The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
The charity's objects are to further or benefit the residents of the Fylde Coast, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions.The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are to associate together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation. The objective is to improve the conditions or life for the residents. In order to achieve these aims the trustees have established a community centre to enable community activities to take place in a safe and secure environment. They also run a Friends group in the local park and have taken a lease of an allotment that they intend to make available to all members of the community. There has been no change in these during the year.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The charity is grateful for the support of the volunteers without whom the charity would be unable to function effectively.
2024–25 has been a record-breaking year for us, with over 21,500 visits to our wide range of classes and activities — the highest footfall we have ever recorded. We now offer a diverse weekly programme catering to all ages, including arts and crafts, games sessions, lunch clubs, computer classes, and a gardening group for older adults. For younger families, we run a toddler group and a popular Family Night, creating welcoming spaces for connection and shared experiences. Feedback from attendees regularly highlights the vital role we play in the local community. Many describe The Hub as a lifeline — a warm, welcoming place to make new friends, share a chat, and enjoy a laugh. The Hub now serves lunch three times a week, and this continues to be extremely well-attended and appreciated by our visitors.
Our commitment to community extends beyond The Hub. We continue to run the Friends Group at Highfield Park, and we were proud to be awarded a Green Flag Award in the summer of 2024 — one of only two parks in Blackpool to receive this prestigious recognition.
This year also marked a new chapter as we took on the lease for an allotment adjacent to the park, which is being transformed into a community garden. We are excited to officially open this new space in summer 2025, providing further opportunities for people of all ages to come together, grow, and thrive.
The cost of living crisis continues to affect many of the families we support, with numerous households still struggling to stay afloat. At the heart of our work is the belief that employment is a key pathway out of poverty. With this in mind, we launched a new initiative in September called “All About You”, in partnership with Blackpool & Fylde College. This free programme was designed to help participants identify their skills, build confidence, and overcome barriers such as anxiety. The impact has been remarkable: across our first four cohorts, we’ve seen an impressive 86% success rate. Many of the participating mums are now volunteering, employed, or enrolled in full-time education. Thanks to the continued support of our funders, we are delighted to be able to extend and develop this life-changing programme in the coming year.
The Centre has continued to be a vibrant hub of activity throughout the year, with a consistently high level of engagement across all our services. In response to increasing demand, we were pleased to recruit an additional member of staff in 2024, whose role focuses on supporting families and addressing issues related to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
As of the end of the financial year, the charity holds net reserves of £108,656 with £109,377 held as cash at the bank. These reserves are made up of income generated through our classes and activities, as well as generous support from a range of grant funders.
The net reserves comprise £47,811 in restricted funds and £60,845 in unrestricted funds.
It remains the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds not designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between six and twelve month’s expenditure. The trustees believe this reserve level provides sufficient flexibility to safeguard the charity's operations in the event of a significant reduction in funding, allowing time to seek alternative income sources. We are pleased to report that this reserve level has been successfully maintained throughout the year. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Our principal source of funding during the year was The Tudor Trust, whose support enabled the recruitment of a Centre Manager and contributed to core operational costs. Blackpool Council also provided vital funding to support families facing financial hardship and enabled us to deliver our successful ‘All About You’ programme.
We are also grateful for the support of:
The Pay Back Time Trust, which contributed to core costs and the development of our new community garden;
The Halsall Foundation, who funded a staff member;
Squires Gate Ward Councillors, who supported activities within our Babies & Buddies group;
The Arnold Clark Community Fund, which contributed to our Baby Bank;
ASDA, who kindly funded a garden shed for our new community garden.
In addition, The Friends of Highfield Park continued to benefit from donations from Beaverbrooks, helping us maintain and enhance this valuable community space.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Planning for the future
The trustees are looking to maintain and grow the activities available at the centre and to help families to equip themselves to combat the cost of living in the future.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Trustees are recruited from members of the local community with particular skills in the aims and objectives of the charity.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees act as a management committee and meet on a regular basis to determine the policy and direction of the organisation.
New trustees are encouraged to get to know the organisation and are mentored by existing trustees.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of South Shore Community Partnership Ltd (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
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 Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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 financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
South Shore Community Partnership Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 20 Heron Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8FB.
The principal address is
The Old Library Community Centre
120 Highfield Road
Blackpool
FY4 2JF
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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 category.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Centre costs
Centre costs
Insurance
Broadband and internet costs
Utility costs
Office costs
Sundries
Centre - Repairs and refurb
Centre - Cleaning
Centre - Repairs and refurbishment
Centre - Council costs
Event expenses
Class expenses
Baby Bank
Bank charges
Cost of living support payments
The charity operates a community centre and therefore all costs incurred are in relation to the operation of the community centre.
With the exception of the payment of a salary as centre manager to the spouse of a trustee and the reimbursement of out of pocket expenses to trustees, none of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
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 restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
Other than as disclosed elsewhere there were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).