Charity Registration No. 1122082
Company Registration No. 06166961 (England and Wales)
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr T J Howell
Mr A White
Mrs D Whitney (Senior Independent Director)
Mrs C Gibbons (Chair)
Ms Y L Rees (Vice Chair from 22 July 2025)
(Appointed 15 April 2025)
Mr L Davies
(Appointed 2 June 2025)
Mr J R Graddon
Mrs B Banton
Miss S Curgenven
Dr A Glynn
(Appointed 23 September 2025)
Secretary
Ms M Pollakova
Charity number
1122082
Company number
06166961
Principal address and
Unit 33,
registered office
Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square
University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9SB
Auditor
Sumer Audit
Amelia House
Crescent Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1RL
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC
Floor 27
1 Churchill Place
London
E14 5HP
Solicitors
Knights
The Courtyard
River Way
Uckfield
East Sussex
TN22 1SL
Human Resources
Lanes Employment Solution Specialists Ltd
Unit 24 Regents Pavillion
4 Summerhouse Road
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6BJ
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 11
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
12
Independent auditor's report
13 - 15
Statement of financial activities
16
Balance sheet
17
Statement of cash flows
18
Notes to the financial statements
19 - 33
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.

The Accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Trust's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

For accounting periods commencing on or after 1 April 2008, there is also a requirement for the Trust to report on how it satisfies the Public Benefit test introduced by the Charities Act 2006. The Trust can report as follows:

a) The report of those activities undertaken by the Trust to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit can be found in this report under the headings 'Objectives and Activities’ and 'Achievements and Performance'.

b) Accordingly, the trustees hereby state that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Taken together with the accounts, the Report seeks to offer a fair and balanced picture of what the Trust has achieved (outcomes) through its strategy and the difference it has made (its impact) across the County during 2025-26. Finally, it provides an overview of its structure, governance and management, any professional services procured by the Trust, as well as its plans for the future.

1 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The purpose of the Trust (hereinafter referred to as 'Active Sussex'), as set out in its governing document, is ‘to promote increased community participation in sport and active recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of Sussex.’

Active Sussex is part of the National Active Partnership Network, and works with stakeholders across the county to build strong relationships. Together, our goal is to address inequality and empower everyone to be active in a way that works for them.

Our Vision

Movement and physical activity is enhancing the health and wellbeing of everyone across Sussex.

Our Aim

We aim to address inequality and empower everyone to be active in a way that works for them.

Our Mission

• We will listen to communities and lived experiences to get people moving.

• We will unite and empower partners to focus resources that enable people to get moving.

• We will do this through responsive and representative leadership.

We look to encourage everyone to be active and stay active in a way that suits them, but we understand certain groups of people face barriers to exercise. Therefore to make the most impact we focus on the following groups of people to tackle inactivity across Sussex:

- children and young people

- disabled people and people living with a long term health conditions

- older people

- people from different cultural backgrounds and communities

We do this through the lens of equality, diversity and inclusion, which is front and centre of our refreshed Active Sussex Strategy 2023-28, and this continues to inform all our work.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 2 -

The Active Sussex Strategy 2023-28 has three main objectives, through which it seeks to achieve its aims:

1. Building Relationships. We will work with partners to collectively address barriers to physical activity.

2. Projects and Resources. We will invest resources into projects which target inactive audiences.

3. Responsive and Representative Leadership We will be committed to being a representative organisation which listens to diverse lived experiences to inform decision-making.

Within the context above, we are pleased to report on some of the achievements in the following section.

2 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

2.1 Physical Activity Participation in Sussex – Active Lives Survey Insights

The Active Lives Survey is conducted by Sport England. It serves as the national benchmark for sport and physical activity participation, aligning with priorities set out in their ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy. Headline findings for Sussex from the survey results published in 2025 include:

- 21.1% of adults in Sussex are inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of exercise per week. This is a 4% lower inactivity rate than the national average (25.1%).

- Brighton & Hove continues to have the smallest inactive population, followed by West Sussex and then East Sussex.

- Children’s activity levels in Sussex have reached their highest recorded level, with 52% now active, compared to 49% nationally.

Active Sussex focuses on populations and places with the highest levels of inactivity to support increased activity levels where they are needed most.

2.2 Place-Based Working

Creating the conditions for change in Sussex that enables people to be physically active and move more.

Place Expansion in Hastings

During 2025/26, Active Sussex convened key strategic partners, including Hastings Borough Council, the NHS, public health, police and the voluntary sector, to shape a place‑based, whole‑system approach to tackling inactivity and inequalities in Hastings. This collaborative work secured a Sport England Place Expansion Development Award of £347,200 in December 2025, to support the development of a full application and establish the foundations for long‑term system change in the area.

Place Universal Offer

During 2025/26, a Sport England Place Universal Offer (PUO) funding application was successfully submitted, laying the foundations for delivery from 2026/27 onwards. The PUO marks a significant opportunity for Active Sussex, with a shift in focus from population audiences to long‑term place‑based approaches that create the conditions for sustained change.

A total of £796,008 has been awarded through the PUO application (£622,080 confirmed, with £173,928 in principle for 2027–28), and preparations for implementation are underway, including recruitment to three new roles for 2026–27.

2.3 Children and Young People

Facilitating innovative ways that enable children and young people to be active.

Sussex School Games
In 2025/26, the Sussex School Games delivered targeted events for less active and underrepresented young people. Working with School Games Organisers and partner organisations, sixteen Roadshow and Festival projects were delivered, these included those with special educational needs, young carers and those from low income backgrounds.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 3 -

The Sussex Parallel Youth Games again formed a key part of the programme, welcoming 400 children from 18 schools to a high‑quality, inclusive sporting event for young people.Two new events in Chichester and Crawley have been subsequently created to expand opportunities for children with disabilities.

Play Their Way Pilot

The Sussex Play Their Way Pilot supported thirty coaches to evolve their ‘child first approach’ that enables children and young people a choice, a voice and to take ownership of their development journey. Development opportunities included training, sharing sessions and meetings.

Children and Young People (CYP) Coordinators

Active Sussex funded four CYP Coordinators in targeted areas across the county to build upon activity developed through initiatives such as Opening School Facilities and the Children & Young People Fund. Their work centres on reducing inequalities, co‑designing provision, developing young leaders, strengthening school community links, and aligning activity with wider initiatives including the Sussex School Games and Play Their Way.

This place‑based model has delivered positive results, supporting engagement from underrepresented groups and creating opportunities that extend beyond initial programme delivery. Examples of local impact include Brighton (72 participants), Eastbourne (50 SEND participants), Crawley (23 sixth‑form leaders), and Hastings & Rother (198 participants).

Supporting Schools through PE, Sport and Physical Activity

Active Sussex continues to support primary, secondary, and special schools across the county by placing physical education (PE), school sport, and physical activity at the core of school life. This is achieved through direct engagement with School Leaders and PE Subject Leaders, as well as through collaborative work with a wide network of partners.

In 2025/26, schools accessed a broad range of training and support. 67 delegates attended the School CPD Day focused on inclusive PE for young people with SEND, while two governor workshops engaged 25 governors on effective use of the Primary PE and Sport Premium. Two new active school webinars reached 40 staff, and eight locality workshops supported PE Leads. Over 90 delegates attended the West Sussex PE Conference, where Active Sussex delivered two workshops. Eight schools received targeted support through the Creating Active Schools programme, and 50 staff took part in a new physical literacy workshop.

Coach Core Sussex: Empowering Young People Through Apprenticeships in Sport
Active Sussex continued its partnership with Coach Core to deliver an inclusive sports coaching apprenticeship programme across Sussex. The programme supports young people aged 16–24 who may face barriers to employment or limited access to opportunities, developing both coaching expertise and wider employability skills. In 2025/26, five employers hosted apprentices, with one apprentice shortlisted for National Apprentice of the Year. A new cohort, offering six employer apprenticeship places, will launch in Summer 2026.

2.4 Disabled People and those living with Long Term Health Conditions

Increasing the opportunity for people living with long term health conditions and/or disabilities to take part in physical activity to meet their needs.

Stroke Reconditioning Project

The Active Sussex Stronger for Life Reconditioning Project has grown from a successful local pilot into an innovative countywide rehabilitation programme, demonstrating how physical activity, partnership working and technology can improve patient outcomes in hospital settings. Building on phase one, the project expanded across three NHS Trusts, introducing digitally live-streamed exercise sessions that enabled patients in eight hospital sites to participate simultaneously in guided rehabilitation from their wards. Additional funding was secured from East Sussex Adult Social Care to support continued delivery. The project’s pioneering approach was recognised nationally, winning the 2025 ‘Community Hospitals Association Innovation and Best Practice Award’ for its collaborative, system‑wide model of rehabilitation.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 4 -

Strengthening Strategic Relationships in Brighton & Hove

Active Sussex has continued to play a significant leadership and convening role within the Brighton & Hove ‘Let’s Get Moving’ Strategy partnership, helping shift the work from early partnership development into more coordinated system delivery. As chair of the wider strategy group working group, Active Sussex has strengthened collaboration across public health, healthcare, local authority services, voluntary and leisure providers. Over the past year, the focus has increasingly moved towards embedding physical activity within prevention pathways, healthy ageing and wider health and wellbeing priorities across the city.

A key area of progress has been strengthening shared learning and strategic influence. Active Sussex has shaped agendas and informed local delivery by bringing evidence, insight and examples of effective practice from across Sussex and nationally. This has supported innovation, reduced duplication and ensured alignment with wider system priorities. Active Sussex has also continued to chair the Active Ageing Alliance, ensuring older adults’ needs remain central to delivery planning.

Helping People Become Active Workshop
Active Sussex advanced the ‘Helping People Become More Active’ training programme through delivery of an innovative train-the-trainer model as part of the nationally accredited Active Medicine Programme. An online workshop engaged 19 professionals from across Sussex’s health and social care system, strengthening their confidence and capability to embed physical activity into everyday conversations. Nine trained staff are now delivering the workshop locally, and Active Sussex also delivered training to seven BUPA apprentices working in Sussex care homes.

2.5 Diversity and Inclusion

Address barriers to physical activity for marginalised people to make sure everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of background, and can find ways to make physical activity more affordable and accessible.

Strengthening Safeguarding and Welfare in Sport and Physical Activity
Active Sussex remains committed to supporting clubs and organisations to strengthen welfare and safeguarding practice, led by two Sport Welfare Officers working closely with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and safeguarding partners. Engagement has continued to grow, with 176 clubs now connected to the Sport Welfare programme, including 96 new clubs this year. The officers delivered 161 individual engagements through learning events, one‑to‑one support and signposting. They have also strengthened collaboration with NGBs at national, regional and county levels.

This year saw the re‑establishment of the Sussex Safeguarding in Sport Forum, bringing partners together across three meetings for shared learning, with contributions from the NSPCC and Ann Craft Trust. Eight learning opportunities were delivered to 106 participants, covering topics such as lower‑level concerns, inclusive practice, neurodiversity, adult safeguarding and keeping children safe in sport. Active Sussex has also strengthened links with Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) teams and local authority networks, further supporting alignment across the wider safeguarding system.

Workforce Development

Active Sussex enhanced its workforce development offer by becoming a UK Coaching Licensed Workshop Partner in July 2025, enabling discounted UK Coaching and Buddle workshops to be delivered locally through in‑house tutors. During the year, workshops engaged 29 participants, and a Sport Welfare Officer completed UK Coaching onboarding to support future delivery. The East Sussex Workforce Project brought together Public Health and local authority partners to address capacity and skills gaps, which had shaped a workforce programme for 2026/27.

This Girl Can

Active Sussex has championed ‘This Girl Can’ (TGC) as a strategic campaign for gender equality and system change across Sussex and beyond. The updated TGC ‘Be Inspired Event Blueprint’, shaped through youth voice and co‑design, demonstrated how listening to girls and young women leads to more relevant opportunities that support increased participation. To mark the campaign’s 10 year milestone, a coordinated programme, including the Decade of Empowerment in Sussex celebration at the Sussex Sports and Physical Activity Awards, brought partners together to reflect on progress and reaffirm their commitment to long‑term change.

Multi-Sport Facilities

Active Sussex has strengthened regional coordination for multi‑sport facility development, supporting Active Partnerships to align investment with local priorities and tackle inequalities. Working with Sport England, the Football Foundation and national governing bodies, the focus has been on maximising opportunities for quality, community‑led spaces. This year, the Multi‑Sport Fund has helped secure investment across the South-East, enabling projects that activate underused facilities and expand access to a wider range of sports for the places that need them most.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 5 -

2.6 Older People

Increasing the potential for older people to live a healthier and active life.

Strengthening Health and Wellbeing Across East Sussex
Active Sussex has evolved its role within the East Sussex health and care system, moving from partnership building to embedding physical activity within shared priorities, decision‑making and service design. Collaboration with East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care & Health has strengthened alignment around improving physical wellbeing and joint problem solving. Delivery against the ‘What Matters To You’ strategy continued, with Stronger for Life sessions improving strength, balance and conditioning for older adults across community and care settings. This collaborative approach will continue in 2026/27 through the Stronger for Life Reconditioning and Care Home projects.

2.7 Events

Raising the profile of sport, physical activity and movement through events and networks.

Active Sussex Conference 2025

The Active Sussex Conference 2025 took place on 23 September, bringing together a wide range of organisations involved in the strategic planning and delivery of sport and physical activity across the county. The event welcomed 100 attendees, including representatives from local authorities, leisure trusts, national governing bodies of sport, health agencies, educational institutions, community groups, and coaching organisations

Sussex Sport & Physical Activity Awards 2025
The Sussex Sport & Physical Activity Awards, hosted by Active Sussex on 27 November, provided a valuable opportunity to showcase, recognise and celebrate the outstanding work taking place across the sport and physical activity sectors. More than 120 guests joined the celebration, with ten award categories presented by high‑profile guest speakers.

The awards highlighted a wide range of achievements, from sporting excellence and community impact to environmental sustainability. Through a continued partnership with BBC Radio Sussex, the stories of finalists and winners were shared widely across the county, helping to elevate the profile and prestige of the occasion.

Active Sussex Coffee Morning 2026
The Active Sussex Coffee Morning, held on 24 March 2026, provided an informal yet valuable opportunity for 60 partners and staff to come together, reconnect with familiar faces, and forge new relationships. Designed as simple, relaxed networking, the event provided attendees the space to engage in conversation without a formal agenda.

2.8 Governance

To be recognised and respected as a thought-leading, and well-run organisation in which investors have confidence.

Equality

Champion an inclusive culture and advocate equal access to physical activity opportunities.

Active Sussex continues to champion an inclusive culture and advocate for equitable access to physical activity. Over the past year, equality, diversity and inclusion has become further embedded across governance and day‑to‑day practice. This included a review of the Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan, resulting in a refreshed and more focused approach.

Active Sussex delivered nine Time to Talk sessions and facilitated Community of Learning forums for partners. These helped to build shared understanding and more inclusive practice across the network. Inclusive approaches are now increasingly integrated across wider systems, including health, education and safeguarding, with decisions informed by both data and lived experience. Active Sussex also continued to contribute to national networks, sharing insight and supporting wider system change.

Safeguarding & Welfare

Advocate the right for everyone to enjoy sport and physical activity in a safe and welcoming environment.

Active Sussex progressed its Safeguarding Implementation Plan and Adult Safeguarding Action Plan to ensure it met its safeguarding responsibilities. The annual CPSU Safeguarding Review evidenced that Active Sussex continues to meet the expected framework requirements for children. Activity also progressed against the Ann Craft Trust Adult Safeguarding Framework, ensuring adult safeguarding standards remained embedded across the team and wider workforce.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 6 -

Environmental Social Governance (ESG)

Ensure the impact on stakeholders, wider society and the environment is factored into the decision making process.

Following the release of Sport England’s ‘Every Move’ strategy, Active Sussex created an environmental sustainability action plan dedicated to this area of work. The action plan, known as Healthy Environments, focuses on tackling greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a circular economy, increasing biodiversity and ensuring a just transition.

Over the past year, Active Sussex has strengthened its environmental sustainability work through a mentorship with the Head of Sustainability at London Marathon Events. Active Sussex also joined the East Sussex Countryside Access Forum and the Sussex Innovation Centre’s Green Network, introduced regular staff nature walks, embedded more sustainable day‑to‑day practices, and made environmental sustainability a standing item across key events.

3 FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities shows funds brought forward of £574,182 and income received for the 2025/26 financial year of £1,117,060 (2025 - £870,145). The amount of total funds the charity holds at the end of the reporting period to 31 March 2026 was £844,084. The total expenditure was £847,158 (2025 - £929,331), giving a net incoming funds movement of £269,902 for the year ending 31 March 2026 (2025 - Net outgoing funds of £59,186). Designated funds as at 31 March 2026 are £58,240 (2025 - £59,657); refer to note 17 in the accounts for further detail

3.1 Reserves Policy

Active Sussex’s reserves protocols ensure that sufficient unrestricted funds are held to cover a minimum of 4 months of expenditure on employment and running costs and 100% end of contract costs (in the event of any significant delays or cessation of external core funding). The fund required to cover these costs is £243,859, at 31 March 2026 the fund stood at £252,779, including the designated funds for end of contract costs. This is consistent with the reserves policy.

3.2 Principal Funding Sources

Active Sussex’s principal funding stream continues to come from Sport England. Of the £1,117,060 income received, 91.6% of this (£1,023,515) came from Sport England (2025 - 88.1%, £766,327). The remaining income has been generated from:

1. East Sussex Public Health

2. UK Coaching (Play their Way Pilot)

3. Coach Core

4. Event ticket sales

5. Primary PE courses fees

6. Bank interest

98.8% (2025 - 98.1%) of income is restricted and is therefore spent on the specific sport and physical activity outcomes detailed as per conditions of the funding award. More importantly, the expenditure has directly supported the key objectives of the charity.

3.3 Staff Remuneration
All staff pay is reviewed annually by the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee, and pay increments are subject to completion of an annual staff appraisal. Cost of living rises are awarded after consideration of CPI and affordability. For 2026-27, a 3% pay increase was awarded and during the year staff remuneration totalled £606,231 (2025 - £600,300) (see note 11 to the accounts).

3.4 Related Parties

No trustee received any remuneration during the year. No trustee had an interest in companies that Active Sussex works with or is funded by.

3.5 Risk Management

Active Sussex maintains a comprehensive risk register which identifies the principal risks, together with the steps taken to mitigate them. The risk register is overseen by the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee, with the Board kept informed of any significant or emerging risks. The Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) are responsible for reviewing the significant operational and strategic risks on a regular basis, and ensuring the appropriate internal controls and action are in place to mitigate them. The trustees consider the principal risks and uncertainties of Active Sussex in the following areas.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 7 -

Business Continuity

During the year, Active Sussex strengthened its business continuity arrangements in relation to staffing, ensuring resilience in the event of the loss of key personnel, expertise or experience. Additional operational cover for payment procedures, banking and Charity Commission reporting are now in place, reducing operational risk and improving organisational readiness.

Economic Risks

Active Sussex’s principal funding stream continues to come from Sport England, with the current award ending in March 2027. Whilst the onward award for this principal funding stream indicates the continuation of funds post 2026/27, the Board deem it sensible to maintain a sufficient level of reserves to mitigate the risk of a reduction of investment from its main funding body. The charity therefore holds reserves equivalent to four months of operating expenditure to provide for end-of-business closure and end of contract commitments to mitigate the impact of any significant changes to future funding arrangements.

Political and System Change

External political and system level changes continue to present uncertainty, including shifts in national policy, evolving approaches to school sport and health, and emerging local government reorganisation across the county. Active Sussex is attempting to mitigate these risks through strengthened place‑based working, strategic engagement with partners, and the development of new leadership roles to support system wide collaboration. This approach ensures the charity remains well positioned to respond to changes in the national and local landscape while maintaining focus on tackling inactivity and inequalities.

Reputational Risks

Active Sussex has a comprehensive set of policies and procedures which are regularly reviewed. Contracts are in place with external contractors. The delegation of authority is also reviewed annually.

Safeguarding

Active Sussex has a responsibility to ensure safeguarding processes are reviewed regularly for their compliance against the CPSU and Ann Craft Trust Safeguarding Frameworks. The Chief Executive reports to the Board on compliance each quarter.

4 FUTURE PLANS

In 2026/27, Active Sussex will continue to prioritise the most inactive populations, collaborating with partners to remove barriers and reduce inequalities. The shift to place‑based working will strengthen this focus, directing resources and support to the places where inactivity is most concentrated.

Strategic Priorities 2026/27

1. Place - Creating the conditions for change in Sussex that enables people to be physically active and move more.

2. System - Ensuring sport, physical activity and movement is playing a role in achieving greater health outcomes.

3. Delivery - Putting sport, physical activity and movement at the heart of a childs whole day.

4. Insight and Communication - Raising the profile of sport, physical activity and movement through training, events, networks and campaigns.

These priorities are supported by the implementation of the following plans and frameworks:

- Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP)

- Safeguarding Frameworks (Adult & Children)

- Environmental Sustainability Plan

- People Plan

- Communications Framework

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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Structure, governance and management

Active Sussex is a charitable company limited by guarantee (limited company number 06166961 and Charity registration number 1122082). The Memorandum of Association outlines the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under these articles.

The charitable objects are to promote increased community participation in sport and active recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of Sussex and in particular to provide, or to assist in providing, and to promote:

- strategic planning and coordination within and between local organisations or community sport networks, including the knowledge and skills in the management and project planning of sport and active recreation;

- the marketing and communication of sport and active recreation information and opportunities;

- the benefits and outcomes of investment in sports and active recreation through robust performance measurement systems;

- the support of organisations and local communities in helping people start, stay and succeed in sport and active recreation to whatever level they choose;

- the awareness of community sports organisations of financial and other resources which are open to them;

- the education and development of all people, both voluntary or professional, involved in the community sport infrastructure;

- the improvement and preservation of good health and well-being through participation in sport and active recreation; and

- the advancement of such other charitable purposes beneficial to the community consistent with the objects set out in articles 5(1) to (7) to above as the directors of the charity shall in their absolute discretion determine.

Active Sussex is compliant with the Sport England Code for Sports Governance and the Charity Commission Code of Governance. A comprehensive governance review was completed in 2025/26 to ensure the governance framework is fit for purpose. All the governance policies were renewed to be compliant with the codes. The Governance committee structure was also reviewed and changed to reflect current requirements. The Board agenda has been refreshed to focus more on strategy and assurance. An external Board evaluation was undertaken in May 2026.

The Board is accountable to the Charity Commission. The matters reserved for the Board include the approval of the strategy, the budget and annual report and accounts. The Board holds the Chief Executive to account for the delivery of the strategy. The Board also retains oversight of the management controls and corporate governance along with the recruitment of trustees and the appointment of Chief Executive. Active Sussex Board has delegated authority to the Chief Executive who leads the Senior Leadership Team for delivery of the strategy and the operation of the charity. The senior leadership team consists of Mr A Statham (Chief Executive), Mrs G Finlay-Gray, Mr R Joannides and Mr A Wright.

Patrons

The charity introduced a patron policy during 2025/26. The role of the patrons is to support the mission and values of the charity. They lend their name, credibility and influence to help raise awareness and further the charity’s objectives. The two patrons appointed in 2025/26 are:

- Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health, East Sussex County Council

- Professor Rob Galloway, A&E Consultant and match day medical lead at Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

5.2 Membership
The trustees are members of the company limited by guarantee and their liability is limited to £1.

Historically, the legal membership of Active Sussex was made up of Local Authorities within the Sussex area which had traditionally provided the base organisational funding for Active Sussex. However, over the years our financial model gradually changed, and Active Sussex now receives its core funding from Sport England. Therefore, during the year we asked all the Local Authority Members to resign so that we could modify our legal membership structure to ‘trustees’ (i.e. that the trustee directors are also members). This is for the following reasons:

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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- It brings Active Sussex in line with other charities.

- It facilitates different and more effective ways of engaging with local authorities.

- It will ‘future proof’ the charity against changes that might take place with local government reorganisation. In line with our Articles of Association (see Article 13(1)), ‘if a local authority ceases to exist as an organisation, then they will automatically cease to be a member’.

- It resolves the issue of falling short of the quorum required for the AGM. One of the causative factors was the charity keeping track of the change of personnel who are named as representatives by their local authorities.

The new legal membership model was adopted by a special resolution dated 24 March 2026.

The current members are:

1. Mrs B Banton

2. Miss S Curgenven

3. Mr L Davies

4. Mrs C Gibbons MBE

5. Dr A Glynn

6. Mr J R Graddon

7. Mr T Howell

8. Ms Y L Rees

9. Mr A White

10. Mrs D Whitney

5.3 Trustee Recruitment, Appointment and Training
Trustees are appointed in accordance with Sport England's Code of Sport Governance and the Charity Commission's Governance Code. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee leads the annual skill mix review and the Board agrees the skills required for future appointments. The committee leads the recruitment in accordance with policy and the new trustees were appointed by the members by an ordinary resolution in 2025/26. The minimum number of trustees is 4 and the maximum is 12. The new trustees have an extensive induction programme including:

- The organisation structure, activities and stakeholders

- The responsibilities of being a trustee

- Online safeguarding training

- Trustees are provided with a copy of the Charity Commission: essential trustee document, Sport England Code for Sports Governance, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interests form

The Board undertakes the following each year

- Skill mix review

- Internal Board evaluation exercise

- Trustee and Chair appraisals

- Review of register of interests

The trustees undertook development sessions on safeguarding (led by the CEO of British Gymnastics), community sports (led by the CEO of Parkrun), and finance (led by L Davies and J Scutt).

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year, were:

Mr P Traynor
(Resigned 1 June 2025)
Mr T J Howell
Ms A Pendlington
(Resigned 16 February 2026)
Mr A White
Mrs D Whitney (Senior Independent Director)
Mr I Da Cunha
(Resigned 31 March 2026)
Mrs C Gibbons (Chair)
Mrs S Rosso
(Resigned 23 September 2025)
Ms Y L Rees (Vice Chair from 22 July 2025)
(Appointed 15 April 2025)
Mr L Davies
(Appointed 2 June 2025)
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
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Mr J R Graddon
Mrs B Banton
Miss S Curgenven
Dr A Glynn
(Appointed 23 September 2025)

* Mrs C Gibbons was awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours 2026.

Attendees at Board meetings: The Chief Executive was Mr A Statham. Mr D Gale attended as East Sussex Director of Public Health.

Committee Structure to December 2025

Three sub-committees are convened by deploying appropriately skilled members from the Board to discuss Human Resources, Governance (Finance and Legal) and Business Development (Marketing and Strategy Progress).

- Governance & Audit Committee: Mrs D Whitney (chair), Mr I Da Cunha, Mr L Davies, Mr J R Graddon and Mr A White

- Human Resources & Nominations Committee: Mr T Howell (chair), Mrs B Banton and Mrs C Gibbons MBE

- Strategy Progress & Growth Committee: Ms A Pendlington (chair), Miss S Curgenven Mrs S Rosso (resigned 23 September 2025) and Mr P Traynor (resigned 1 June 2025)

Committee Structure from January 2026

Following a comprehensive governance review in 2025, a revised governance structure was introduced from January 2026, establishing three sub‑committees covering Finance, Risk and Audit, Governance and Compliance, and Nominations and Remuneration.

- Finance, Risk and Audit Committee: Mr L Davies (Chair of finance section), Mr J R Graddon (Chair of risk section), Dr A Glynn, Mr T Howell, Ms Y L Rees and Mr A White

- Governance and Compliance Committee: Mrs D Whitney (chair), Mrs B Banton, Miss S Curgenven, Mr I Da Cunha (resigned 31 March 2026), Dr A Glynn and Ms A Pendlington (resigned 16 February 2026)

- Nominations and Remuneration Committee: Mrs C Gibbons MBE (Chair), Mrs B Banton, Ms Y L Rees and Mr A White

The Place Oversight Group is not a committee of the Board. It provides strategic oversight, governance, and assurance for the effective implementation of the Sport England Place Expansion into Hastings and the Place Universal Offer (PUO). The Group has delegated authority from the Board to make decisions within agreed parameters. In 2025/26, representation included trustees and the CEO: Ms Y L Rees (Chair), Mrs C Gibbons MBE, Mrs B Banton and Mr A Statham.

The Board appoints Lead Board Members for Welfare and Safety, and EDI to ensure these matters receive appropriate consideration in decision making and policy. For 2025/26, the role of Lead Board Member for Welfare and Safety was Miss S Curgenven and Lead Board Member for EDI was Mr A White and replaced by Mrs B Banton on 27 January 2026.

5.4 Financial Management

Budgets are devolved to the Senior Leadership Team and other individual staff as appropriate, with monthly management accounts provided to all budget holders to enable ongoing financial monitoring and control. The Board of Directors and the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee receive financial monitoring figures on a quarterly basis. All payments are authorised in accordance with Active Sussex’s published financial regulations, procedures, and bank mandate.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 11 -

5.5 Representation

At county level, Active Sussex had membership of, and/or provided support to, the following strategic groups and meetings:

1. Active Hastings Partnership Group

2. Active Rother Partnership Group

3. Brighton & Hove Active Aging Alliance

4. Brighton & Hove Active Children & Young People Alliance

5. Brighton & Hove Sport & Physical Activity Strategic Group

6. East Sussex Climate and Health Stakeholder Group

7. East Sussex Healthy Weight Partnership

8. Hastings Youth Partnership

9. Lewes & Eastbourne Partnership Group

10. NHS Sussex Prevention Steering Group

11. Sussex School Games Steering Group

6 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

6.1 Professional Services

The following organisations provided services to the Trust during the reporting period:

- Accountancy

Carpenter Box, Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL

- Audit

Sumer Audit, Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL

- Banking

Barclays Bank PLC, Floor 27, Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP

- Human Resources
  Lanes Employment Solution Specialists Ltd, Unit 24 Regents Pavilion, 4 Summerhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6BJ

- Payroll

Galloways Accounting, 18 Hyde Gardens, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4PT

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Sumer Audit be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs C Gibbons (Chair)
Trustee
Dated: 26 July 2026
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 12 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Sussex County Sports Partnership Trust 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 trust 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 trust 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 trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
- 13 -

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Sussex County Sports Partnership Trust (Active Sussex) (the ‘trust’) for the year ended 31 March 2026 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

-

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2026 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;

-

have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

-

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the trust in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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 trust’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

- the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and

- the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
- 14 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the trust and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the d irectors' r eport included within the trustees' r eport.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 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 and returns; 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; or

- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the s tatement of trustees' r esponsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the trust’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.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

- Obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the trust operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements and operations;

- Obtaining an understanding of the trust’s policies and procedures on fraud risks, including knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and

- Discussing among the engagement team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud through our knowledge and understanding of the company and our sector-specific experience.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the

trust for fraud. We are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. As a result of performing the above, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have an impact on the financial statements: health & safety, employment law and compliance with the UK Companies Act and the Charities Act.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE TRUSTEES OF SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
- 15 -

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

- Making enquiries of management and those charged with governance about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;

- Reviewing minutes of meetings of the board and senior management;

- Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates; and

- A uditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness.

Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to recognise the non-compliance.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http s://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Robin Evans BA FCA CTA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Sumer Audit
5 August 2026
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Worthing
Sumer Audit is a trading name of Sumer Auditco Limited
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 16 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
General

D esignated

2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
Notes
£
£
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
99
-
672,266
672,365
670,221
Charitable activities
5
-
540
430,999
431,539
186,942

Activities for generating funds

4
2,500
5,113
-
7,613
6,486

Investment s

6
5,543
-
-
5,543
6,496
Total income
8,142
5,653
1,103,265
1,117,060
870,145
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities

The development of sport in Sussex

7
47,480
11,729
787,949
847,158
929,331
Total charitable expenditure
47,480
11,729
787,949
847,158
929,331
Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers
(39,338)
(6,076)
315,316
269,902
(59,186)
Gross transfers between funds
(4,650)
4,659
(9)
-
-
Net movement in funds
(43,988)
(1,417)
315,307
269,902
(59,186)
Fund balances at 1 April 2025
252,908
59,657
261,617
574,182
633,368
Fund balances at 31 March 2026
208,920
58,240
576,924
844,084
574,182

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2026
31 March 2026
- 17 -
2026
2025
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
2,177
4,316
2,177
4,316
Current assets
Debtors
14
78,556
90,912
Cash at bank and in hand
825,288
597,372
903,844
688,284
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15
(61,937)
(118,418)
Net current assets
841,907
569,866
Total assets less current liabilities
844,084
574,182
Income funds
Restricted funds
16
576,924
261,617
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
17
58,240
59,657
General unrestricted funds
208,920
252,908
267,160
312,565
844,084
574,182

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2026, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 26 July 2026
Mrs C Gibbons (Chair)
Trustee
Company Registration No. 06166961
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 18 -
2026
2025
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations
23
224,030
(61,204)
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(1,657)
(3,216)
Investment income received
5,543
6,496
Net cash generated from investing activities
3,886
3,280
Net cash used in financing activities
-
-
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
227,916
(57,924)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
597,372
655,296
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
825,288
597,372
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 19 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Sussex County Sports Partnership Trust (Active Sussex) is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 33, Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SB.

The company is limited by guarantee, not having a share capital and consequently the liability of members is limited, subject to an undertaking by each member to contribute to the net assets or liabilities of the company on winding up such amounts as may be required not exceeding £1.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the trust's governance handbook, 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 2019)". The trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the trust. Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees have considered relevant information, including the annual budget, forecast future cash flows and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment. Sport England has advised that Active Partnerships will be the first partners to progress through the investment process for the 2027–2031 cycle, with applications opening in September and decisions expected in December 2026. The trustees remain confident that this funding will continue and are satisfied that sufficient funding will continue for the foreseeable future.

Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the entity, the trustees have concluded that there is no material uncertainty in relation to the appropriateness of continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charit y.

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. A pension reserve is shown separately within unrestricted funds.

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.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 20 -
1.4
Income

Income is recognised when the trust is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Donations and legacies are recognised as incoming resources when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.

Income from government and other grants is recognised when the trust has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Investment income relates to interest receivable on bank deposits and is recognised in the financial statements when receivable.

1.5
Expenditure

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.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the statutory requirements of the trust and include its audit fees and costs linked to strategic management of the trust.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

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:

Fixtures and fittings
3 years straight line
Computer equipment
3 years straight line

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.

1.7
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the trust 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).

1.8
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks. The Trustees seek to use short and medium term deposits where possible to maximise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash flow.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 21 -
1.9
Financial instruments

The trust 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 trust's balance sheet when the trust 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.

The t rust enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable.

1.10
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

1.11
Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the trust’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.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 22 -
3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
General

D esignated

2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
£
£
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
99
-
-
99
-

Grants receivable for core activities

-
-
672,266
672,266
670,221
99
-
672,266
672,365
670,221

Grants receivable of £672,266 (2025: £6 68,221) were restricted and £nil (202 5: £2,000) were designated. Grants received from Sport England that were unspent at the reporting date have not been deferred as Sport England have not requested repayment of these funds.

Grants receivable for core activities
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
General

D esignated

2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
£
£
£
£
£
Sport England
-
-
592,516
592,516
580,692
Coach Core
-
-
1,250
1,250
1,250
East Sussex County Council
-
-
76,000
76,000
60,000
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
-
-
-
2,000
Opening Schools
-
-
-
-
23,779
Play Their Way
-
-
2,500
2,500
2,500
-
-
672,266
672,266
670,221
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 23 -
4

Activities for generating funds

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
General
Designated
2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
£
£
£
£
£

Event tickets

2,100
798
-
2,898
2,765

Workshop f ees

400
4,315
-
4,715
3,490

Other fundraising activit i es

-
-
-
-
231
2,500
5,113
-
7,613
6,486

Income from events tickets of £2,100 (2025: £2,190) w as unrestricted and £798 (202 5: £575) was designated. There was no restricted income from the sale of event tickets in the current or comparative period.

Income from workshop fees o f £400 (2025: £nil) was unrestricted and £4,315 (2025: £3,490) was designated. There was no restricted income from workshop fees in the current or comparative period.

Income from other fundraising activities of £nil (2025: £231) was unrestricted. There was no designated or restricted income from other fundraising activities in the current or comparative period.

5
Charitable activities
2026
2025
£
£
The development of sport in Sussex
431,539
186,942
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - Designated
540
1,307
Restricted funds
430,999
185,635
431,539
186,942
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 24 -
6

Investment s

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
General

D esignated

2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
£
£
£
£
£
Interest receivable
5,543
-
-
5,543
6,496

Interest receivable of £5,543 (2025: £6,496) was unrestricted. There was no designated or restricted interest receivable in the current or comparative period.

7
Charitable activities
2026
2025
£
£
Staff costs
552,359
545,664
Depreciation and impairment
3,796
9,093

Other costs

176,377
149,908
732,532
704,665
Grant funding of activities (see note 8)
11,122
124,220
Share of support costs (see note 9)
68,653
64,986
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
34,851
35,460
847,158
929,331
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - General
47,480
21,721
Unrestricted funds - Designated
11,729
24,419
Restricted funds
787,949
883,191
847,158
929,331
8
Grants payable
2026
2025
£
£
Grants to institutions:
The development of sport in Sussex
11,122
124,220
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
8
Grants payable
(Continued)
- 25 -

The institutions that grants have been provided to consist of registered charities, community and amateur sports clubs, leisure centres and other sporting institutions. There were no grants made to individuals in the current or comparative period.

The reduction in grants payable during the year reflects a change in lottery regulations regarding the onward awarding of grant funding for projects. In addition, there has been a decrease in grants awarded from non–Sport England funding streams, contributing to the overall variance compared with the prior year.

9
Support costs allocated to activities
Total
Total
2026
2025
£
£
Staff costs
36,392
36,619
Rent: Universities of Sussex and Brighton
24,340
24,908
Insurance
3,817
3,459
Outsourced finance
4,104
-
Governance
34,851
35,460
103,504
100,446
2026
2025
Governance costs comprise:
£
£
Staff costs
17,480
18,017
Accountancy services
15,336
12,810
Legal fees
1,111
3,813
Advertising
924
820
34,851
35,460

Included within accountancy services is £8,500 (202 5: £8,525) of fees payable to the charity's auditor for the audit of the financial statements.

The expenditure for support and governance costs basis of allocation are all direct, except staff costs which are based on time spent.

10
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the trust during the year.

During the year, expenses of £1 61 (202 5: £108) were reimbursed to a trustee relating to travel costs.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 26 -
11
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2026
2025
Number
Number
Sports development
12
12
Administration
1
1
Total
13
13
Employment costs
2026
2025
£
£
Wages and salaries
507,632
508,252
Social security costs
53,396
45,178
Other pension costs
45,203
46,870
606,231
600,300
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were:
2026
2025
Number
Number
£60,001 - £70,000
1
-
12
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax ation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 27 -
13
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
Computer equipment
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2025
3,496
14,159
17,655
Additions
-
1,657
1,657
At 31 March 2026
3,496
15,816
19,312
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2025
3,495
9,844
13,339
Depreciation charged in the year
1
3,795
3,796
At 31 March 2026
3,496
13,639
17,135
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2026
-
2,177
2,177
At 31 March 2025
1
4,315
4,316
14
Debtors
2026
2025
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
-
548
Other debtors
5,217
-
Prepayments and accrued income
73,339
90,364
78,556
90,912
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2026
2025
£
£
Other taxation and social security
18,504
12,303
Government grants
-
67,629
Trade creditors
16,740
7,976
Other creditors
2,105
1,870
Accruals
24,588
28,640
61,937
118,418

Government grants are made up of £nil (202 5: £45,000) deferred income from East Sussex County Council and £nil (202 5: £22,629) from Sport England.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 28 -
16
Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity compri se the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be use d.

Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2024
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
1 April 2025
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2026
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Sport England:
Active Lives
22,800
15,000
(31,420)
-
6,380
15,000
(7,700)
-
13,680
Primary Role
174,049
565,692
(573,911)
4,550
170,380
592,516
(547,369)
(18,038)
197,489
SWO Capacity and Delivery
37,233
106,461
(98,675)
-
45,019
109,295
(103,881)
-
50,433
Satellite Club Local Delivery
1,589
-
(1,580)
-
9
-
-
(9)
-
Workforce Investment
967
-
-
-
967
-
(967)
-
-
Coach Core
1,263
1,250
(2,109)
-
404
1,250
(260)
-
1,394
CYP Investment Fund
17,135
-
(48,111)
32,004
1,028
-
-
-
1,028
Moving Communities
-
3,771
(3,771)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Opening Schools Facility
-
23,779
(14,000)
(9,779)
-
-
-
-
-
Project 500
870
-
(750)
-
120
-
(120)
-
-
Multi Sports Facility
16,333
20,400
(19,218)
-
17,515
20,825
(20,178)
-
18,162
System Partners Delivery Award
13,201
55,003
(17,059)
(32,273)
18,872
47,700
(37,083)
18,038
47,527
Place Expansion
-
-
-
-
-
82,600
(6,999)
-
75,601
Place Universal Offer
-
-
-
-
-
132,950
-
-
132,950
Other grants
East Sussex Embedding PAASC
9,464
60,000
(71,510)
2,046
-
70,000
(33,839)
-
36,161
NHS Tackling Inequalities
-
-
-
-
-
22,629
(22,629)
-
-
Play Their Way Project
-
2,500
(1,077)
(500)
923
2,500
(2,351)
-
1,072
Stroke Reconditioning
-
-
-
-
-
6,000
(4,573)
-
1,427
294,904
853,856
(883,191)
(3,952)
261,617
1,103,265
(787,949)
(9)
576,924
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
16
Restricted funds
(Continued)
- 29 -

Sport England funds are split in the table above is for Sport England reporting purposes. All restricted funds are for the development of sports, to promote sport and active recreation across Sussex. Transfers represent internal transfers where a grant-funded programme has ceased, and the funds are transferred to a budget code to use for a similar purpose for which funds were originally granted. All transfers are within the terms and conditions of each grant.

17
Designated funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity compri se the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be use d. The se include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

Movement in funds
Movement in funds
Balance at
1 April 2024
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
1 April 2025
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
Balance at
31 March 2026
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Active Schools
24,666
4,297
(15,559)
-
13,404
4,855
(7,493)
-
10,766
ESHT Stroke Deconditioning Pilot
-
2,000
(8,000)
6,000
-
-
-
-
-
End of Contract Provision
43,724
-
-
(4,524)
39,200
-
-
4,659
43,859
Sussex Sports & Physical Activity Awards
1,295
1,075
(1,299)
-
1,071
798
(1,600)
-
269
Parallel Youth Games
2,243
-
739
3,000
5,982
-
(2,636)
-
3,346
ESWY
312
-
(300)
(12)
-
-
-
-
-
72,240
7,372
(24,419)
4,464
59,657
5,653
(11,729)
4,659
58,240
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
17
Designated funds
(Continued)
- 30 -

The designated funds held above are all held in furtherance of the t rust's objects to promote sport and active recreation, as well as statutory provisions for liabilities in the event of future staff redundancies.

End of Contract Provision is funding set aside from the Trust’s reserves as a provision for payment of statutory redundancy payments that may arise because of fixed term contracts ending.

Parallel Youth Games is funding generated by the Trust to conduct the annual Youth Games for children with disabilities.

Sussex Sport & Physical Activity Awards is income which is generated to support the delivery of the annual Sussex Sports Awards event. This will now be known as Sussex Sports and Physical Activity Awards.

Active Schools is a designated fund formed from the Trusts' Primary PE Business Income budgets. The fund will be used to promote and improve the delivery of physical activity in Primary schools, as well as training and education in the same setting.

ESWY Fund (East Sussex Woman of the Year Fund): This funding from the East Sussex Women’s Lunch Committee was distributed to organisations in East Sussex, including Brighton & Hove to benefit women by supporting their mental and physical wellbeing through physical activity.

ESHT Stroke Deconditioning Pilot: The Stroke Reconditioning Pilot is a project funded by the Trust with a financial contribution from Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council Public Health. Its aim is to test a novel delivery model to reduce hospital deconditioning among patients recovering from a stroke at the Bexhill Irvine Unit in Rother.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 31 -
18
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Total
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
Total
2026
2026
2026
2026
2025
2025
2025
2025
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2026 are represented by:
Tangible assets
2,177
-
-
2,177
4,316
-
-
4,316
Current assets
206,743
58,240
576,924
841,907
250,637
59,657
259,572
569,866
208,920
58,240
576,924
844,084
254,953
59,657
259,572
574,182
SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 32 -
19
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

At the reporting end date the trust had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

2026
2025
£
£
Within one year
15,714
14,969

During the year, the Trust made payments under operating leases totalling £20,207 (202 5: £1 9,008).

20
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the current or comparative period, other than those included within trustees note 10.

Remuneration of key management personnel
The key management personnel of the charity compromise the Chief Executive, Head of Operations and three Strategic Relationship Managers. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were:
2026
2025
£
£
Aggregate compensation
252,146
260,761
21
Share capital and control

Sussex Country Sports Partnership Trust is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. No one member has overall control of the charity.

22
Analysis of changes in net funds

The trust had no debt during the current or comparative period.

SUSSEX COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP TRUST
(ACTIVE SUSSEX)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
- 33 -
23
Cash generated from operations
2026
2025
£
£
Deficit for the year
269,902
(59,186)
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
(5,543)
(6,496)
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
3,796
9,093
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
12,356
(8,423)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
11,148
(18,821)
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income
(67,629)
22,629
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations
224,030
(61,204)
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