The directors and 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 Forum's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
North Northumberland Voluntary Forum (the Forum) charitable company's objects are:-
To promote for the public benefit the efficiency and effectiveness of the voluntary sector in North Northumberland and surrounding areas in particular but not exclusively by:
Promoting, organising and facilitating co-operation and partnership working between third sector, statutory and other relevant bodies in the achievement of the above purposes within the area of benefit.
The directors and trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Forum should undertake.
The year 2023 - 2024 saw an excellent turnout for the Awards Ceremony held in the Rugby Club, Berwick in September kindly supported by Bedmax Ltd. The aim of these Awards is to recognise outstanding examples of inspirational voluntary dedication that makes a crucial difference to people who need it the most in North Northumberland. The Berwick Voluntary Centre, Berwick has been actively used by a Tuesday morning Art Group, monthly Veterans Warm Hub and weekly Crafters Afternoon Tea. Other Organisations using the Centre regularly are the Conservation Area Advisory Group, Tribunal Services and for various training sessions hosted by resident Organisations. Resident Organisations include Northumberland Citizens Advice, Berwick and District Friends of Dementia and CYGNUS.
Continuing services
Rural Us funding from the National Lottery ended in October 2023 and the employment of the Project Officer ceased. Weekly Craft sessions continued to be delivered until March 2024. A request for future funding for Rural Us has been submitted to the National Lottery.
Volunteering in North Northumberland (VINN) has funding from the Lough Fund and Community Foundation up until June 2025.
Community Action Northumberland continue to give the Voluntary Centre £1,200 funding towards energy costs as the building is a registered Warm Hub Centre.
Memory Laners, the music-based service for people living with dementia, is going from strength to strength. Further funding has been received from the Ballinger Fund.
Our North Northumberland Network meetings held quarterly in Village Halls throughout the NNVF area, are funded by Thriving Together. These meetings are well attended.
There have been some changes in the Board of Directors and Trustees and we were delighted to welcome Alison Petrie and Paul Barrett to the Board. The following stood down from the Board, Catherine Seymour and Lynn Pringle.
Looking forward
Voluntary Awards Evening will be going ahead at the Rugby Club in September 2024 and once again supported by Bedmax Ltd.
Community Transport in North Northumberland is a new project to be taken on by NNVF and funded by the National Lottery Fund for 3 years. A Community Transport Project Officer was appointed and commenced his role in October 2023.
Funding is always a continuing issue for the Forum. Whilst our financial position is sound, there are increasing demands that we would like to be able to support.
As an organisation we are always looking to bid for funding for new projects that we wish to support. We always look to the future in order to show that NNVF is a thriving organisation in the Voluntary and Community Sector in North Northumberland.
The financial results of the Forum are shown on pages 6 to 20 of the financial statements for the year. The Statement of Financial Activities records a deficit of £21,973 (2023: £46,101 deficit) for the year.
The balance of free funds at 31 March 2024 was £4,315 (2023: £13,650). The Unrestricted Designated Fund totalled £12,311 (2023: £10,480) and represents funding designated by the directors and trustees for particular projects. The Restricted Fund totalled £34,621 (2023: £49,090) and consists of donations and grants received for specific purposes and related expenditure.
Reserves policy
The directors and trustees have reviewed the Forum's reserves. The Forum will in due course attempt to balance its expenditure against income derived from rents and charges. Reserves are only held to manage cash flow and/or where specific future expenditure has been identified.
It is the policy of the Forum 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 directors and 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 Forum’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.
Risk management
The directors and trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Forum is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Public benefit
In considering the operation, achievements and performance and finances of the Forum, the directors and trustees are satisfied that public benefit has been provided in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and guidance provided by the Charity Commission.
The Forum is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on 13 October 2020.
The members of the Forum are the current directors and trustees. Every member has one vote at general meetings of the Forum, which may be given either personally or by proxy.
The business of the Forum is managed by the directors and trustees, who may exercise all the powers of the Forum.
The minimum number of directors and trustees is two, with no maximum limit. The directors and trustees may appoint at any time directors and trustees to fill a vacancy or as additional directors and trustees. One third of directors and trustees are due to retire from office at the annual general meeting, but are eligible for re-election.
At the AGM Ms F. Simpson, Mr J. Elliott, Mr C. Hardy and Mrs B. Huddart will retire and all are eligible for re-election.
Having been appointed since the last AGM, Miss A. Petrie and Mr P. Barrett automatically retire, with both eligible for re-election.
New directors and trustees are given a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the latest report and accounts, and all the Forum's documents on governance. Subject to their experience and expertise, they are also given pamphlets issued by the Charity Commission explaining the duties of Trustees of Charities and offered training in any areas of their duties which they think they would like strengthening.
Directors and trustees
The directors and 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:
None of the directors and trustees has any beneficial interest in the Forum. All of the directors and trustees are members of the Forum and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of a winding up.
The directors and trustees, who are also the directors of North Northumberland Voluntary Forum for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Directors And 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 directors and trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Forum 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 directors and trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Forum will continue in operation.
The directors and trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Forum 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 Forum and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors and trustees report was approved by the Board of Directors And Trustees.
I report to the directors and trustees on my examination of the financial statements of North Northumberland Voluntary Forum (the Forum) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Forum 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 Forum’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.
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 Forum 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 other 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.
North Northumberland Voluntary Forum is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Berwick Voluntary Centre, 5 Tweed Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1NG.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Forum's Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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 Forum is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Forum 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 Forum. 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 directors and trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Forum has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors and 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 directors and trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the directors and 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 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.
Income is recognised when the Forum is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Forum 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.
Intangible donations are included at the value of the services provided.
Grants receivable are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when the Forum is entitled to received them.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost can be directly related to that activity.
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 Forum 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 Forum 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 Forum's balance sheet when the Forum 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 Forum’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 Forum is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the Forum’s accounting policies, the directors and 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.
Grants received
The annual property lease charge of £14,000 (2023: £14,000) is donated by Northumberland County Council.
Accommodation fees
Project management fees
Award night sponsorship
Award night ticket and raffle income
Heat and light and water
Insurance
Repairs and cleaning
Postage, stationery and telephone
Sundry expenses
Property lease
Bank charges
Subscriptions
Project management fees
Office rental
Grant repayment
Activity expenses
Grants allocated
Accountancy
Independent examination
Payroll services
Governance costs includes payments to the Independent Examiner of £3,433 (2023: £2,925) for accountancy, independent examination and payroll services.
None of the directors and trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Forum during the year (2023: None).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The income funds of the Forum include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
These are unrestricted funds which are material to the Forum's activities.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023: None).