| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| FOR |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
| UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| FOR |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC417268) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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). |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| The advancement of citizenship or community development. |
| Significant activities |
| 1. To provide transport services to groups most affected and disadvantaged living in a remote rural area i.e. the elderly and youths who cannot drive to visit friends and socialise. |
| 2. To improve the quality of life of our inhabitants of all abilities. |
| ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
| Charitable activities |
| During the last 12 months (March 2024 to April 2025) it has again been financially challenging. Highland Council agreed the funding for 2023 to 2024 of £23,500; this was as my previous report. |
| My last report indicated that inspection costs had increased for the Fiat minibus. It was agreed to dispose of this vehicle due to these high maintenance costs and the fact that passenger numbers had also decreased. |
| The use of the Toyota 8 seat people carrier has reduced our costs and would now be used for the Dingwall and Ullapool runs. |
| We sent out a questionnaire to the communities to see what they wanted as additional places to visit. The consensus was a trip to Tain. The first trip was well received but the following trips were poorly attended with only 1 or 2 passengers. |
| The very small numbers of passengers is believed to be down to the 6 days a week trip to Inverness run by the Durness Bus. |
| There were limited hires from both the Primary Schools and KLB High School. |
| As we only had an 8 seat vehicle we had to cancel all our registered routes, and we notified Highland Council. A meeting was held with their Community Transport officers and subsequently our funding was stopped at the beginning of April 2025. |
| Both the Chairman and Transport Coordinator decided to retire at the end of 2025 having served in post for 15 and 7 years respectively. |
| It was agreed to advertise for a new Chairperson and Coordinator through social media and posters in the village of Kinlochbervie with a closing date September 2025. |
| I wish to give a vote of thanks to our new Transport Coordinator, Joanne Barnes, for managing the office and ensuring the whole operation runs smoothly and to our regular volunteer drivers. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| The annual accounts to 31/03/2025 show a profit of £611 (2024: £5,753) for the year. |
| Unrestricted funds at 31/03/2025 are £105,943 (2024: £105,332). This puts the association in a strong position going forward and able to cope with the short term expenses and liabilities. |
| Reserves policy |
| All reserves are held in a deposit account for the purposes of replacing our transport needs when a vehicle becomes uneconomic to run. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| 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. |
| Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
| Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees is carried out by the committee of The North West Community Bus Association. |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC417268) |
| REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| Independent Examiner |
| MR CALUM STEWART |
| Goldwells Ltd |
| 10 Knockbreck Street |
| Tain |
| Ross-Shire |
| IV19 1BJ |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages four to ten. |
| Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner |
| The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
| Basis of the independent examiner's report |
| My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention : |
| (1) | which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements |
| - | to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and |
| - | to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations |
| have not been met; or |
| (2) | to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
| MR CALUM STEWART |
| The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
| Goldwells Ltd |
| 10 Knockbreck Street |
| Tain |
| Ross-Shire |
| IV19 1BJ |
| 11th December 2025 |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Charitable activities |
| Other trading activities | 2 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Other income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| Other |
| Total |
| NET INCOME |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 105,332 |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: SC417268) |
| BALANCE SHEET |
| 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 8 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Cash at bank and in hand |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 9 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 10 |
| Unrestricted funds | 105,332 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 105,332 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2025. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st 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 |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 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 |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
| 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. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Hire purchase and leasing commitments |
| Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. |
| 2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ |
| Fundraising events |
| Shop income |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ |
| Deposit account interest |
| 4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| Other operating leases | 2,200 | 2,200 |
| Surplus on disposal of fixed assets | ( |
) |
| 5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. |
| Trustees' expenses |
| There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. |
| 6. | STAFF COSTS |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| Administration |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | fund | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Charitable activities |
| Other trading activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| NET INCOME |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | fund | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 99,579 | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 105,332 | - | 105,332 |
| 8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Motor | Computer |
| vehicles | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1st April 2024 |
| Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31st March 2025 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1st April 2024 |
| Charge for year |
| Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 31st March 2025 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31st March 2025 |
| At 31st March 2024 |
| 9. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade creditors |
| Social security and other taxes | ( |
) |
| Accrued expenses |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 10. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net |
| movement | At |
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| Unrestricted | 105,332 | 611 | 105,943 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 611 | 105,943 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| Unrestricted | 23,357 | (22,746 | ) | 611 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 611 |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net |
| movement | At |
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| Unrestricted | 99,579 | 5,753 | 105,332 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 99,579 | 5,753 | 105,332 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| Unrestricted | 29,017 | (23,264 | ) | 5,753 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 29,017 | (23,264 | ) | 5,753 |
| NORTH WEST COMMUNITY BUS ASSOCIATION |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025 |
| 10. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| 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 |
| Unrestricted | 99,579 | 6,364 | 105,943 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 99,579 | 6,364 | 105,943 |
| 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 |
| Unrestricted | 52,374 | (46,010 | ) | 6,364 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 52,374 | (46,010 | ) | 6,364 |
| 11. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |