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, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The objectives for which Brockworth Link is established were updated in the change to the Articles of Association that was passed on March 2024. The charity is established to significantly contribute to the social and economic development of Brockworth by providing a community-based library and education centre, advice and support services for disadvantaged members of the community and a positive meeting place and support centre for the young people. Its objectives are:
(a) The relief of persons resident in the area of benefit in need, hardship and distress including the elderly and the disabled by providing or assisting in the provision of:
(a1) Advice and information regarding their legal entitlements particularly (but not exclusively) state benefits, housing consumer matters and debt and
(a2) Facilities and services to relieve persons suffering from substance addiction together with the families of such persons
(b) The advancement of education amongst persons resident within the area of benefit
(c) The advancement of such other charitable purposes in the interests of social welfare as are beneficial to the community within the area of benefit.
The benefit area is primarily the civil parish of Brockworth, the wider county of Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.
In planning Brockworth Link’s activities for the year, the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The focus of the charity’s activities during the year, which explains the delivery by the charity of public benefit, is set out below under ‘Achievement and performance’ and above under ‘Objectives and activities’.
During 2024–25, the library has maintained its regular opening hours and continued to play a vital role at the heart of the Brockworth community. Our activities have steadily expanded, particularly in the areas of education and youth engagement. Courses consistently receive positive responses, and we actively encourage customer feedback and suggestions to shape future improvements.
We have remained committed to forward-thinking development and have made tangible progress across several key projects throughout the year. Our youth provision, in particular, has continued to thrive, with increased participation and extended reach into surrounding areas.
Financially, we have maintained stability and successfully secured multiple grants, allowing us to deliver a variety of valuable projects.
Our day-to-day operations are managed by our core team of four: Monica Constantinescu (General Manager), Anne Fuller (Library Manager), Maria McIntosh (Assistant Library Manager) and Charlotte Mills (Youth Manager).
Some highlights from the year include:
The continued success of our Italian language classes, alongside the reintroduction of French and Spanish sessions.
Our Baby Bounce & Rhyme group remains a popular weekly fixture, attracting parents, grandparents, carers and their little ones.
Youth provision has seen significant growth, with expanded sessions in Brockworth, a weekly club in Churchdown and plans of a new delivery in Coopers Edge.
We partnered with the local parish council and church to host a highly successful Christmas Fayre, uniting the community for the second time in three years.
Funding has been received from Brockworth Parish Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council and other valued supporters.
With support from The National Lottery, we have continued using our CRM system, which provides valuable insight into attendance and satisfaction across both Brockworth Community Library and Brockworth Link. This has significantly contributed to our learning and development as a charity.
Investment policy and objectives
The trustees continue to monitor that bank deposits provide a reasonable return for the charity.
Reserves policy
The Management Committee has examined the charity’s requirements for reserves, in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be equivalent to six months of projected expenditure.
Budgeted revenue expenditure for 2025-26 is in the order of £80,000, which would require the trustees to hold a balance of c £40,000 in reserve. The present level of unrestricted reserves available to the charity is £54,936, which meets the trustees' target. The Management Committee will continue to keep the budget and performance against budget under review throughout the year, so that the minimum reserves required under the charity's adopted policy are always in hand.
Brockworth Link trustees have continued to operate in line with our four-year business plan, originally updated before the COVID-19 pandemic. We remain committed to turning that vision into reality. In August 2024, the business plan committee met to review and streamline the plan, making it more accessible and practical for ongoing use.
Trustees are working collaboratively to refine and update the existing document, ensuring it remains relevant and aligned with our goals. This is an ongoing process, with sections regularly reviewed and revised to reflect current priorities.
The significant housing developments in Brockworth present both opportunities and challenges and our planning takes these future changes into account.
Securing sustainable long-term revenue funding remains a key focus as we continue to grow and strengthen our services.
As always, we move forward with a sense of confidence, commitment and ambition for the future.
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up and the liabilities and winding up expenses being in excess of assets, the liability of each member is limited to £1. The charity’s governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 19 May 2003 and updated March 2024.
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:
Details of officers and advisers are given on page 1 of this report. The power to appoint new trustees is vested in existing trustees.
In accordance with the Articles of Association, Brockworth Link is directed by an Executive Committee comprising a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and such other Honorary Officers as the charity shall decide. The Executive Committee meets bi-monthly.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Brockworth Link for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. and signed on its behalf by:
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Brockworth Link (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.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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 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.
Brockworth Link is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Brockworth Library, Moorfield Road, Brockworth, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL3 4EX, United Kingdom.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
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 can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
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.
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. Grant income is recognised on receipt unless there is a future obligation to deliver services against that income, in which case it is recognised when those services are delivered. All other income is recognised on receipt.
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.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Tewkesbury Borough Council has a legal charge over the leasehold property that the charity occupies for its activities.
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.
Details of Restricted Funds
Youth Services - Funding for staff costs and expenses for Brockworth Youth Club (known as B-Epic and run under the umbrella of Brockworth Link), other youth activities and offsite events.
Capital Equipment - Funding for library improvements, IT equipment and expenditure on the library roof. Assets purchased with this funding are either capitalised as fixed assets and the subsequent depreciation charged against this fund or charged direct against the fund where the expenditure is not capitalised.
Library Services - Funding for operational costs to provide local community library services, including an IT suite for public use, and for extended library opening hours.
IT Classes - Funding for basic IT classes for the local community.
Roof repair - During the year, the charity undertook a major roof repair project, which was essential due to several persistent leaks within the building. The works involved the removal of the existing flat roof layers, followed by the installation of insulation and the application of a new mineral felt membrane. This necessary investment has ensured the building is watertight, energy efficient and fit for purpose, safeguarding the space for ongoing community use.
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.
Transfers are made between restricted and unrestricted funds at the end of every accounting period in cases where:-
i) the activity of the restricted fund has come to an end and there is an unspent balance that is not repayable to the funder(s), when the surplus is transferred to unrestricted funds; and
ii) the restricted fund is in deficit and has either come to an end or there is no prospect of a surplus in a later period, when the deficit is eliminated by transfer from unrestricted funds.
Various funders retain the right to claw back grants should the use of the funds not be in accordance with the terms of the grant. In the opinion of the trustees no such liability exists at the year-end.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).