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 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).
Lets for Life provides high quality homes with excellent standards of specialist supported housing management.
These enable people who have learning disabilities with complex support needs to have a tenancy and live in the local community. It works with private landlords, philanthropists, investors, statutory and voluntary bodies, providers and above all, tenants and their families, to get the right home for the right tenant. Lets for Life provides ongoing additional housing management to its tenants to ensure they have everything they need to fulfil a safe and happy tenancy in a place they want to live in.
Lets for Life believes that all individuals have a right to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of the
differences between them in age, gender, marital status, race, sexuality, religion, culture, language or disability. It strives for equality in all aspects of the charity and welcomes diversity, without discrimination. Lets for Life strongly believes that constant monitoring and reviewing of its general structure, operations, policies and procedures is required for continuous improvement. This is completed not only by internal, external and tenant review, but with a strong focus on coproduction and consultation.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Following on from the previous years’ significant work on onboarding 4 new Transforming Care projects, Lets for Life have taken on a further one, based in the South East. Alongside these projects utilising NHS capital grant funding, Lets for Life continue to access ethical avenues of private funding to develop more choice for quality supported housing. Strong development and relationships have continued to grow in the key areas identified around the North West and Yorkshire.
Lets for Life were a key party to delivering the housing for Leeds Small Supports Programme – as the only Registered Provider who agreed to take part in it. This has since been used a good practice case study and talked about nationally.
This year Lets for Life was proud to be included for full participation in in the Small Provider pilot with the Regulator of Social Housing, to feedback full reporting of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures. The trustees were impressed with the overall response rate and results which came out of the questionnaire. It demonstrated that, of the tenants who responded, 93% of tenants felt that Lets for Life treated them fairly and with respect. 88% were satisfied that Lets for Life provides a home that they feel is safe. 91% were satisfied with Lets for Life overall. Whilst this is a positive response – there is always room for improvement. Lets for Life are looking to engage further with tenants to gain further insight and ideas of how we can be better.
We received 24 stage one complaints (per 1000 homes) – 1 in the whole 2023-2024 period, which were satisfactorily resolved within the timescales set out within the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaints Handling Code.
The Trustees believe this is reflective of only having a high staff to tenant ratio - we have invested in resource to ensure that tenants receive a first class service from every member of our team and contractor representatives.
Despite this, Lets for Life continually strive for improvement and the monitoring the Complaints Handling Code ensures, allows for us to do this. They welcome all feedback to help us to continue to drive up performance and satisfaction to all our tenants and stakeholders.
Given the reasons detailed in Achievements and Performance, the Board of Trustees are satisfied with the overall financial performance.. Given the significant growth fulfilled and challenges faced with providing excellent housing and support to our tenants, and navigating complex Transforming Care framework and projects, the Trustees are confident in the opportunity ahead with a team that is well equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to grow the business from its core base.
Through funding from its parent charity via an intra-group agreement, Lets for Life was able to maintain a healthy financial position. The company's financial resources are being closely monitored, recorded and reported at a managerial and Board level, and will continue to be so on an ongoing basis.
At the point of registration, it was approved by the HCA that the charity commits to hold a balance in reserves of £100,000 in order to fund ongoing liabilities and to protect the business from any shortfalls in revenue. Unrestricted reserves at 31 March 2024 amounted to £355,842.
One of the Trustees, Mr Cameron (via Hensmill Estates), has made available a number of properties at Newton Place and The Old Vicarage. These properties are leased by Lets for Life from Hensmill Estates and thereafter rented on by Lets for Life to individual qualifying tenants. The rental level between Hensmill Estates and Lets for Life is set using identical parameters as are operated with third party landlords.
In the view of the trustees, the rents paid are discounted from the market rates that Hensmill Estates could achieve by renting the properties directly on the open market.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Lets for Life is a registered charity (No 1157757), a company limited by guarantee (No 08972242) and specialist supported housing provider for individuals with learning disabilities who have complex support needs. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of its parent charity, The Cameron Charitable Trust.
Lets for Life is regulated by the Charity Commission and is registered with the Regulator of Social Housing as a Private Registered Provider of social housing (No 4863). To meet the Standards set (Governance and Financial Viability, Value for Money, Rent, Tenancy, Tenant Involvement and Empowerment, Neighbourhood and Community, Home), Lets for Life has adopted and complies with the National Housing Federation's Code of Governance.
Along with the charity's Articles of Association, the compliance with these standards is governed by Lets for Life's elected Board of Trustees. It is responsible for ensuring the charity strives for and achieves the strategic and financial objectives it sets, demonstrating probity at all times.
Lets for Life invests in its organisational structure and staff members who manage the charity demonstrating their specialist expertise, passion and knowledge.
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:
Trustees are recruited by reference to an Appraisal Review and Framework of Competency to ensure the composition of the Board such that it can perform effectively.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Lets For Life (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
Lets For Life is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Hensmill House, 9-13 Manchester Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1BQ.
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 charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities 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 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.
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.
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.
Property rental commissions and management charges are recognised when the charity has established the right to receive the income through performance of the related services, measured by reference to the stage of completion.
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 includes all VAT which cannot be recovered.
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.
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.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible 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, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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, 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.
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 payments 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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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.
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.
Rental of properties
Management fees
Property repairs, maintenance, etc
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 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.
At the year end, the charitable company owed £75,295 (2023: £156,600) to The Cameron Charitable Trust. Mr D R Cameron is a trustee and director of both charitable companies.
At the year end, the charitable company was owed £51,311 (2023: £158,524) by Hensmill Estates LLP. Mr D R Cameron is a partner in this business.
The charitable company benefited from rent-free office space provided by Mr D R Cameron.
Mr D R Cameron provided a loan of £5,000 to the charitable in the year ended 31 March 2023 towards the cost of a motor vehicle. The balance remains outstanding at the year end.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. Every member of the charity undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of the same being wound up during the time he/she is a member or within one year afterwards for payments of the debts and liabilities of the charity contracted before the time he/she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the same and for the adjustment of the right and contributories amongst themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 or equivalent.
The parent undertaking is The Cameron Charitable Trust, a charitable company registered in England and Wales and registered office of 9-13 Manchester Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1BQ.
At the balance sheet date, the company managed 81 units (2023: 82 units) of supported housing. The company does not own any housing units and has no exposure to void losses.
As part of the Transforming Care project, the charity received funds from NHS England to acquire four properties and pay for the adaptions necessary to meet the requirements of tenants with complex needs. Title to these properties is held in the name of Lets for Life on trust for NHS England. As such, they are not assets of the charity and are not therefore included on the balance sheet.
Acting in its capacity as agent for NHS England for the delivery of the project, the charity received a total of £429,537 during the year and paid out £776,430. The balance of funds held as agent at 31 March 2024 was £18,525.