Final Chair’s Report
Closure of Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited
As the last Chair of Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited, it is with both pride and great sadness that I present this final report marking the official closure of our charity. Over the last 40+ years, the organisation has worked tirelessly to support our mission and serve the community, making a positive impact and assisting countless residents of Stockport and further afield with accessible transport to enable them to access vital services such as health and education whilst also providing additional benefits to those that have used our services. An incredible amount has been achieved over the years and the organisation has adapted when the circumstance deemed it necessary, all made possible by the dedication & hard work of our drivers, passengers assistance, management, volunteers, supporters and also the trustees.
The decision to close has not been taken lightly. After thorough deliberation and consultation with trustees, staff, and stakeholders, it became clear that winding down operations was in the best interests of all concerned and in line with our legal and financial obligations. The primary factors leading to this decision include – The age of the vehicle fleet/costs, the cost to replace the vehicle fleet, increasing costs of running the service while available funding pots (from Local Authorities etc) have been decreasing for a number of years now as well as issues such as fewer number of drivers having automatic D1 entitlement on their driving licences. Our service operations ceased at the end of July 2025 while our wonderful management team of Sue, Carl and Lucy ensuring the office side of the organisation was wound down by the end of August 2025. Sue and Carl have continued to support the Trustees with the winding down process into 2026 along with assistance from Graham Tudhope. I would like to thank them for going above and beyond with this additional support.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to the organisation over the last 40+ years. To our volunteers, donors, partners, and staff – your generosity, hard work, and dedication have been the backbone of the organisation and the high level of service provided and let us not forget the lasting impact of our collective efforts have had on a great deal of people who have access our services over the years.
Remaining funds will be distributed in accordance with our charitable aims and regulatory requirements. We are confident that these resources will continue to benefit those in need, even as our doors close.
On behalf of the board, I wish everyone connected with Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited continued success in future endeavours and thank you for your support over the years.
J F Kenny
Chair, Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited
The trustees present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 August 2025.
Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited is a registered charity (No. 1142212) and a company (No. 03285361) limited by membership guarantee. Its registered office is shown on the legal and administrative information page; the charity's activities were previously reported under charity number 1013459.
The Trustees have made the decesion for the Charity to cease operating, this is disclosed further in the Chairman's report. The financial persiod was extended to 17 months to coincide with the completion of the outstanding contracts and for the staff redundancy process to be completed.
The Charity will complete a final set of financial statements that will cover a period that allows for all remaining assets to be recovered, liabilities settled and any remianing funds to be donated to a local charity with similar aims and objectives.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, set out on page 4, 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 2016).
The charity’s objects were to relieve hardship and promote social inclusion by providing accessible, affordable, and supported transport to individuals who were unable to use conventional passenger transport services due to:
Age
Sickness
Mental and/or physical disability
Poverty
Lack of availability of appropriate supported passenger services
Throughout its operation, Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited played a vital role in enabling vulnerable individuals to access education, healthcare, and essential community services, thereby reducing isolation, supporting independence, health and wellbeing.
Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited operated as a community transport provider serving Stockport and the surrounding areas. Its principal activities were carried out for the public benefit in accordance with its governing document.
The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited's activities were demonstrably carried out for the benefit of the public, particularly individuals with protected characteristics and those experiencing social and economic disadvantage. The transport services provided enabled access to education, medical treatment, and social care, delivering clear and measurable public benefit.
Until the loss of core local authority funding in 2022, Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited delivered a broad range of community transport services. Following the withdrawal of this funding, the charity faced significant and sustained financial challenges.
In response, services were progressively reduced in each subsequent financial year in an effort to remain viable. Despite these reductions, the charity continued to operate a limited number of reliable contracts, including:
Adult and Social Care transport services
Transport for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to and from school
NHS-supported patient transport, primarily for individuals requiring regular dialysis treatment
These services remained operational for as long as was financially feasible, reflecting the Trustees’ commitment to beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Applications for employment by disabled persons had always been fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. Had a member of staff become disabled, every effort would have made to ensure that their employment within the charity continued and that the appropriate training had been arranged. It was the policy of the charity that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.
During the period, the total incoming resources were £1,026,980 as compared to £738,319 in the previous period.
Total resources expended in the period were £1,078,164 as compared to £686,370 in the previous period.
The deficit for the period was £51,184 as compared to a surplus of £51,949 in the prior period.
It was the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees considered that reserves at this level would ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they would be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration was given to ways in which additional funds could be raised. This level of reserves had been maintained throughout the period and the Charity upon closure is in a position to pay all outstanding liabilities.
Unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use are adequately stated.
The Trustees faced an increasingly difficult operating environment, characterised by:
The permanent loss of local authority funding from 2022
Rising operational costs
An ageing fleet of vehicles requiring frequent and costly mechanical repairs
Limited opportunities to secure new sustainable contracts
Despite prudent financial management and service reductions, the financial position of Easy Go CT (Stockport) Limited became unsustainable. The Trustees concluded that the charity could no longer continue to operate without placing undue financial risk on creditors and staff.
As a result, Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited ceased trading at the end of July 2025.
Governing Document
The charity is governed by its constitution adopted 17 August 1988 and amended 7 October 1991 and 6 July 1992. This was superseded by the Memorandum and Articles dated 15 July 2011 and amended by a Special Resolution registered 27 September 2011.
Governing Bodies
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the period were:
Governance and management
The Trustees met regularly throughout this period and maintained active oversight of the Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited’s financial position, operational risks, and strategic options. They worked closely with the management team to explore all reasonable alternatives prior to the decision to cease trading.
The Trustees supported management in engaging openly and compassionately with staff, ensuring that appropriate processes were followed in relation to TUPE transfers or redundancies, in line with legal and ethical obligations.
Professional Support and Closure Process
To ensure the closure process was conducted responsibly and in accordance with best practice, the Board engaged Tsquared (UK) Ltd, Business Strategy Turnaround specialists, to provide professional advice and support throughout the wind-down period.
As part of the closure process, Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited’s vehicles were disposed of through auction, with proceeds applied in accordance with the charity’s obligations.
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities
The trustees, who are also the directors of Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare accounts 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 accounts, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the accounts 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 accounts 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.
Conclusion
The Trustees recognise with regret the closure of Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited, a charity that delivered significant social value over many years.
They wish to place on record their sincere thanks to the staff, volunteers, funders, commissioners, and partner organisations who supported the charity and the communities it served.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited (the charity) for the period ended 31 August 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I would like to draw your attention to note 1.2 in these financial statements together with the Chairman's and Trustees reports in relation to the declaratin from the Trustees that the Charity is ceasing to trade. They have gone through a redundancy proccess and post period end have sold the assets of the company. Any remaining cash assets with be donated to a local charity with similar objectives..
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales.The registered office is Alpha House, 4 Greek Street, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 8AB.The entity extended it's period end to 31 August 2025 as the company is winding up.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, set out on page 4, 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 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
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 accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The Trustees of the Charity have made the decesion to close the Charity. They have extended the period end to 31 August 2025, this period covers the end of services they were contracted to operate and the completion of the redundancy process. Post this period the entity will sell its assets, settle outstanding liabilities and donate any remaining funds to a local charity with similar aims and objectives.
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.
Grant and contract income income is recognised in accordance with the terms of those grants and contracts.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for services provided in the normal course of business.
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.
Resources expended are included in the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly whilst others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
(a) Motor vehicles are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided at 20% per annum on a straight line basis, in order to write off each asset over its useful life.
(b) Fixtures, fittings and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided at 10% per annum on a straight line basis, in order to write off each asset over its useful life.
(c) Computer equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided at 33% per annum on a straight line basis, in order to write off each asset over its useful life.
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.
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.
Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
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.
There were no critical accounting estimates and judgements.
Sale of goods
Motor expenses
Consultancy fees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.
Rent
Office expenses
Sundry
Insurance
Subscriptions
Staff training
Bank charges
Bad debts
Irrecoverable VAT
Refreshments and volunteer expenses
The average monthly number of employees during the period was:
Included in wages are redundancy costs totalling £122,391.
Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited is a registered charity, no provision is made for either current or deferred taxation.
During the period the charity ceased trading operations, fixed assets with a net book value totalling £22,878 were sold at auction for a consideration of £33,768.
On the 22nd October 2024, Easy Go Travel Service Limited was dissolved.
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.
During the period the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
During the year Easy-Go CT (Stockport) Limited paid Mr D Jackson £1,000 (2024 - £1,200) for website support. Mr D Jackson is the son of the general manager Mr C Schoolden.