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 Memorandum and Articles of Association , the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).
Founded in 2001, North Lanarkshire Carers Together (NLCT) is a carer-led, rights-based charity working to improve the lives of unpaid carers in North Lanarkshire. Our organisation provides an independent and collective voice for carers, influencing how services are developed and delivered, and ensuring that carers are recognised as equal partners in care.
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend, or neighbour who due to illness, disability, mental health challenges, long-term condition, or addiction would otherwise be unable to live independently. Carers can be of any age, background, or circumstance, and their contribution is often unseen but absolutely vital. There are approximately 45,300 carers living in North Lanarkshire.
Our registration is open to all carers and former carers living in, or supporting someone within, North Lanarkshire—regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or political beliefs—as well as professionals and organisations with similar objectives.
In line with our charitable aims, our work is focused on:
Identifying carers, especially those not yet known to services
Amplifying carers' experiences, voices and concerns through representation and consultation
Delivering information, signposting and emotional support services
Influencing the planning, commissioning and delivery of local and national policy
Coordinating the local Carer Support Network and carer short breaks
Supporting early intervention through the delivery of a Whole Family Support Service
Promoting carer rights through sector-wide Carer Aware training and engagement with the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016
Identifying and Supporting Carers
We supported 951 individuals through direct engagement: 770 registered carers, 131 anonymous carers, and 50 professionals. 69% of those registered were new to our service, reflecting our expanding reach across all six localities. This includes 43 carers from ethnically diverse backgrounds, many of whom had not previously engaged with statutory services. Word-of-mouth and third sector partners continue to play a critical role in these connections.
Emotional Support, Information, Advice and Referral
Our Carer Information and Engagement Team provided ongoing emotional support to those 770 registered carers as well as 4,203 instances of signposting and support on their behalf. A further 453 pieces of information and signposting were delivered to anonymous carers and professionals. In addition, 565 formal referrals; most of which were related to carer support, financial aid, and social work, were also made by the staff team. Crucially, only 37 referrals were made to Access Social Work, showcasing the strength of community-based, early intervention responses that prevent crisis and emphasising that the investment made by commissioners is working.
Each carer contact lasted an average of 37 minutes, with staff offering emotional support, helping carers understand their rights, and providing personalised guidance. Carers consistently tell us that our approach makes them feel understood and respected.
Equalities and Inclusion
Our Equalities Worker engaged with carers from ethnic minority communities through targeted outreach and events and produced a new Ethnic Minority Information Booklet to improve access to relevant services across North Lanarkshire and Glasgow. We also contributed to several equality-focused networks and subgroups, ensuring our approach is intersectional and inclusive.
Carer Voice and Strategic Representation
NLCT continues to be a strategic partner in the planning and delivery of carer services locally. We support carer involvement in a range of planning groups, including the Integration Joint Board, Strategic Planning Group, and the Carers Oversight Group. Our leadership of the Carer Forum—now joined by 88 carer representatives—ensures that lived experience shapes local decision-making.
In 2024, we led the consultation process for the North Lanarkshire Carers Strategy 2024–2027, resulting in a commitment to form a Carer Sounding Board—ensuring carers continue to hold services to account and shape the delivery of the Strategy going forward.
Consultations and Campaigning
We facilitated meaningful involvement in a wide range of consultations, including:
NHS Lanarkshire Annual Review with Ministerial attendance
Evaluation of the £1,000 Hospital Discharge Payment Pilot
Digital falls prevention tools with the Digital Health & Care Institute
GIRFE (Getting it Right for Everyone) parent carer consultations
Equality impact assessments related to North Lanarkshire Council’s budget
Across these activities, we engaged over 200 carers directly in co-production and consultation processes.
Raising Awareness through Carer Aware Training
Our Carer Aware Programme delivered 32 sessions to 750 individuals, including frontline health and social care staff, NHS and GP staff, emergency services, students, and third sector partners. Sessions were also delivered to 54% of the Mental Health & Learning Disability workforce across NHS Lanarkshire to support the development of new Family and Carer Awareness Standards for Mental Health and Learning Disability services, meaning those caring for a person with learning disability, mental health challenges or mental illness will be acknowledged and have their rights upheld as equal partners in care. Training outcomes include:
Improved knowledge of carers’ rights and statutory duties
Earlier carer identification
Better support pathways across sectors
Establishment of 34 Carer Champions within NHS Lanarkshire
Carer Support Network and Short Breaks (Carer Breather)
We continue to lead the Carer Support Network, a cross-sector coalition of organisations working collaboratively to support carers and build community capacity. This includes delivery of the Carer Breather Programme, which in its second phase supported 2,656 individuals, with 637 carers reporting improved wellbeing and 509 feeling more able to have a life outside of caring.
Following carer-led consultation with 287 carers and CSN partners, a third phase of Carer Breather and a new Time for Me Fund have now launched—designed to remove persistent barriers to breaks and offer more flexible, localised support. This has been included in an award of a new contract by University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, entrusting us as custodians of funding for third sector partners and groups to deliver on both programmes of short breaks.
Whole Family Support Service – Neurodevelopmental Family Support (NDFS)
Our commissioned NDFS service supported 248 families with 246 children and young people receiving 1-to-1 support and 82 siblings also being supported. Key achievements include:
No referrals to crisis services such as CAMHS
278% increase in referrals from the Neurodevelopmental Service
Expansion into three new school clusters
Consistent improvement in parent confidence and child wellbeing
Importantly, no diagnosis is required to access this service—aligning with preventative, early intervention models and the principles of The Promise.
NLCT remains committed to its founding values of carer voice, rights, and recognition. Through powerful partnerships, strategic influence, and unwavering support to carers, we continue to ensure that unpaid carers in North Lanarkshire are not just supported—but empowered to thrive.
Per the Statement of Financial Activities, the charity reported Net Expenditure (i.e. a Deficit) of £14,190 for the year (2024 - Deficit £19,267) and total funds of £343,607 (2024 - £357,797) at 31 March 2025 of which £90,627 (26%) related to Restricted Funds.
The principal funding sources in the year are as shown in Note 4.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the charity to maintain Unrestricted Funds, i.e. Unrestricted Funds not committed or invested in fixed assets, at a level which equates to approximately six months of unrestricted expenditure. This allows sufficient funds to enable the ongoing work of the charity to be maintained. Unrestricted Funds per the General Fund at 31 March 2025 amounted to £240,771 (2024 - £280,037) which, although above the required level, was acceptable to the Directors.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
North Lanarkshire Carers Together ("the charitable company") is a company limited by guarantee (No SC284126) and a recognised Scottish Charity (No SC033795) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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:
Appointment and induction of Directors
At the Annual General Meeting, one third of the Directors who are subject to retire by rotation shall do so. If the charity is unable to fill the vacant position left by the retiring Director, that Director may be (if willing) deemed to be re-appointed unless at the meeting it is resolved not to fill the vacancy or if the resolution to appoint is not passed.
All the Directors serve on a voluntary basis. New Directors take part in an induction programme, which aims to familiarise them with the charity's values, aims and objectives together with its day-to-day operations, in addition to clarifying their statutory responsibilities as Directors of a company limited by guarantee and as Trustees of a charity.
Organisational structure
The trustees are responsible for the overall direction, the administration and financial affairs of the charity. The charity's operations have been led by Colin Smith (Manager) and supported by a Management Team of Carolanne Christie (Carer Information Lead), Sharron Farrell (Carer Engagement Lead) and Karen Letham (Family Support Lead).
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Robb Ferguson be reappointed as auditor of the charitable company will be put to the Annual General Meeting.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the Directors of North Lanarkshire Carers Together 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;
- 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 Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and 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.
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, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 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.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of North Lanarkshire Carers Together (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company 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 the provisions available for small entities 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 trustees' 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 charitable 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees.
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees 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 charitable company'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 a Report of the Independent Auditors 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.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
The engagement partner ensured that The engagement team collectively had The appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with directors and other management, and from our wider knowledge and experience;
We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and Financial Reporting Standard 102 Statement of Recommended Practice.
We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
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 Report of the Independent Auditors.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006, and to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members and the directors those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' 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 charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of 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.
The notes on pages 14 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 14 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
North Lanarkshire Carers Together is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office and principal place of business is 49 Dinmont Crescent, Motherwell, ML1 3TT.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 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 are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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.
Income from Charitable activities
Income from charitable activities includes income earned both from the supply of goods and services under contractual arrangements and from performance-related grants which have conditions that specify the provision of particular goods or services to be provided by the charity. Income from charitable activities is recognised as earned (as in related goods or services are provided).
Grants receivable
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' or 'revenue' in nature, are recognised when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, the amount can be measured reliably. Unconditional entitlement will be achieved once any performance or other conditions attached to the grants have been met, or fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity.
Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Investment income
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
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 settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.
Liabilities are measured on recognition at historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. The exception is that certain financial instruments must be adjusted to their present value; these include financial liabilities where settlement is deferred for more than 12 months after the reporting date.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings.
Charitable activities
Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. The costs of charitable activities presented in the Statement of Financial Activities includes the costs of both direct service provision and the payments of grant awards if applicable.
Governance costs
Governance costs (which are included as a component of support costs in accordance with SORP) comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include those related to constitutional and statutory requirements, external scrutiny (audit and independent examination), strategic management, and other legal and professional fees.
Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
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.
Financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturity dates that the charity has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity investments.
Held to maturity investments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less any impairment, with revenue recognised on an effective yield basis.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating the interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.
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.
The charity is recognised as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs and is not liable for corporation tax on any surplus made on its charitable activities. No provision for corporation tax is made in the accounts.
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.
The charity participates in a defined benefit scheme and a defined contribution scheme. Pension costs included in Staff costs as per Notes 6 and 8 represent the contributions by the charity during the year. See also Note 11.
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.
Income from charitable activities
No Directors nor any persons connected with them received remuneration.
During the year ended 31 March 2025, Elizabeth Seaton BEM and Ann Muir MBE were reimbursed expenses of £24 and £139 respectively. See also Note 23.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel during the year, including wages and salaries and employer's contributions to national insurance and pensions, was £165,328 (2024 - £99,329).
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The charity operates a defined benefit scheme as an admitted body under the Strathclyde Pension Fund, the assets of which are held in a separate Trustee administered Fund. The Fund is a multi-employer scheme. The contributions are determined by a qualified actuary on the basis of triennial valuations using the projected unit basis. The last full formal triennial valuation was at 31 March 2023, the results of which are summarised below.
At 31 March 2025, there was 1 active member of the Scheme employed by the charity. Employer contribution rates for the year ended 31 March 2025 were 19.3% (2024 - 19.3%). During the year ended 31 March 2025, the charity made contributions of £1,511 (2024 - £6,623).
The administering authority has responsibility for the management of the Fund. As most of the Fund's investments are equity based, there is an inherent risk of volatility in the investment market having a significant effect on the value of the fund's assets. In order to mitigate this risk, the Fund holds a diverse investment portfolio with a range of investment managers. The results of the last full formal triennial actuarial valuation at 31 March 2023 are summarised below:
PAST SERVICE POSITION
Past Service Liabilities (total) £446,000
Market Value of Assets £714,000
Surplus / (Deficit) £268,000
Funding Level 160%
CONTRIBUTION RATES
Common contribution rate 5.5%
FINANCIAL ASSUMPTIONS
The financial assumptions underlying the 2023 valuation were as follows:
Rate of salary increases 3.4%pa
Rate of pension increases 2.7%pa
Rate of price inflation 2.7%pa
The assumptions applied in the valuation which have the most significant effect on the results of the valuation are those relating to the rate of return on investments and the rate of increase in salaries.
In respect of the 2023 Formal Funding Valuation, the charity received its Individual Employer Result which showed at 31 March 2023 a surplus on an ongoing funding basis of £268,000 (2020: £26,000) (representing a funding level of 160% (2020 :105%)) and a surplus on a cessation basis at the same date of £136,000 (2020: deficit £200,000) (representing a funding level of 124%).
The Directors of the charity have not instructed a valuation of the share of the underlying assets and liabilities belonging to North Lanarkshire Carers Together at 31 March 2025 as, in their opinion, the expense involved in obtaining the information to enable the disclosures and accounting input to be made as required by the Financial Reporting Standard 102 cannot be justified.
In the absence of a valuation:
(1) The charge in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2025 represents the employer contribution payable;
(2) No pension asset/liability has been incorporated within the Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025.
The next actuarial valuation will be carried out as at 31 March 2026.
During the year ended 31 March 2025, the charity also made employer contributions totalling £25,410 (2024 - £22,551) for twelve employees into a qualifying workplace pension scheme administered by Royal London.
Represents funding towards the provision of a family support service.
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.
Purposes of restricted funds
Independent Support Fund
Represents grant funding from NLC to finance the provision of appropriate independent consultancy support including external support for the Manager.
Carers Development Fund
Represents funding received from Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) to undertake the Carer Support thematic element of the Community Solutions as part of Health and Social Care Integration. During the year ended 31 March 2025, £3,357 was transferred to the General Fund (Unrestricted) representing a management fee.
Digital Inclusion Fund
Represents grant funding received from Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) to develop the Digital Inclusion thematic programme of work for citizens and their carers within the Motherwell locality.
IT Project Fund
Represents grant funding from NLC for IT support including the development of a bespoke database. The fund was expended at 31 March 2024.
BAME Information Fund
Represents grant funding from Motherwell Consortium to support local pilot to engage with carers from minority ethnic communities and ensure provision of information on their rights as embedded within the Carers (Scotland) Act, 2016 is accessible.
Carers Act Implementation Fund
Represents grant funding from Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire to support the implementation of the Carers Act with regards to developing and distributing information to ensure that carers are aware of their rights. Funding includes support for staffing and resource costs. The fund was expended at 31 March 2024.
NLC Neuro Developmental Fund/ NLC Neuro Service Fund
Represents grant funding from Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and North Lanarkshire Council to finance employment and other costs relating to the Neurodevelopmental Link Worker Project. During the year ended 31 March 2025, £2.263 was transferred to the Designated assets Fund (Unrestricted) representing fixed asset purchases.
Carers Capacity Fund
Represents grant funding from Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to finance tech and make services provided mobile and accessible. The Fund was expended at 31 March 2024.
Carers Health & Wellbeing Fund
Represents grant funding from Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) to provide health and wellbeing sessions for carers. The Fund was expended at 31 March 2024.
Carer Time Away from the Routine Fund
Represents custodian grant funding from the University Health & Social Care Contract to provide short break support to unpaid carers and young carers. Transfer in the year of £44,780 from the Unrestricted General Fund to cover the deficit on the fund.
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Directors for specific purposes:
These are the designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes:
Purposes of Designated Funds
Designated Assets Fund
Represents the net book value of the charity's assets, distinguishing their value from unrestricted general funds immediately available for use.
During the year ended 31 March 2025, the Fund received transfers of £2,263 from the NLC - Neuro Developmental Service Funding (Restricted) to finance additions to fixed assets.
New Initiatives Fund
The New Initiatives Fund was created during the year ended 31 March 2009 on the Directors' designation of a £6,418 donation received by the charity following the dissolution of the Motherwell Guild of Help. The Fund is used to support new initiatives that will benefit carers in the North Lanarkshire area.
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:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
The charity had no material debt during the year.