Registered number: 06997931
Charity number: 1133430
BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
CONTENTS
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Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers
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CHAIR OF TRUST BOARD'S REPORT
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Statement of financial activities
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Notes to the financial statements
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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M Jackson Bridge (resigned 21 August 2023)
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S Haskins (resigned 26 September 2023)
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P Branch (appointed 3 October 2023)
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Company registered number
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Charity registered number
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Buttsbury Junior School
Norsey View Drive
Billericay
Essex
CM12 0QR
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MWS
Chartered Accountants
Kingsridge House
601 London Road
Westcliff-on-Sea
Essex
SS0 9PE
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
What is the Billericay Community Trust?
The Billericay Community Trust is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee governed by memorandum and articles of association comprising of nine schools in Billericay; Billericay Educational Consortium, a provider of initial teacher training and Anglia Ruskin University. The Billericay Community Trust complies with all regulatory and legal requirements as set out by the Charities Commission and Companies House.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The charity's main activity is supporting education within Billericay.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
b. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
Schools have continued to support each other across a range of activities, helping to meet the objectives of the Trust.
These include coordinating the Peer Reviews, organising working groups amongst subject leads / Business Managers / Deputy Heads, collaborating on the Music Festival, supporting the provision of Attendance Officers, and working on other common areas of interest
Achievements and performance
a. Key performance indicators
-Ensuring revenue stream can support and sustain the ongoing work of the Trust
- Qualitative feedback on the courses / training sessions organised
- Constructive dialogue through the ongoing peer review process
b. Review of activities
We remain focused on ensuring the sound financial footing of the Trust, and we have recommended a further increase in the per-pupil funding provided by Primary-age member schools as a result. This is due to increase year-on-year so as to ensure the ongoing provision of services. No major changes in activities are expected.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Reserves policy
At the year end the charity had unrestricted reserves £21,479 (2023: £27,099).
In light of the scope, definitions and purpose, the Trust aims to maintain reserves consisting of:
1. reserves to meet any redundancy liabilities in the event that the Trust become an employer;
2. general contingency reserves equal to one year’s worth of costs associated with running the Trust
The Board believes that this level of reserves is prudent and necessary to ensure that the Trust can run efficiently and meet future needs.
c. Financial risk management objectives and policies
The main risk facing the charity is a loss of funding.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The company is registered as a charitable company (number 1133430) limited by guarantee and was set up under a Memorandum of Association in July 2009.
The objectives of the Charity are to:
• Provide a forum for collaboration to sustain and develop school improvement and enrichment.
• To ensure outcomes in all schools are at least good or outstanding.
• Narrow achievement gaps, especially for vulnerable groups which include those children supported via pupil premium, special educational needs and disabilities.
• Respect each school’s individual ethos, culture, values and identity
• Ensure the strengths of each school are identified, celebrated and shared across the partnership.
• Engage with the latest research based approaches to continually improve teaching and learning
• Work with partners to identify and develop potential leaders.
• Share and develop expertise in curriculum areas.
• Develop outstanding teachers through the highest quality Initial Teacher Training programmes and professional development opportunities.
• Build cohesion, confidence and skills through networking with colleagues
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Assocation.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The Trust Board is responsible for ensuring that it meets all legal and regulatory requirements as set out by the Charities Commission and Companies House and that it fulfils its charitable objects. Strategy and its implementation are undertaken by the Management Board. The Management Board comprises of the Head Teacher (or nominated person) of each of the 9 schools. It meets termly and reports to the Trust Board. The Trust Board comprises of Trustees and Observers. There are 3 different categories of membership for the BCT as follows:
Members with the right to appoint a Trustee with full voting rights to the Trust Board. Only applicable to Trust schools. Land is transferred to Billericay Community Trust as detailed in the Protocol for Land Use. Billericay Community Trust appoints 2 Trust Governors on school’s governing body. Liability limited to £10.
Associate Member with the right to appoint an Observer without voting rights to the Trust Board. Applicable to any school regardless of school status. Expected to have 1 Sponsor Governor on school’s governing body to liaise with BCT.
Partner with the right to appoint a Director with full voting rights to the Trust Board. Applicable to any type of organisation or individual and school Partners may be any school status.
Plans for future periods
The Trust Board and Management Board plan to build upon the successes of the last period, and further deepen collaboration across the schools within the BCT. The Trust continues to evaluate what more Billericay wide initiatives it can help facilitate and / or fund. .
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
Assets held as custodian
Billericay Community Trust holds as bare trustee the land and buildings of the nursery at Sunnymede Junior School, with the school as beneficiary of the trust. Sunnymede is a Local Authority school run by Essex County Council and is therefore not a charity, but whose primary purpose is and remains education. The assets do not require segregation as the charitable company does not hold any land and buildings of its own, and all leases and licences refer to the bare trust. The custodianship is compatible with the charitable company's objects for the advancement of education of the pupils of any qualifying school and to further the interests of social welfare in the community. The school is a member school of Billericay Community Trust.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes 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 . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
∙observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company 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 Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 28 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
ACCOUNTANTS REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
In order to assist the trustees to fulfil their duties under the Companies Act 2006, the accountants have compiled the financial statements which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related notes, from the accounting records and information and explanations supplied by you.
We are a member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at icaew.com/membershandbook.
This report is made to the charity's Board of Trustees as a body in accordance with the terms of the engagement. An explanation as to the work carried out being in accordance with the requirements of ICAEW guidance and the purpose of the work and that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no responsibility will be accepted for the work or the report to anyone other than the charity or the charity's Board of Trustees, as a body.
The Trustees have acknowledged their duty to ensure that the charity has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the charity and that they consider that the charitable company is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or review of the accounts of the company and that for this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts.
MWS
Date:
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
CHAIR OF TRUST BOARD'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
This year has seen a marked increase in activity, participation and enthusiasm within The Billericay Community Trust.
We continue to bring together educational leaders and collaborate to improve outcomes for each school, its staff and pupils.
We benefit from the continued work together within Triad Peer Review clusters and each school is able to focus on curriculum areas most important to them. We have seen a collaborative approach to managing budgets, parent concerns and staff welfare.
An important focus for this year has been membership of the Trust Board and we have already seen an increase in membership with the inclusion of Scott Lister, who joins us from Mayflower. This has immediately introduced a new perspective and enthusiasm into the benefits that being a member of The Billericay Community Trust can bring to Trustee Governors of those schools involved in the Trust.
Once again, The Music Festivals were well supported across both Infant and Junior school children – a massive thank you to all those involved in the organising.
The Trust has continued to benefit, on a paid basis, from Attendance Officers to help work with families where there are repeated levels of absence across our schools. This helps to provide a good level of continuity when the children in question move from Primary education to Secondary education. This is still the main ongoing cost for the BCT, aside from overheads.
Work with the William de Ferrers School has continued and regular communication on plans and participation continues.
In September, again the leaders from across the BCT came together to plan the next phase of the Trust, with support, from an external facilitator. This has helped to define the operating rhythm and priorities for the next 12 months ahead, and bring a renewed understanding amongst the Trust and its board of what is asked of all participating schools.
I would like extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ann Robinson for her extended support as Chair of the Management Board throughout the last 16 month period. We are significantly aware of the pressure that all of our Heads are under and 2023 was no exception for Buttsbury. Ann has been instrumental in increasing the activities undertaken across The Billericay Community Trust during her tenure. We now welcome Michael Wade as the new Chair for the 2024/25 period; best of luck Mike and we look forward to working with you all.
Aaron Mears
Chair of Trust Board
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Total funds brought forward
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Total funds carried forward
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The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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The notes on pages 10 to 20 form part of these financial statements.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 06997931
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
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Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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Total assets less current liabilities
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Net assets excluding pension asset
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The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 28 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
A Mears
Chair of Trustees
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The notes on pages 10 to 20 form part of these financial statements.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The charity is a company incorporated in England and Wales and limited by guarantee, and registered
with the Charity Commission.
Its registered office is Buttsbury Junior School, Norsey View Drive, Billericay, Essex, CM12 0QR.
It is a public benefit entity.
2.Accounting policies
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Basis of preparation of financial statements
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The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Billericay Community Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The reporting currency is pounds sterling.
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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Liabilities and provisions
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Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the unrestricted fund.
Page 11
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Income from donations and legacies
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Contributions from schools
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Contributions from schools
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Subtotal detailed disclosure
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Income from other trading activities
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Income from fundraising events
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Page 12
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4.Income from other trading activities (continued)
Income from fundraising events (continued)
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Grants to Institutions
2024
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Grants for Attendance Officers
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During 2023 the charity made one grant of £8,000 to the Compass Education Trust to contribute towards an attendance officer.
During 2022 one grant was made of £7,300 to the Compass Education Trust to contribute towards an attendance officer employed by the schools and £1,776 of the grant to Mayflower was refunded to the charitable company.
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Page 13
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
6.Analysis of grants (continued)
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Grants to Institutions
2023
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Grants, Personal development programmes
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Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
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Personal development programmes
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Personal development programmes
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Analysis of expenditure by activities
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Activities undertaken directly
2024
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Grant funding of activities
2024
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Personal development programmes
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
8.Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
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Activities undertaken directly
2023
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Grant funding of activities
2023
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Personal development programmes
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Analysis of support costs
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Personal developm't programme
2024
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Personal development programmes
2023
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Page 15
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Wages and salaries - clerking
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The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
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The company did not employ anyone during the year.
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No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
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Trustees' remuneration and expenses
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During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
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During the year ended 31 March 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL).
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Page 16
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Statement of funds - current year
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Balance at 1 April 2023
£
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Balance at 31 March 2024
£
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General Funds - all funds
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Statement of funds - prior year
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Balance at
1 April 2022
£
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Balance at
31 March 2023
£
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General Funds - all funds
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Summary of funds - current year
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Balance at 1 April 2023
£
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Balance at 31 March 2024
£
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Page 17
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Summary of funds (continued)
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Summary of funds - prior year
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Balance at
1 April 2022
£
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Balance at
31 March 2023
£
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Analysis of net assets between funds
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Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
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Creditors due within one year
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Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
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Creditors due within one year
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Page 18
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Related party transactions
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During the year there were no disclosable related party transactions.
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BILLERICAY COMMUNITY TRUST
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Membership
Partners
Brightside Primary School
St Peter’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Members
The Billericay School
Buttsbury Infant School
Buttsbury Junior School
Quilters Infant School
Quilters Junior School
South Green Infant School
South Green Junior School
Sunnymede Primary School
Mayflower High School
List of Trustees (Directors)
Aaron Mears (Chair from 3 October 2023)
Maz Norman
Steven Kew (Chair until 3 October 2023 / Vice Chair from 3 October 2023 and resigned 23 April 2024)
Melanie Jackson Bridge (resigned 3 July 2023)
Suzanne Haskins (resigned 27 September 2023)
Vicki Gray (from 28 November 2023)
Pippa Branch (from 28 November 2023)
Scott Lister (from 23 April 2024)
Billericay Community Trust Officers
Victoria Freeman Board Secretary
Ann Robinson Chair of Management Board
Page 20
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