JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Company limited by guarantee

Company Registration Number:
15187261 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024

Period of accounts

Start date: 4 October 2023

End date: 31 October 2024

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 October 2024

Directors report
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Balance sheet notes
Community Interest Report

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Directors' report period ended 31 October 2024

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 31 October 2024

Principal activities of the company

These are the first Accounts for Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare CIC (JHCL CIC). JHCL CIC was incorporated as a Community Interest Company Limited by guarantee on 4th October 2023 and since that date has worked hard to raise the funds needed to get the project up and running again. JHCL ran as a successful vibrant project from 2011 until July 2023 when the company acting as leaseholder suddenly announced their decision to ‘walk away’ from the project due to ‘changed corporate priorities’. This company had been responsible for employing the Landshare staff, had held the lease for the land, managed the accounts and funded a proportion of the Manager’s salary. To the dismay of JHCL’s many supporters and active volunteers the lease was handed back, staff were made redundant, and the site was closed (with no access) from 27 September 2023. Rudimentary partial accounts were passed over to the new entity JHCL CIC but no funds. Thus as 1 November 2023 the bank account was zero. It was later established that a ring-fenced grant donation of £800 from the local Masonic Lodge had been deposited in the Friends of Jealott’s Hill bank account in September 2023 and this was subsequently passed over to JHCL CIC in September 2024 and is recorded in these accounts as a restricted grant. In September 2023 a group of active supporters got together to create JHCL CIC and have been able to negotiate a new 3-year lease with the landowner. With the appointment of a part-time Locum Landshare Manager this enabled the project to re-open for volunteers in early April 2024, with Group Growing Plot users and supported clients following on at a slightly later date. Whilst these accounts cover the first year of operation for the Landshare as a CIC they principally account for operational expenditure generated during the period April to October 2024 i.e. for 7 operational months only. Since the creation of the CIC the Directors have worked tirelessly to obtain the funding needed to support the operation of the Landshare as a community facility. Two of the local Parish Councils (Bracknell Town and Warfield) had provided grant funding to JHCL for the financial year 2023-2024 and following representations from the directors of the CIC, in early 2024 they agreed to pass on the ‘un-used’ portion of this grant to fund the CIC. This enabled a bank account to be opened; the necessary insurance was purchased, and a new website and internet presence were created. A part-time manager was employed from day one of re-opening in early April 2024. These Accounts represent the work that has gone on since then to secure funding to enable the Landshare to remain open for its first year to the end of March 2025 - i.e. beyond the period covered by these accounts. We are indebted to the many donors both individual and corporate who have come forward to support our work and in particular to the fundraising efforts of our supporters and volunteers. Particular thanks are also due to those who have donated gifts in kind such as seeds and plants, fuel for the mowers, stationery, IT hardware and technical support, tools etc. Participation in the local Rotary Christmas raffle raised nearly £1,000 and produce and plant sales continue to bring in valuable income, as does the local Bracknell Lottery. No opportunity to raise funds is missed with over £500 being raised through ‘points donations’ through the local authority recycling scheme. We have recently started to receive income from supported clients and have also introduced an annual fee for use of the Group Growing Plots. We were delighted at the success of our Grand Re-opening event which although not set up primarily to raise funds generated £1,500. In addition to the funds raised by our volunteers we have been successful with three grant applications; to refurbish the poly-tunnel and make it more accessible for wheelchair users and to support and welcome young people referred by the Youth Justice team back to the site. Generous grants from three local Parish Councils (Bracknell Town, Warfield and Winkfield) have secured the future of the Landshare into the next financial year. These grants were made to contribute towards a full year’s operational costs, and therefore the accounts (attached) for the first year of operation ending on 31 October 2024, whilst compiled on an accrual basis, do not present an entirely accurate picture of the current state of JHCL CIC’s finances, as income and expenditure relate to different time-periods. A glance at the figures may suggest more ongoing reserves than is actually the case. Of the ‘adjusted’ funds available at 1 November 2024, unrestricted funds of £24,296 are designated by the Directors to provide £18,253 to cover 5 months budgeted expenditure to 31 March 2025, with an ongoing reserve of £6,000 – representing 12% Annual Operating Costs. Regrettably many other grant funding applications have not been so successful. It is evident that whilst the grant funding situation is difficult for everyone at present, it is particularly difficult for CICs. The directors are therefore actively looking at the possibility of moving JHCL CIC to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation - becoming a charity. Considering the funding of the Landshare longer term highlights the importance of all sources of funding and support, demonstrates how important all these sources are and how grateful we remain to those that provide them. Thank you. Future plans We are constantly looking at ways to make the Landshare financially sustainable. Our organisation is a valuable community asset, and we want to safeguard its future. The first step in doing so has been to identify the need to become a charity and to build financial resilience in the face of current and future economic challenges. With our community feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis it is critically important that we can continue to provide access to horticultural opportunities as well as meaningful nature-based activities. Across the board budgets are tightening and funding is becoming more competitive so ensuring that we have consistent and sustainable revenue streams is critical. We are looking for ways to achieve this across all of our activities and are currently looking at models for future income streams including ‘letting’ out parts of the Landshare site for events and encouraging rental of parts of the site by those running their own commercial enterprises. This will ensure that we are making the best use of the site. A new Supporters scheme and Corporate Sponsorship scheme will give us more secure, regular income, and a focus on our public events should bring in welcome income, as well as allow us to engage even more with the local community. Pop Up plant and produce sales will continue to bring in income. We also aim to build on the successes of our past by continuing to provide an eclectic mix of workshops and activities for our community. Despite the previous comment that the accounts appear to indicate a healthier financial situation than is currently the case, the Directors believe that the progress to date, in our first operational year, demonstrates the potential of the Landshare to achieve long-term financial sustainability.



Directors

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from
4 October 2023 to 31 October 2024

Mary Harris
Nicola Kaye
Claire Wallen
Paul Adams
Hapinderpal Chana


Secretary Claire Wallen

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
1 December 2024

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Mary Harris
Status: Director

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Balance sheet

As at 31 October 2024

Notes 13 months to 31 October 2024


£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets:   0
Tangible assets:   0
Investments:   0
Total fixed assets: 0
Current assets
Stocks:   0
Debtors: 3 3,196
Cash at bank and in hand: 30,106
Investments:   0
Total current assets: 33,302
Prepayments and accrued income: 0
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: 4 ( 3,446 )
Net current assets (liabilities): 29,856
Total assets less current liabilities: 29,856
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year:   0
Provision for liabilities: 0
Accruals and deferred income: 0
Total net assets (liabilities): 29,856
Members' funds
Profit and loss account: 29,856
Total members' funds: 29,856

The notes form part of these financial statements

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 31 October 2024 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The directors have chosen not to file a copy of the company's profit and loss account.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 1 December 2024
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Mary Harris
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 October 2024

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 October 2024

  • 2. Employees

    13 months to 31 October 2024
    Average number of employees during the period 0

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 October 2024

3. Debtors

13 months to 31 October 2024
£
Trade debtors 196
Prepayments and accrued income 3,000
Other debtors 0
Total 3,196
Debtors due after more than one year: 0

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 31 October 2024

4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year note

13 months to 31 October 2024
£
Bank loans and overdrafts 0
Amounts due under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 0
Trade creditors 2,473
Taxation and social security 0
Accruals and deferred income 973
Total 3,446

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

JEALOTTS HILL COMMUNITY LANDSHARE CIC

Company Number: 15187261 (England and Wales)

Year Ending: 31 October 2024

Company activities and impact

Volunteers cultivate flowers, vegetables & fruit and take part in practical activities, crafting & DIY, or simply enjoy the site to connect with nature. We run practical workshops & specific therapeutic horticultural activities tailored to clients abilities. Coffee break & lunchtimes are an opportunity for social interaction. Corporate volunteers enjoy undertaking activities in the outdoors, we also host community service work parties & young people engaging in restorative justice. Our regular community events are open to everyone, alongside pop-up shops, Forest School activities for young people, workshops for care home residents & group growing plots. We provide a diverse range of services to meet local need with all activities focused on the outdoors, improving access & knowledge in how to care for land & the environment. Impact is reflected in much positive feedback: ‘I was able to adjust my activity to suit my recovery’, ‘tensions & problems are shed, I look forward to the day’.

Consultation with stakeholders

Stakeholders were consulted by Questionnaire in the week commencing 1st June 2025. The results are still being analysed but the they will be used to inform the strategic direction of the project as well as help us to address any immediate issues raised.

Directors' remuneration

No remuneration was received

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
1 December 2024

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Mary Harris
Status: Director