REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FOR |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FOR |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 7 |
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 8 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 9 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
Balance Sheet | 11 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 | to | 20 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
The trustees, a number of whom are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report, including the directors report, with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
The aftermath of a fatal road collision is truly devastating, with numerous lives being taken and countless more being irrevocably changed in a blink of the eye. The early intervention of the Road Victims Trust (RVT) makes a very real difference to the people who receive their support. |
Our Vision: |
RVT's vision is of a society where everyone has access to a holistic package of emotional, practical and, where required, legal support to enable them to meet their needs following death or life changing injury on the road. |
Our Values: |
We value: |
- Supporting our clients throughout our interactions with them and identifying and responding to their needs. |
- Meeting our obligations and delivering our promises. |
- Caring for the emotional and physical wellbeing of staff and volunteers. |
- The commitment and contribution of our staff and volunteers. |
- Equality of opportunity, diversity, honesty, fairness, openness and integrity in all that we do. |
- Making the best use of our resources. |
The ethos of our independent charitable trust reflects the above principles. It includes a passionate determination to improve and develop our services and to raise national awareness of the issues involved following serious road collisions. |
Fundamentally, therefore, the overall guiding principles of RVT have a client focus and are needs based. |
The charity, The Road Victims Trust, is established for the public benefit. The objects of the charitable company are to provide emotional and practical support to all persons affected by a road death in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Following requests from the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC's) of Norfolk and Suffolk, we have given support to the residents of those areas and from 1 April 2023 entered formal service agreements with those counties. The charity's objects, set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, specifically include the following: |
- To relieve sickness and distress among persons within the United Kingdom who have suffered the same as a result of any serious road collision and the families of such persons who are injured; |
- To advance public education and awareness by research into issues relating to the victims of road traffic collisions and their families, and to disseminate the useful results of such research. |
Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. |
The following strategies have been identified as crucial to our success in achieving our aims: |
Governance Strategy: |
The RVT Trustees to act as a guardian of our vision, values, aims and assets, protecting the probity of the organisation and ensuring the vitality and long-term wellbeing of RVT. |
Financial Strategy: |
To secure funding to underpin the long-term future of the RVT, and to make best use of our financial resources in order to develop RVT services. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
Objectives and aims (Continued) |
Research and Knowledge Management Strategy: |
To effect change and improvements that actively support the needs of victims and families affected by serious road traffic collisions. |
Business Development Strategy: |
To develop the overall service provision of the RVT and increase national awareness of the need for such vital services, and to work with other agencies and organisations to enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of the service provided. |
Information Systems Strategy: |
To ensure the appropriate level of investment is made in Information Systems (IS) to achieve both our desired strategic outcomes and operational focus. |
Key Performance Indicators: |
- The Trustees will approve the annual priorities for the Trust and monitor performance against them at each Trustee meeting. |
- Service delivery will be monitored by the Chief Executive on a monthly basis and by the Trustees at each meeting. |
- The Chief Executive and Clinical Service Lead will periodically review and evaluate the performance of the service provision. |
- The reports on such performance will be presented to the Board of Trustees. |
Significant activities |
The Road Victims Trust (RVT) provides an holistic service that attends to both practical and emotional needs of anyone affected by Fatal and Serious Injury collisions on the roads. We have a client led approach and carefully listen to the individual needs of the individual from the outset. |
We offer free, weekly counselling sessions as well as practical support. Counselling sessions are for as long as is useful when there has been a fatality, due to the complex, unique feelings that are experienced following being bereaved by, or having witnessed, such a collision. We also offer practical support following assessment and signpost where appropriate. We are able to provide further practical support through the legal and administrative processes that follow in the months or years after the collision. |
During the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, we supported 620 individuals who have been affected by the death or serious injury of someone on the roads of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Of these, 380 have accepted a level of our service, with 204 having one or more calls from an individual case manager providing emotional and practical support, and 176 have received free,regular weekly counselling sessions. We have also continued to support 104 people who continued to receive counselling from the previous year. |
The counselling is provided by either a Coordinator or Counselling Volunteer and is free to the client, and for as long as both the client and The Road Victims Trust (RVT) feel it is useful. This may range from a few weeks to a couple of years and will often remain an important part of the support through inquest or criminal court proceedings that may follow. |
This year we have provided input on Family Liaison Office training across the 5 counties. We love doing this as our relationship with the Police and their trust in us is key to being able to deliver the service. We have engaged with colleges and students to talk about how they might be able to work with us, and how we might support them to achieve their counselling qualification in an organisation that recognises the need to support counsellors physical and emotional wellbeing if they are to be fully available to |
work with their clients. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Significant activities (Continued) |
During 2023/24, we ran two intensive (45 hours over 5 weeks) training courses for counsellors who are either senior trainees or qualified, who have the potential to become counselling volunteers with the RVT. The first was in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and the second in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. From these courses we successfully recruited 15 new counselling volunteers who have now joined the team. |
All of our counselling volunteers receive a high level of support to ensure they are offering best practice, |
including 1:1 fortnightly or monthly clinical supervision and continuous professional development. Our |
counselling volunteers do a difficult but often rewarding job and we value their commitment and |
expertise which is at the core of what we do. |
It has been another year of development and transition as we have improved and adjusted our systems to enable new ways of providing our service. This has continued to present us with challenges, however, the dedication and adaptability of our staff and Counselling Volunteers in the service of our Clients has once more been exceptional. |
The Road Victims Trust are represented at the three Strategic Road Safety Partnerships across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These partnerships all strive to reduce the amount of casualties on the roads of the three counties and we are able to bring our experience and expertise specifically to look at the post collision response. |
Public benefit |
The services of the charity operate for the public benefit and are available to all in the local community as stated in the objects set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and as described in the objectives and aims above. |
The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011. |
Volunteers |
As always, we are extremely grateful to our very loyal friends and supporters who continue to fundraise for us in many wonderful ways, continuing to raise awareness and funds for the RVT. |
It has been a challenging year, however, the service we provide, whilst different from pre-pandemic times, has remained of high quality and this is due to the exceptional commitment and professionalism of both the staff team and our valued Counsellors who offer their services on a voluntary basis. |
Our Friends and Supporters: |
It is not possible to mention every one of the hundreds of Friends and Supporters who have donated so much by way of time, energy and money. Here is a very small selection of some of the Corporates and Businesses which have provided generous support to the Road Victims Trust: |
- The Bedfordshire Charitable Trust, |
- The Wixamtree Trust, |
- The Harpur Trust (Supporting families in Bedford Borough), |
- The Highways Agency, |
- The Police and Crime Commissioners of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk for providing funding towards our core service. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
The Road Victims Trust is a registered charity that has operated in Bedfordshire since 1995, in Hertfordshire since 2010 and in Cambridgeshire since 2013, to provide the following services to all residents of these three counties affected by fatal road collisions: |
- Regular weekly emotional and practical support for individuals and families for as long as it is useful. |
- Space to express the whole range of feelings that come with the loss and horror following a fatal road collision. |
- Time to discuss the repercussions of the collision that is a life-changing event for all those involved. |
- Information on the investigation, inquest and court hearings, and preparation and support for inquests and hearings. |
In addition, we offer telephone support to enquiries from outside Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. |
During the year ended 31 March 2024 RVT: |
- Received 225 referrals relating to fatal and life-changing collisions- 86% of which were from the Police in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. |
- Provided: |
- Long-term support to 280 individuals by way of a one-to-one counselling service, |
- Maintained, trained and retained a cohort of 62 highly trained and qualified Counsellors. |
Fundraising activities |
In order to continue to provide our services across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the RVT rely on the friendship and support of many people, groups and businesses across the communities. |
"We continue to be supported by a loyal group of supporters who have taken part in many fundraising events for us. Undoubtedly the economic down-turn has meant that there has been a subsequent decrease in regular giving and planned events. Nonetheless we have continued to receive good levels of support that make a very real difference to so many." |
Internal and external factors |
The Road Victims Trust has historically been wholly financed by charitable donations and grant making trusts supplemented with occasional Government grants. |
Since 2014 we have forged close links with the Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. These links have been further developed with the signing of formal Service Level and Information Sharing Agreements. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
For the year ended 31 March 2024, the charity had an overall net income surplus of £17,802 (2023: Surplus £52,909). |
Total income increased by £38,589, from £406,657 to £445,246. Included was income from donations and gifts, which amounted to £90,789 (2023: £117,188), a decrease of £26,399. Income from local government agencies increased to £314,600 (2023: £239,050). |
Expenditure on charitable activities totalled £427,444 for the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to £353,748 for the year ended 31 March 2023. This represented an increase during the year of £73,696. |
Overall, the funds of the charitable company have increased from £397,388 as at 31 March 2023 to £415,190 as at 31 March 2024, and is considered to have sufficient funds carried forward. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Principal funding sources |
The principal funding sources for the charity during the year were provided by local government agencies, for example: The Highways Agency, Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Police, Hertfordshire Police, Norfolk Police and Suffolk Police. |
The funding position of the RVT, in common with many other small charities, remains hugely challenging and far greater emphasis and focus has been placed on the delivery of a financial strategy that enables us to provide the best possible levels of victims care within the constraints of the budget. |
Road Victims Trust Fundraising Standards: |
The RVT conforms to all recognised fundraising standards. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the Institute of Fundraising in the UK. The RVT recognises and conforms to the 6 guiding principles expected by the Charity Commission: |
- Planning Effectively, |
- Supervision of Fundraisers, |
- Protecting Reputation, Money and Other Assets, |
- Following Fundraising Law and Regulation, |
- Follow the Recognised Standard for Fundraising, |
- Be Open and Accountable. |
Investment policy and objectives |
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association the company has the power to make any investments which the trustees see fit. The charity has no long-term investments. The company's cash reserves are held mainly in a bank current and short-term investment bank accounts. The trustees invest some of the cash reserves in bank deposit accounts and will look to maximise investment income receivable from bank accounts, whilst balancing this with the need to keep funds readily available to meet the operating costs of the charitable company. |
Reserves policy |
The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the company's activities in the medium term and the trustees consider the financial position of the company to be satisfactory. The policy of the trustees is to hold sufficient funds to meet the operating costs of the centre for the foreseeable future. The current level of reserves is £415,190 (2023: £397,388), and the company held £462,569 (2023: £479,043) cash at bank and in hand. |
Going concern |
The Trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and anticipate that the level of income received will increase for the year ended 31 March 2025. |
FUTURE PLANS |
Our strategic plan contains our longer-term vision and the strategies required to achieve it. The plan sets out the RVT’s three-year view and the framework of which will guide all those involved in delivering our services. It will guide us in the production of a list of annual priorities for development of the Trust which, alongside our actual service delivery, will form the basis for measuring our success each year. |
The following work-streams and projects have been identified as priorities for the RVT in the year April 2024 to March 2025. Separate action plans are in development for each priority area: |
- To expand the RVT model across the Eastern Region of the UK, |
- To increase the RVT cohort of Counselling Volunteers, |
- To roll out the findings of the Academic research commissioned in respect of outcome measurement, |
- To implement a fundraising strategy that enables sustainable and diverse income streams. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The Road Victims trust is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5 April 2011 and registered as a charity on 9 June 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 with net liabilities, the members of the company are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. |
The trustees meet regularly to administer the company and are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees have employed a team to deliver the charity's services and manage the day-to-day operations of the charitable company. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles of Association are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association at the first and all subsequent annual general meetings all the directors must retire from office, but all retiring directors are eligible for re-election. |
The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees and in selecting new trustees, seek to identify people who are willing to help the charity in the broader community work and enhance the skill set and structure of the management committee. Potential trustees are invited to attend trustees' meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity's aims and activities and, if all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees' meeting. The process allows due consideration of the person's eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills. The trustees may only refuse an application for membership if, acting reasonably and properly, they consider it to be in the best interests of the charity to refuse the application. The trustees must inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal within twenty-one days of the decision. |
Organisational structure |
The RVT has a group of dedicated Trustees who work closely with the Chief Executive to set the overall mission and strategic direction of the Trust. The Trustees also monitor and evaluate our work and ensure that the requirements of the Charities Act for proper governance and accountability arrangements are in place. To meet the needs of clients of serious road traffic collisions we are structured around a small team of paid employees supported by trained Volunteers. |
Our whole supportive culture has grown through collaborative partnership working. We are proud of our formal co-operative arrangements with the Collaborated Roads Policing Units across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the 3 Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the HM Coroners, the 3 Strategic Road Safety Partnerships and our informal links with the Fire and Rescue Services and General Practitioners. |
Through these partnerships and the dedication of our staff and volunteers we are able to offer a holistic service, free at the point of delivery, to our clients. |
Related parties |
The were no material related party transactions during the year under review. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Directors |
M R Turner (Chief Executive Officer, resigned 31.1.24) |
Ms L Hesse |
R Panton |
P D Jones |
P A Cook (Chief Executive Officer, appointed 31.1.24) |
Independent Examiner |
David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA |
Rawlinson Pryde & Partners |
Chartered Certified Accountants |
Argent House |
5 Goldington Road |
Bedford |
Bedfordshire |
MK40 3JY |
EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR |
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Road Victims Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). |
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to |
- | select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; |
- | observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; |
- | make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; |
- | prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. |
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company 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 corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Road Victims Trust ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies. |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts 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 |
4. | the accounts 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 accounts to be reached. |
David John Rawlinson FCA FCCA |
Rawlinson Pryde & Partners |
Chartered Certified Accountants |
Argent House |
5 Goldington Road |
Bedford |
Bedfordshire |
MK40 3JY |
31 January 2025 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Other trading activities | 2 |
Investment income | 3 |
Other income | 4 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Other |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 397,388 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 07591489) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 MARCH 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 11 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 12 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 13 |
Unrestricted funds | 397,388 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 397,388 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
The Road Victims Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales, and a registered charity. |
The nature of the charitable company's operations and principal activities can also be found in the Report of the Trustees. |
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charitable company and rounded to the nearest £. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). |
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue for the foreseeable future and consider the use of the going concern basis of accounting appropriate. The trustees believe that the charity has sufficient funds to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and is able to manage its risks successfully. |
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty |
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Income from government grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. In respect of grants received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all conditions with respect to the eligible costs being claimed, need to be met. |
Where income has related expenditure, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the Statement of Financial Activities. |
Interest on deposit funds held is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity which is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank and is recognised using the effective interest method. |
Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Expenditure and irrecoverable value added tax |
Support costs comprise those costs which are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include governance cost, finance and administration costs. Governance costs are those costs incurred in connection with the compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity. |
The charitable company is not VAT registered and therefore VAT incurred is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. |
Operating lease expenditure |
Amounts payable under operating leases are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Tax is payable on non-charitable expenditure which includes expenditure which is not incurred solely for charitable purposes and is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as current tax payable. Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Gifts and non-exchange transactions |
Acquisitions that are in substance a gift of one business to another where the substance of the transaction is gifting the control of one entity to another are accounted for as non-exchange transactions in accordance with the SORP. The fair value of the gifted recognised assets and liabilities are recognised as a gain or loss in the statement of financial activities in the year of the transaction. |
Government grants |
Grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable. Government grants are accounted for using the accruals model. The difference between the fair value of the grant and the consideration is recognised as a liability and amortised over the useful economic life of the grant. The amortisation is recognised within income. |
Government grants received as a contribution to revenue expenditure are recognised in the statement of financial activities on a systematic basis over the period in which the related costs are recognised in respect of which the grant is intended to compensate. The related expenditure is included under operating costs. Grants are recognised in the same period as the related expenditure provided the conditions for receipt have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
Financial instruments |
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or equity. An equity instrument is any contract which evidences residual interest in the assets of the company after deduction of any liabilities. |
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. Transaction price should also include transaction costs: transaction costs are those costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the debt instrument. |
If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction it is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. The present value of a financial asset or financial liability that is repayable on demand is equal to the undiscounted cash amount expected to be paid or received. |
On subsequent measurement basic financial instruments are recognised at amortised cost. Amortised cost is calculated at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid or received for basic financial instruments payable or receivable within one year. |
Impairment |
Assets not measured at fair value are reviewed for any indication that the asset may be impaired at each balance sheet date. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset, or the asset's cash generating unit, is estimated and compared to the carrying amount. Where the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities unless the asset is carried at a revalued amount where the impairment loss is a revaluation decrease. |
Debtors, creditors and provisions |
Debtors and creditors are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets or financial liabilities. |
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date. |
Creditors and provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measured. Provisions are recognised at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. |
Cash at bank and in hand |
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and bank current and demand deposit accounts. 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 is included in cash at bank and in hand when applicable. |
Estimation uncertainty |
The management board is of the opinion that there are no areas of material estimation uncertainty in preparing the accounts which would be likely to give rise to a material adjustment to the carrying value of the assets and liabilities within the next financial year. |
Judgements |
No judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Fundraising events |
3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
4. | OTHER INCOME |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Sundry income | - | 69 |
5. | SUPPORT COSTS |
Governance |
Other | costs | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
Other resources expended | 416,036 | 11,408 | 427,444 |
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: |
Other |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Other |
resources | Total |
expended | activities |
£ | £ |
Wages | 294,481 | 240,638 |
Social security | 21,822 | 17,287 |
Pensions | 8,207 | 7,032 |
Rates and water | 2,127 | 3,115 |
Insurance | 2,458 | 2,196 |
Light and heat | 1,884 | 2,423 |
Telephone | 6,293 | 6,614 |
Postage | 1,381 | 1,067 |
Sundries | 68 | 123 |
Printing and stationery | 663 | 358 |
Support and supervision | 14,060 | 15,678 |
Travel | 10,587 | 7,408 |
Advertising and publicity | 2,503 | 5,421 |
Refreshments | 182 | 1,157 |
Room hire | 2,963 | 850 |
Course and conference fees | 11,183 | 2,324 |
Cleaning and household | 1,010 | 1,003 |
Repairs and maintenance | 1,268 | 1,355 |
Fundraising costs | 7,687 | 3,403 |
IT maintenance and services | 25,208 | 22,830 |
Carried forward | 416,035 | 342,282 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
5. | SUPPORT COSTS - continued |
Other - continued |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Other |
resources | Total |
expended | activities |
£ | £ |
Brought forward | 416,035 | 342,282 |
Bank charges | 1 | - |
416,036 | 342,282 |
Governance costs |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Other |
resources | Total |
expended | activities |
£ | £ |
Independent examiner's remuneration | 1,980 | 1,535 |
Subscriptions | 4,514 | 2,204 |
Professional fees | 4,886 | 7,713 |
Statutory filing fees | 28 | 14 |
11,408 | 11,466 |
6. | INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Independent examiner's remuneration | 1,980 | 1,535 |
7. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024, nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
8. | STAFF COSTS |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries |
Social security costs |
Other pension costs |
324,510 | 264,957 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Management (Chief Executive Officer) | 1 | 1 |
Co-ordinators | 7 | 6 |
Administration | 2 | 2 |
Fundraising and Business development | 1 | 1 |
Included in staff costs, above, were employee benefits received by key management personnel for their services to the charity: |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries | 52,854 | 37,250 |
Social security costs | 5,829 | 4,093 |
Other pension costs | 1,395 | 1,118 |
60,078 | 42,461 |
There were no employees who received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000. |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted |
funds |
£ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Other trading activities |
Investment income |
Other income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Other |
NET INCOME |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
Unrestricted |
funds |
£ |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 397,388 |
10. | TAXATION |
The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Schedule 6, paragraph 1 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Part 11 Chapter 3 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. |
There was no corporation tax payable for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Prepayments and accrued income |
12. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Social security and other taxes |
Pensions liability |
Accruals and deferred income |
Deferred income |
Deferred income comprises advance income received in relation to the charitable activities of the company. |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Balance at the start of the reporting period | 72,000 | 68,698 |
Amount released to income from previous year | (72,000 | ) | (68,698 | ) |
Amount deferred to next year | 35,000 | 72,000 |
Balance at the end of the reporting period | 35,000 | 72,000 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
13. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 397,388 | 17,802 | 415,190 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 17,802 | 415,190 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 445,246 | (427,444 | ) | 17,802 |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 17,802 |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 344,479 | 52,909 | 397,388 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 344,479 | 52,909 | 397,388 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 406,657 | (353,748 | ) | 52,909 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 406,657 | (353,748 | ) | 52,909 |
THE ROAD VICTIMS TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
14. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
15. | POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS |
The Road Victims Trust withdrew its service from Norfolk and Suffolk regions on 2 December 2024. It is expected that this will result in a reduction in funding of £120,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioners of these areas for the April 2024 to March 2025 financial year. However, 31 clients are still being supported by the charitable company in those regions. |
16. | COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE |
The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1, during the period of their membership and for a period of 12 months thereafter. |