets and responsibility for management of the residential care home Bethany House. This was previously operated for many years by Preston Bethany Trust, a charity founded in March 1981. On 1st April 2011 the assets and responsibility for management of Bethany House was transferred from Preston Bethany Trust to Preston Bethany Care, and subsequently Preston Bethany Trust was removed from the Charity Commission register of charities.
The trustees who served during the year were:
Appointment of Trustees
The existing trustees are approaching charities in the local area to promote an awareness of Preston Bethany Care in the search for new trustees. A short video has been produced explaining the care Preston Bethany Care provides and what it means to be a trustee.
Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity.
Trustee induction and training
On appointment new trustees are inducted in the workings of the charity and provided with a directors pack which has the last accounts and minutes of trustee meetings. Information on the role and responsibilities of a trustee is given by provision of appropriate Charity Commission information. All trustees receive a DBS check prior to taking up responsibilities.
Azets Audit Services were appointed as auditor to the company and a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Preston Bethany Care for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare accounts 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 accounts, 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 accounts; and
- prepare the accounts 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 accounts 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Preston Bethany Care (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows 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:
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Financial Reporting Council’s website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
We obtain and update our understanding of the entity, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developments, including in relation to the legal and regulatory framework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding, we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This includes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud, we designed procedures which included:
Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
Assessing the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations considered to have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the entity through enquiry and inspection;
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
Performing audit work over the risk of management bias and override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for indicators of potential bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Donations, legacies and grants
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Preston Bethany Care is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Bethany House, Gamull Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 6TQ, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum 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 accounts are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Incoming resources from charitable activities comprise resident fees accounted for in the period to which the service is provided. Fees paid for care after the year end are carried forward as deferred income.
Voluntary income received by way of donations is included in incoming resources on a receivable basis.
Grants receivable are recognised on a performance basis when all conditions have been fulfilled.
Investment income in the form of bank interest is credited when receivable.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis, inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered.
The expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of running the home, support and governance costs which have been allocated to the only charitable activity which is the provision of care to residents of Bethany House.
Governance costs comprise all costs including the public accountability of the charity and it's compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to independent examination and legal fees together with trustee insurance.
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation 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:
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
The trustees do not apply a minimum value on items that will be recognised as fixed assets. The trustees review the fixed assets and the general decor of the home on a quarterly basis and implement a policy of repairs or replacement as necessary in the best interests of the charity.
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.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
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.
The charity only has financial assets (debtors, cash and bank balances) and liabilities (creditors and accruals) of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. They are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
The company operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity. The annual contributions are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Value added tax
VAT is not recoverable by the Charity, and as such is included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Donations, legacies and grants
Residential fees
Food & consumables
Heat & light
Rates
Rest home insurance
Registration & other fees
Telephone
Printing, postage, stationery & advertising
Repairs & renewals
Motor expenses
Miscellaneous
Gardening
Clinical waste
Quality assurance costs
Training
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
Insurance premiums during the year amounting to £2,529 (2023: £2,157) were incurred by the charity in respect of indemnity insurance for the trustees.
During the year the charity paid Stephenson & Wright Limited £6,454 (2022: £2,190). Andrew Wright, a director and trustee, is a director and shareholder of this company. The expenditure is shown within fixed assets £Nil (2023: £1,363) and repairs £6,454 (2023: £827). No amounts were outstanding at the year end.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
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.
Resources expended
Transfers
Resources expended
Transfers
The general reserve is the free reserves of the charity after allowing for all designated funds.
The designated fixed asset fund is the value of the unrestricted funds represented by the tangible and intangible assets of the charity.
The resources expended represents the annual depreciation charge, amortisation charge, and the disposal of the fixed assets.
The transfer from the free reserves arises when funds are spent on fixed assets.
General reserves
Designated reserves
General reserves
Designated reserves
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of members in the event of a winding up is limited to £10 per member.
The charity had no debt during the year.