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)".
This charity objectives are to relieve mentally ill or infirm persons by the provision of accommodation and other assistance in order that they might be rehabilitated and resettled in the community. The charity aims to achieve these objectives by tailored activities and support.
To acquire suitable freehold or leasehold premises for the establishment of a home for the beneficiaries.
To maintain, equip, improve carry on and administer such a home for the care of the beneficiaries.
To employ staff to attend, train, and educate the beneficiaries (residents), and to accept help, assistance and services from such other persons as the charity may deem capable of furthering the objects of the charity.
To make all reasonable provisions for the payment of wages, salaries and pensions of employees of the charity.
To undertake any charitable trust that may lawfully be undertaken to further the objectives of the charity.
To appoint Trustees to act in the interests of the charity for the safety of any property given or held upon trust for charitable purposes.
Review the records of the care provided to the residents both in relation to personal records and also in relation to the maintenance and equipment of the home.
Determine the records of the numbers of staff employed together with their responsibilities and make reference in the individual care records of the residents to demonstrate the achievement of the charity objectives.
Maintain payroll records and details of job descriptions and contracts of employment issued to the staff.
Access the regular information bulletins issued by the Charity Commission and check that charity procedures follow any advice issued.
Ensure that the number of Trustees during the review period never falls below 3.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Significant activities undertaken and how they contribute to the achievement of the charity's aims and objectives
Close attention to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) essential standards for nursing and care homes. This ensures the continuance of the home and any changes thereof.
Holding regular discussions with approved social workers (ASW) and commissioning teams, concerning the needs of the residents. This ensures the home is fit for purpose and able to meet needs.
Listening to the residents and their families to ensure they are happy with the care provided. This ensures good feedback to the staff providing care for the residents, enhanced by formal feedback requests.
Discussions with the local authority/health representatives (commissioners) over the levels of financial support they will make for the residents within the home. Understanding of the finances helps the continuance of the home.
Maintaining good relationships with external professional partners such as hospital, GP doctors, Care Home Liaison and Urgent care teams, district nurses etc. when residents require medical attention and support. Resident's confidence in their care is thus maintained, and the services objective to help those residents in their care achieved.
Secure and ensure Grant monies available for the control of Infection are utilised and allocated as per set criteria and that these are for the express use in providing a safe environment and supporting the wellbeing of residents and staff at the service. In addition, secure any additional funding available for the betterment of care provided to the beneficiaries.
Delphside Ltd (operating as Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre) continues to provide care and accommodation for persons with longer term mental health problems. Delphside Limited works closely with Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICB's) and local authorities (MBC) to identify individuals who would benefit from a period of residence at the home. Where possible the objective is to subsequently re-integrate such persons back into their local community.
Delphside Limited Registered with C.Q.C. under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activity) Regulations 2010 and subsequent Health Care Act 2022. Delphside Limited continued to provide activities and services for persons identified as suitable for placement at Avondale during 2024/25. Central to that activity is the provision of accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, the treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
That service was delivered in accordance with the essential standards demanded by C.Q.C. and was overseen by Miss Paula Jones as the Registered Manager and Mrs Margaret Janet Albion as Nominated Individual.
During the review period the company was registered with the CQC for the provision of 54 places within the home. Places are filled because of requests ASW make upon the home manager to assess the suitability of people for placement. Should the assessment indicate a likely positive outcome, a place is offered. The costs of the placement are determined by the assistance likely to be needed.
Fee rates, set by the service were provided to the main commissioning authority’s and funding was uplifted for standard rates and the service continued to provide suitable care and services to its charges.
Having secured a grant of £100,000 (from OLC) a planned social hub was put on hold following the company providing this going into receivership, which caused a loss to the service of the deposit on that unit, funded from the grant monies. The service made a further approach to OLC and gained additional funding of a further £40,000 to progress the build of a hub and complete significant work to upgrade external accessibility, provision of usable gardening and growing areas for those less able bodied etc.
Previous work with commissioners in KMBC resulting in a upgrade of the Amber unit with a view to potential changed usage re type of cliental was stalled in 2024/25 as changes within KMBC commissioning and contracts has held matters up, however that is likely to progress in 2025, allowing wider support of persons with dementia type needs, allowing the service access to a further income stream.
The service continued to hold the highest rating of Outstanding following CQC inspection in January 2022. This saw the service remain one of only three such service providers on Merseyside holding the Outstanding rating and the only service in Knowsley in Mental Health care to achieve this. This has meant the service has remained in a favourable position. Following the Service’s work with the local Quality team and ongoing commissioning/contract reviews, the service remains the go to service for mental health care in the borough and for the wider area commissioning areas.
The impact of the cost of living and inflation continued to be felt by the service, but managed, with careful review of costings in some areas, such as catering and office supplies, housekeeping and with review of utility contracts.
Changes to staff salaries and the Real Living wage were planned for and help in securing a suitably skilled and staffed service during the period. A succession plan was drafted and allowed for future progression and maintenance of suitably skilled senior team members to allow future service delivery to be consistently planned for.
The financial results for the year are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities. Income for the year has increased by £174,623 to £2,702,901 from £2,566,517. Expenditure has increased by £181,155 to £2,646,364 from £2,465,209 (2024). This includes £68,340 of restricted income which has not been fully expended in the year and as such is held in restricted reserves. The net surplus in the year was £94,776 in comparison to a surplus of £101,308 in 2024.
This has resulted in total funds carried forward at 31 March 2025 of £1,103,848 in comparison to £1,009,072 at 31 March 2024. All funds carried forward are unrestricted, with the exception of £59,600 from Oliver Lymes Charity.
The charity does have a restricted asset of £1,100,000 at 31 March 2025, in respect of the property, however an associated loan of the same amount is also held.
Reserves policy
The Council of Management maintains a reserve fund. Historically the level has been between two and four months' expenditure costs for Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre. The Council have found a reserve to be necessary to cover the effects of fluctuating levels of occupancy rates and necessary expenditure as the building ages. This was reviewed and uplifted to a reserve that will cover a minimum of three and up to a six month period if achievable. There is a formal policy determining what reserves can be utilised for.
The freely available reserves of the Charity were Increased by £94,111 and totalled £697,716 (2024 £603,605)
The charity's principal funding comes from the following:
Halton and St Helens ICB
Knowsley ICB
St Helens MBC
Knowsley MBC
Warrington MBC
Liverpool MBC
Halton MBC
Cheshire and Wirral NHS
Delphside has the power under its Memorandum and Articles to make any investment that its Council of Management sees fit. Funds are invested in cash based deposits to produce reasonable income and/or capital gain over time.
Trustees take heed of the Charity Commission advice on the prevention of fraud by employees. Fidelity guarantee insurance is in place, as are internal checks and controls.
Trustees look towards how Government funding policies impact on local authorities and NHS Trusts. This leads to constant economies being made by both the charitable and private sectors as monies for placements in care homes is reduced. Trustees have seen a change in the needs of individuals being put forward for assessment. At the same time standard facilities within homes are increasing.
As a service Avondale has looked consistently at meeting all standards and exceed these when possible to ensure the service remains the "go to" service for the provision of mental health care in the community setting. The awards of Outstanding rating from CQC and Excellent from PAMMS, evidences the services work in maintaining and exceeding those standards, which along with ongoing referrals for complex mental health placements at the service evidence the service holds a strong position as a Provider of mental health nursing care.
Links with Commissioners and in particular Commissioners in the Knowsley area who have been the responsible Commissioning body for the service throughout have remained good. The Service has also forged links for provision of complex care packages further afield and will continue to do so.
The service remains fixed of its position that clarity on service terms regarding fees, contractual obligations and the rights of the service to set those at reasonable rates is a must. That being necessary to allow suitable service provision, whilst maintaining financial viability and help secure future service market position.
The service continues in is collaborative working with Health Education England, Cheshire and Merseyside Workforce resilience team, Enhanced Health for Care homes and is looking to expand its collaborative working in future, for the benefit of the service in terms of further education for supporting future nurses into the field of mental health.
Governing document and constitution
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The charity has no share capital, being a charity limited by guarantee under clause 6 of its Memorandum of Association, with each member agreeing to contribute £1 in the event of it being wound up. The number of members registered at 31 March 2025 was 6.
Council of management
The charity may at any time appoint a member of the Council of Management; there is no maximum limit on the number of members but there should be a minimum of three. At the Annual General Meeting one third of the members are eligible for re-election. The following served as trustees and directors of the charitable company during the year:
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the charity. All of the trustees are members of the charity and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Council of Management governs the Charity. The Council meets at least bi-monthly to consider reports from the officers of the charitable company. Agenda and supporting documentation are sent to the Council at least 7 days prior to the meeting.
To ensure good financial governance of the Charity, annually the Trustees require the General Manager (CEO) to produce a financial plan (budget) for the coming 12 months. This plan contains a budget of revenue expenditure and income. Also, the General Manager (CEO) produces a requirement for capital expenditure. This is considered alongside the existing cash position. The financial plan is the principal document that the Trustees rely upon during the year. They receive monthly management accounts on an income and expenditure basis, and a monthly cash analysis.
Succession planning is undertaken proactively to ensure continuation of a suitable council of management and allow suitable governance and controls remain in place. In the financial year 2024/25 this was completed with a specific eye to financial governance, meeting CQC standards and future key staff retirement. The General Manager (CEO) produces the succession plan, which the Trustees consider for implementation and approve. The succession plan 2024/2025 resulted in additional Financial governance and control in the form of the addition of a Financial Controller being employed.
Trustees tasked the General Manager (CEO) to produce a business plan. This is a document that is extensively reviewed by the Trustees every two years. Between these dates it is updated by the General Manager (CEO). It covers the risks within the insurance policy for loss of income following extensive physical damage to the home. It also explains what contingency provision is made to safeguard the existing beneficiaries should the home cease to operate due to a failure of any of the operational systems due to any cause.
Business continuity plan for the service is also produced and updated annually or when influencing factors, such as Covid direct changes.
Regulatory risk is managed by the home meeting essential care standards as required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Arrangements for setting the pay and remuneration of key management personnel.
Trustees have established a Remuneration Committee. This is guided by the Chair. The Committee meets annually and considers salaries for key managers against what is known in the local area. Additionally, there is a performance related bonus scheme (PRB) in operation. Trustees determine the total amount to be distributed. Distribution is against set objectives. All employees are eligible to be considered against the set criteria for the award of PRB.
Charitable status
The charity was appointed and registered as a charity by the Charity Commissioners for all purposes on 15th November 1991 (Certificate No. 1006024).
Patient's money
At 31 March 2025, the company held funds amounting to £87,526 (2024: £76,488) on behalf of the patients of Avondale Mental Healthcare Centre.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Delphside Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustee's 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;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 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.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Xeinadin Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The trustee's report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Delphside Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustee's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustee's report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustee's responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
· Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims;
· Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
· Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the formal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias;
· Enquiry of management and those charged with governance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.
Firstly, the charity is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
Secondly, the charity is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequence of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the charity's license to operate. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore, if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Xeinadin Audit Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Delphside Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Avondale Mental Health Centre, 11 Sandstone Drive, Whiston, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 7LS.
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.
Delphside Limited is a registered charity in England. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in the respect of guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the report to the trustees. The nature of charity's operations and principle activities is to relieve mentally ill or infirm persons by the provision of accommodation and other assistance in order that they might be rehabilitated and resettled in the community at large.
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.
The building from which the company operates were initially furnished by St Helens & Knowsley Health Authority. All gifts in kind are not shown in the financial statements due to the difficulty in quantifying them.
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 activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
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.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
As a registered charity, the company is not liable to corporation tax on its income, therefore no liability arose on any ordinary activities for the year ended 31 March 2054 nor 31 March 2024.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The Charity depreciates tangible assets over their estimated useful lives based on historic performance. The actual lives can vary.
Department of Social Security
St Helens MBC
Knowsley MBC
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Warrington CC
Liverpool CC
St Helens MBC
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Included within employment costs in the prior year were PRP bonuses totalling £23,575. This bonus was not paid until post prior year end and is recorded within creditors.
The Trustees consider the key management personnel to be comprised of; the Trustees, Registered Manager, Finance Manager, Service Coordinator and the Clinical Manager. The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
The charity does not intend to sell its freehold property in the foreseeable future, particularly as the trustees have ambitious plans to expand the provision of its charitable activities which would involve keeping the property in question and incurring further capital investment in improving it.
The charity purchased the property in April 1999 with the aid of a loan from Knowsley Primary Care Trust (formerly St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority) of £1,100,000 secured by a legal charge and the primary care trust was granted a right of pre-emption exercisable until April 2020. Therefore, the charity, if it so wishes, may now sell the property to a third party without the constraint of pre-emption agreement.
The terms of the legal charge, however remain valid and provide that on any sale of property by the charity the sale price has to be agreed with the Primary Care Trust and the sale price is payable to the Primary Care Trust less the amount of any reasonable sums which shall be proved to the Primary Care Trusts reasonable satisfaction to have been expended by the charity out of its own funds in effecting structural additions or improvements to the property.
Therefore, in the event that the property is ever sold by the charity, it stands to benefit by up to a maximum of the expenditure it has incurred in effecting any structural additions or improvements to the property up to the date of sale.
Any potential economic benefit to be derived by the charity in the future depends entirely on the property being sold. The value of the property is considered to be in excess of its initial cost to the charity, however the charity does follow a policy of revaluation.
The NHS Property Services Limited loan (formerly Knowsley Primary Care Trust loan) is secured on the land and buildings at 11 Sandstone Drive, Prescot.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
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.
Workforce Recruitment & Retention
During the previous year the charity received grant monies from Knowsley MBC to distribute to front line health care workers for their service in the the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oliver Lymes Charity
During the current and prior year the charity received grant monies from Oliver Lymes Charity to enable them to purchase a portacabin and associated ground works. At the year end the ground works were complete and tendering processes have began for the construction of a brick built permanent structure on site.
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.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The operating leases represent leases of equipment to third parties. The leases are negotiated over terms of 3-5 years and rentals. All leases include a provision for five-yearly upward rent reviews according to prevailing market conditions. There are no options in place for either party to extend the lease terms.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).