Registration number:
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Contents
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Company Information |
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Directors' Report |
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Balance Sheet |
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Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements |
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Company Information
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Directors |
Mr DNR Foley Mr ADB Narraway Mr RJC Prince Mr W D Dunham |
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Registered office |
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Accountants |
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Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Principal activity
The principal activity of the company is is that of the promotion and protection of all trade and commerce, including shipping, manufacturing and allied activities, of the District of Dover, which includes the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, and more than 100 Villages.
Business review
The Profit and Loss Account shows that during the year to September 2024 we made a profit of £7 (2023; £5). Liaison with our sister Chamber, the Thanet & East Kent Chamber, continues to play an important part in sharing administrative burdens. Although financed independently, the two Chambers of Commerce continue to provide a powerful voice together in support of the best interests of all members.
The trading year illustrated again the resilience and determination of Chamber members in the face of challenging trading conditions. A fall in the Bank Rate from 5.25% on 30 September 2023 to 5.0% on 30 September 2024 provided little consolation to companies in the hospitality sector facing unreformed business rates. The fall in CPI inflation in twelve months from 6.7% to 1.7% suggested a brighter future if national insurance and supplier costs could remain steady.
Congestion on our roads in and out of the Port of Dover was improved during the year and the efforts of the Port of Dover to mitigate future traffic problems were warmly welcomed. It nevertheless remains frustrating to local manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and logistic companies that the A2 remains restricted to a single carriageway on the approaches to this country’s busiest passenger port. As this Chamber of Commerce has mentioned in the foreword to the accounts of the last two years, despite the arguments advanced by our elected representatives under successive administrations, there exists a significant number of local business leaders who consider that central government does not always appreciate the vital role Dover plays in our national economy.
Unemployment in the Dover District hovered above the Kent average during the year, but staff shortages eased. Freight forwarders and departments dealing in imports and exports duly updated their software and acquired new technical support systems to meet the increased regulatory burdens of trading with countries in the European Union. Strong links with the EKC Group, now rated officially as “Outstanding” in all departments, made a significant contribution to raising skills as did the strong ties with Canterbury Christ Church University and many private training providers.
Chamber business networking meetings offered a full programme to attract key decision-makers keen to hear the latest developments on issues that impact on their operations. As with the Brexit Referendum and similar major issues, we were proud to be trusted by the five main political parties to host a Chamber Question Time in the week before the General Election of 4th July 2024. Questions to the candidates centred on illegal migration, cyber security, staff shortages in the care sector, pollution on our beaches, parking charges, business rates, electric cars and National Service.
The Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich hosted our 23rd Chamber Charity Golf Day in October. In aid of the Dover Smart Project, registered charity number 1157776, twenty-two teams of four players competed for a wide range of prizes including a new Nissan Qashqai kindly provided by Canterbury Nissan.
We welcomed the considerable investment in the area from Dover Marina & Spa Hotel, Interforce, Whitemills Wakeboarding Park and Chapel House Estate. It was also a relief during the year to witness the end of the legal wranglings that had delayed the green light to the development of Manston Airport. The Chamber was delighted to host a celebration event in September 2024 to congratulate the airport owners for their resilience, courage and professional expertise in overcoming some loud but ultimately inexpert objections.
Around 400 companies and would-be company owners have attended our East Kent Business Advice Clinic (EKBAC) since its first session in 2011. Established SMEs looking for new markets and enthusiastic individuals with enterprising ideas for innovative products or services have all gained from the confidential guidance EKBAC offers free of charge to companies trading in our East Kent Coastal business community. Our Chamber Law Clinic has also now become a firm favourite among Chamber members who benefit from a free face-to-face individual session with a senior lawyer.
Our Chamber of Commerce continued to respond positively to domestic and international media requests for comments on business issues. The views of Chamber members were frequently represented on national television, local radio and overseas media outlets where the opportunity to see and hear what is happening in the East Kent is warmly welcomed.
The board would like to record its appreciation of the excellent service provided by our accountants, Beresfords, who have produced our accounts for the year. We are also grateful for the expert assistance and professional advice from Dr John East, Francesca Donovan, Mark Minus, Harry Kemp, Mark Myers, Irfan Baluch, Justin Bishop, Eric Haring, Chris Broom, David Otteson, Tony Freudmann, Will Scobie, Mark Proctor, Robert Leigh, Caroline Sabourin, Dr Bill Moses, Lynn Orrin, Abbie Kempe, Philip Thorley, Trevor Bond, Dr Sally Dixon, Julie Wing, Tony Broun, Graham Razey, Julia Westbrook, Chamber Manager Mary Campbell, and our Chamber Presidents, Sir Roger Gale, Natalie Elphicke and Lord Mackinlay of Richborough. In addition, we offer our thanks to our official photographers at Cloudcam UAV who supply most of the images we publish in our annual East Kent Business Directory.
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Principal activity
The principal activity of the company is is that of the promotion and protection of all trade and commerce, including shipping, manufacturing and allied activities, of the District of Dover, which includes the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, and more than 100 Villages.
Business review
The Profit and Loss Account shows that during the year to September 2024 we made a profit of £7 (2023; £5). Liaison with our sister Chamber, the Thanet & East Kent Chamber, continues to play an important part in sharing administrative burdens. Although financed independently, the two Chambers of Commerce continue to provide a powerful voice together in support of the best interests of all members.
The trading year illustrated again the resilience and determination of Chamber members in the face of challenging trading conditions. A fall in the Bank Rate from 5.25% on 30 September 2023 to 5.0% on 30 September 2024 provided little consolation to companies in the hospitality sector facing unreformed business rates. The fall in CPI inflation in twelve months from 6.7% to 1.7% suggested a brighter future if national insurance and supplier costs could remain steady.
Congestion on our roads in and out of the Port of Dover was improved during the year and the efforts of the Port of Dover to mitigate future traffic problems were warmly welcomed. It nevertheless remains frustrating to local manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and logistic companies that the A2 remains restricted to a single carriageway on the approaches to this country’s busiest passenger port. As this Chamber of Commerce has mentioned in the foreword to the accounts of the last two years, despite the arguments advanced by our elected representatives under successive administrations, there exists a significant number of local business leaders who consider that central government does not always appreciate the vital role Dover plays in our national economy.
Unemployment in the Dover District hovered above the Kent average during the year, but staff shortages eased. Freight forwarders and departments dealing in imports and exports duly updated their software and acquired new technical support systems to meet the increased regulatory burdens of trading with countries in the European Union. Strong links with the EKC Group, now rated officially as “Outstanding” in all departments, made a significant contribution to raising skills as did the strong ties with Canterbury Christ Church University and many private training providers.
Chamber business networking meetings offered a full programme to attract key decision-makers keen to hear the latest developments on issues that impact on their operations. As with the Brexit Referendum and similar major issues, we were proud to be trusted by the five main political parties to host a Chamber Question Time in the week before the General Election of 4th July 2024. Questions to the candidates centred on illegal migration, cyber security, staff shortages in the care sector, pollution on our beaches, parking charges, business rates, electric cars and National Service.
The Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich hosted our 23rd Chamber Charity Golf Day in October. In aid of the Dover Smart Project, registered charity number 1157776, twenty-two teams of four players competed for a wide range of prizes including a new Nissan Qashqai kindly provided by Canterbury Nissan.
We welcomed the considerable investment in the area from Dover Marina & Spa Hotel, Interforce, Whitemills Wakeboarding Park and Chapel House Estate. It was also a relief during the year to witness the end of the legal wranglings that had delayed the green light to the development of Manston Airport. The Chamber was delighted to host a celebration event in September 2024 to congratulate the airport owners for their resilience, courage and professional expertise in overcoming some loud but ultimately inexpert objections.
Around 400 companies and would-be company owners have attended our East Kent Business Advice Clinic (EKBAC) since its first session in 2011. Established SMEs looking for new markets and enthusiastic individuals with enterprising ideas for innovative products or services have all gained from the confidential guidance EKBAC offers free of charge to companies trading in our East Kent Coastal business community. Our Chamber Law Clinic has also now become a firm favourite among Chamber members who benefit from a free face-to-face individual session with a senior lawyer.
Our Chamber of Commerce continued to respond positively to domestic and international media requests for comments on business issues. The views of Chamber members were frequently represented on national television, local radio and overseas media outlets where the opportunity to see and hear what is happening in the East Kent is warmly welcomed.
The board would like to record its appreciation of the excellent service provided by our accountants, Beresfords, who have produced our accounts for the year. We are also grateful for the expert assistance and professional advice from Dr John East, Francesca Donovan, Mark Minus, Harry Kemp, Mark Myers, Irfan Baluch, Justin Bishop, Eric Haring, Chris Broom, David Otteson, Tony Freudmann, Will Scobie, Mark Proctor, Robert Leigh, Caroline Sabourin, Dr Bill Moses, Lynn Orrin, Abbie Kempe, Philip Thorley, Trevor Bond, Dr Sally Dixon, Julie Wing, Tony Broun, Graham Razey, Julia Westbrook, Chamber Manager Mary Campbell, and our Chamber Presidents, Sir Roger Gale, Natalie Elphicke and Lord Mackinlay of Richborough. In addition, we offer our thanks to our official photographers at Cloudcam UAV who supply most of the images we publish in our annual East Kent Business Directory.
Directors of the company
The directors who held office during the year were as follows:
Small companies provision statement
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved and authorised by the
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Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
(Registration number: 00087634)
Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2024
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Note |
2024 |
2023 |
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Current assets |
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Cash at bank and in hand |
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year |
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Net assets |
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Capital and reserves |
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Retained earnings |
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Shareholders' funds |
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For the financial year ending 30 September 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. As permitted by section 444 (5A) of the Companies Act 2006, the directors have not delivered to the registrar a copy of the Profit and Loss Account.
Approved and authorised by the
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Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
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General information |
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry is a company limited by guarantee, domiciled in England and Wales. The company's registered number is 00087634 and registered office address is as follows:
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the company and rounded to the nearest £1.
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Accounting policies |
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 1A smaller entities - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006 (as applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime).
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention.
Going concern
The Chamber of Commerce will continue to receive support from the directors. As a result the accounts are being prepared on the going concern basis and there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
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Accounting policies (continued) |
Judgements
No judgements have been made in the process of applying the accounting policies that have had a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements. |
No key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year have been made. |
Revenue recognition
Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the provision of services in the ordinary course of the company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.
Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
- it is probable that the company will receive the consideration due under the contract;
- the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
- the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.
Depreciation
Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets over their estimated useful lives, as follows:
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Asset class |
Depreciation method and rate |
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Office equipment |
25% on cost |
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
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Staff numbers |
The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, was
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Tangible assets |
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Office equipment |
Total |
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Cost or valuation |
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At 1 October 2023 |
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At 30 September 2024 |
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Depreciation |
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At 1 October 2023 |
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At 30 September 2024 |
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Carrying amount |
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At 30 September 2024 |
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Creditors |
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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2024 |
2023 |
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Due within one year |
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Trade creditors |
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Other creditors |
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Dover & District Chamber Of Commerce & Industry
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (continued)
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Company status |
The company is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.
Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £2 towards the assets of the company in the event of liquidation.
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Related party transactions |
Thanet & East Kent Chamber of Commerce
During the year the company was charged an administration fee of £4,270 (2023: £6,505) by Thanet & East Kent Chamber of Commerce.
At the balance sheet date, £5,759 (2023: £6,983) was due to the related party.
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Controlling party |
The company has no ultimate controlling party.