Mudeford Wood Community Trust - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07592707 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1141612

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

MUDEFORD WOOD COMMUNITY TRUST

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Balance Sheet

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

14

TRUSTEES

Richard Ashdown

Paul Hilliard (Honorary Treasurer)

Elizabeth Sabey (Chairman)

Victoria Fuller

Michael Scott-Johns

Deborah Stephens

Samuel Weeks (resigned 14.9.24)

Roger Burge (appointed 14.9.24)

COMPANY SECRETARY

Roger Burge

REGISTERED OFFICE

The Treasurer

Mudeford Wood Community Centre

Pipers Drive

Christchurch

Dorset

BH23 4TR

REGISTERED COMPANY
NUMBER

07592707 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY
NUMBER

1141612

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Terence L Smith & Co

Chartered Accountants

38a Station Road

New Milton

Hampshire

BH25 6JX

BANKERS

CAF Bank Ltd

PO Box 289

West Malling

Kent

ME19 4TA

The Trustees, who are also Directors of the Trust for the purposes of the Companies Act, submit their Report and the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2025. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, 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) effective 1 January 2015. As a charitable company, the Trust is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Review of Activities and Future Developments

The specific object of the Trust is explained within its Articles of Association and, in summary, is: to promote for the benefit of inhabitants of Mudeford Wood, Christchurch, Dorset (and the surrounding area) the provision of facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or, social or economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the life of the said inhabitants. In practice this will mean the provision of facilities offering diverse activities for the social, mental and physical wellbeing of the local community, regardless of age, ethnicity or culture. To help achieve this, the Trust engages with and encourages the local community to become involved in the planning of activities and the running of the facilities at Mudeford Wood Community Centre.

The Trust's operations meet its public benefit expectations achieved with an enthusiastic set of volunteers running the Community Centre and its associated sporting and other recreational facilities. The Trust assumed responsibility for the Mudeford Wood Community Centre and adjacent all-weather pitch together with access rights to the adjacent field from Christchurch Borough Council (Now BCP Council) within the terms of licence agreements on 1st April 2012 pending the enactment of a lease for the former two areas in November 2013. The Centre is a busy and thriving community based facility that offers a diverse range of activities together with the opportunity for individuals and societies to hire the all-weather pitch, rooms and halls for their members and others. In planning activities for the period the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and the needs of the local community. The Trust has confirmed its commitment for the Centre to be used for community purposes during a period of emergency and/or local crisis as an evacuation or temporary holding location.

The Trust's approach to costs management together with efficient use of available resources means that the Centre remains a financially viable charitable based organisation. The Trust continually seeks to raise funds and seek grants in order to maintain and enhance the Centre's facilities and activities provided. The Trustees use an electronic booking system and employ financial accountants to produce management reports and information that allows informed decisions to be made about marketing spare capacity and achieving best value for the investments made of time and money. Whilst the usage of the facilities for hire remains robust, the continued cost rises in energy and support services has proved a challenge for the Trust to cope with necessitating price rises for the hire of rooms and the All Weather Pitch.

During the year, the Trust managed the complete refurbishment of the All Weather Pitch at a cost of £132,278. This major project has benefitted a substantial number of tennis, football and netball players from our local community.

The Trust aims to: maintain prudent control of its finances to ensure that it remains financially secure; maintain financial reserves that will meet Charity Commission guidelines; and to generate sufficient surplus funds to maintain the Centre's facilities to a high standard. The current financial environment is unpredictable and likely to result in a small operational deficit brought into balance by the Trust's reserves for the year 2025/26. The Trust remains in close contact and co-operates fully with the Local Authority and its published guidance for allowing outdoor and indoor activities. The Trust employees a full time Centre Manager, along with a part time Development Manager with a specific remit to review Trust policies, explore grant funding and generate income from events and varied activities. During the year the Trust also employed a young person for work experience on a term-time only contract.

On behalf of the Trust, the Board is very grateful to the many individuals and organisations that have contributed either with their time or money (or both) in the last year. Every contribution has been much appreciated.

Volunteers/Fundraising

The Trust is supported by the volunteer activities of its Trustees in roles beyond their Governance responsibilities, together with a wider network of volunteers who provide help in many ways. There has been a reliance upon a core group of 21 Volunteers (including 7 Trustees) on a regular basis, with other volunteers supporting one-off activities. Recruitment of new volunteers and Trustees continues to prove difficult as expectations change from offering community service to a desire to just "pay and play" with the work to keep the Centre going undertaken by "someone else". The Trust is extremely grateful to those people who provide their valuable commitment. The Trust's Fund Raising continues to be focused towards both grant and sponsorship applications for specific projects, together with a desire to restore its community-based Fund Raising events that will help grow its unrestricted reserves.

The Trust remains mindful of the competitive environment for securing grant funds with Trustees undertaking regular financial reviews at their meetings to ensure that the wide range of activities available at the Community Centre operate at least at balance or ideally at a sensible surplus to maintain future financial independence and viability.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Result

The reported net expenditure for 2024/2025 of £79,498 includes an amount of £132,278 expenditure for the major resurfacing of the All-Weather Pitch. The figure also includes a generous legacy donation of £50,000 to be used for future renovation costs of the All-Weather Pitch.

Excluding these items, the net income of £2,780 reflects the current challenging costs environment, balanced against the income from a solid base of regular users and groups. Taking account of the reserve funds established, and as recorded within Note 1 to the Accounts, the Trust had unrestricted cash reserves of £199,281 at 31st March 2025.

There were two members of staff (excluding the young person employed for work experience). Other services were delivered against consultancy or other contracts and paid following receipt of invoices. In all cases contracts and payments were agreed in advance by the Board of Trustees before delivery commenced. Both members of staff are eligible and are registered for the work-place pension. The Trust is registered for VAT.

The Trust benefits from its computerised systems allowing precise budgeting and financial planning that have proved invaluable during the year. Much of the systems and processes have been digitalised removing the need for paper records. The Trust has ensured that data back-up is secure with records also held remotely from the Centre as a part of the Trust's Disaster Recovery Plan. The Trust takes active steps to ensure that data is managed in accordance with GDPR statutory requirements and is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. The Trust is registered with PRS/PPL and holds a Music Licence on behalf of the Centre and its hirers.

The Trust continues to be grateful for the good working relationships developed with and support from its unitary local authority - the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Reserves

The Trustees regularly review the reserves of the Trust. The Trustees review the level required each financial year taking account of both increased costs and an unpredictable fund-raising environment. The operational reserve has decreased to £135,207. Careful management of overhead costs and spend results in the Trustees being able to confirm that level of reserves as being sufficient to provide an adequate financial cushion. Prudent costs management will aim to ensure that the necessary reserves position will be maintained during 2025/2026 and subsequent financial periods with further reviews by Trustees as may be required.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governance and internal control

The Trust, which is a registered Charity, is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. The liability of each Member under guarantee (who are also the Trustees/Directors) does not exceed the sum of £10. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Trustees receive no remuneration for their services. The Trustees who served during the year are as shown on page 1.

The Board of Trustees has met face-to-face as required by its Articles of Association and by other means as may be required. The Board is supported by Trustee-led Working Groups that have more detailed responsibility for the following matters: Operations, Premises Maintenance and Development; Marketing and Communications; Volunteer Management; Finance and Governance. The role and composition of the Working Groups is reviewed each year. The Board undertakes regular reviews to ensure that it remains an

effective Body that achieves an appropriate balance between operational and strategic involvement. It follows Charity Commission guidance in this matter.

The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. They include:

- A Business Plan and an annual Budget approved by the Trustees;

- Management accounts which show variance from budget and re-forecast anticipated results for the year,

which are reviewed by the Trustees;

- Delegation of authority and reasonable segregation of duties; and

- Appropriate controls over cash handling, card receipts and electonic banking systems.

Risk management

The Trustees actively review the major risks, which the Trust faces on a regular basis. Recognising its size and scope, the Trust has developed appropriate systems to monitor and control these risks and to mitigate any impact they may have on the Trust's future. All activities are risk assessed and the Trust engages with its Insurers to ensure that adequate assessment has been completed and appropriate cover is in place.

Approved by the Board of Trustees/Directors on 25 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Roger Burge - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Mudeford Wood Community Trust ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

Terence L Smith

Terence L Smith & Co

Chartered Accountants

38a Station Road

New Milton

Hampshire

BH25 6JX

25 November 2025

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

197

57,772

57,969

1,754

Other trading activities

3

3,837

-

3,837

564

Investment income

4

5,703

-

5,703

7,099

Letting income

130,565

-

130,565

119,802

Total

140,302

57,772

198,074

129,219

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Charitable Activities

260,886

16,686

277,572

132,032

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(120,584

)

41,086

(79,498

)

(2,813

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

319,865

134,660

454,525

457,338

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

199,281

175,746

375,027

454,525

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

9

22,314

124,301

146,615

162,013

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

10

17,548

-

17,548

13,743

Cash at bank and in hand

169,284

51,445

220,729

291,921

186,832

51,445

238,277

305,664

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

11

(9,865

)

-

(9,865

)

(13,152

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

176,967

51,445

228,412

292,512

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

199,281

175,746

375,027

454,525

NET ASSETS

199,281

175,746

375,027

454,525

FUNDS

12

Unrestricted funds

199,281

319,865

Restricted funds

175,746

134,660

TOTAL FUNDS

375,027

454,525

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 25 November 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Roger Burge - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

Grants and donations are accounted for as they are received. All other income including income tax recoverable on gift-aid donations is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

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.

Leasing

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the SOFA on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Tangible fixed assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £500.

Leasehold land & buildings are depreciated over the period of the lease, being 20 whole years from March 2018, and fixtures and fittings over 4 years; once they are put into operational use.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

The Trust's assets are held in two Funds for statutory accounting purposes - the Restricted Fund and the Unrestricted Fund.

The Restricted Fund stood at £175,746 at 31 March 2025 (2024: £134,660), comprising £124,301 fixed assets, £50,000 legacy donation for future renovation of the All-Weather Pitch and £1,445 of unspent grant funding.

The Unrestricted Fund stood at £199,281 at 31 March 2025 (2024: £319,865), comprising £22,314 Fixed Assets and £176,967 Net Current Assets. After setting aside from Net Current Assets £20,510 for future capital projects, and £21,250 for emergency capital maintenance, the remaining £135,207 constitutes the Trust's operational reserves.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

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.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

Donations

197

921

Legacies

50,000

-

Grants

7,772

833

57,969

1,754

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

2025

2024

£

Other grants

7,772

833

3.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Fundraising Income

3,837

-

Other income

-

564

3,837

564

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

Interest Received

5,703

7,099

5.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

Depreciation - owned assets

15,398

17,906

6.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

7.	STAFF COSTS

2025

2024

£

Wages and salaries

39,202

26,536

Other pension costs

747

387

39,949

26,923

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Administration

3

2

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

8.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

1,754

-

1,754

Other trading activities

564

-

564

Investment income

7,099

-

7,099

Letting income

119,802

-

119,802

Total

129,219

-

129,219

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Charitable Activities

121,673

10,359

132,032

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

7,546

(10,359

)

(2,813

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

312,319

145,019

457,338

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

319,865

134,660

454,525

9.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Freehold

and

Computer

property

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025

240,747

108,713

3,544

353,004

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2024

84,259

105,846

886

190,991

Charge for year

12,037

2,475

886

15,398

At 31 March 2025

96,296

108,321

1,772

206,389

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2025

144,451

392

1,772

146,615

At 31 March 2024

156,488

2,867

2,658

162,013

10.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade debtors

16,676

11,605

Other debtors

528

757

Prepayments

344

1,381

17,548

13,743

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade creditors

391

5,786

Social security and other taxes

496

463

VAT

4,780

4,095

Other creditors

302

123

Accrued expenses

3,896

2,685

9,865

13,152

12.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.24

in funds

31.3.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

319,865

(120,584

)

199,281

Restricted funds

134,660

41,086

175,746

TOTAL FUNDS

454,525

(79,498

)

375,027

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

140,302

(260,886

)

(120,584

)

Restricted funds

57,772

(16,686

)

41,086

TOTAL FUNDS

198,074

(277,572

)

(79,498

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.23

in funds

31.3.24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

312,319

7,546

319,865

Restricted funds

145,019

(10,359

)

134,660

TOTAL FUNDS

457,338

(2,813

)

454,525

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

129,219

(121,673

)

7,546

Restricted funds

-

(10,359

)

(10,359

)

TOTAL FUNDS

129,219

(132,032

)

(2,813

)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.23

in funds

31.3.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

312,319

(113,038

)

199,281

Restricted funds

145,019

30,727

175,746

TOTAL FUNDS

457,338

(82,311

)

375,027

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

269,521

(382,559

)

(113,038

)

Restricted funds

57,772

(27,045

)

30,727

TOTAL FUNDS

327,293

(409,604

)

(82,311

)

13.	CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

2025

2024

£

Contracted but not provided for in the financial statements

-

98,000

14.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.