ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 1 st April 2015 to 31 st March 2016

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 1 st April 2015 to 2016

2 Trustee Annual Report from 1 st April 2016 to 2016 Our trustees and Staff as at 2016 Trustees Christopher Dunlop Verity Gibson Howard Jones Claire Parker Amanda Potter Mary Bradley Robin Amos Philip Dwyer Alastair Aitken Chairperson Vice Chair Treasurer Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Social Services Representative Paul Bowerbank Staff Sue Moore Manager Julie Dwyer Deaf Community Worker & Open Door Facilitor Rosemary Pell BSL Interpreter RSLI (Senior Interpreter) Autumn Moon BSL Interpreter RSLI Kim Mills BSL Interpreter RSLI Emily Smith BSL Interpreter RSLI (Left September 2015) Anne Richardson BSL Interpreter RSLI Fran Collins BSL Interpreter TI Teresa Howard Deaf Advocacy Worker Heather Harries Bookings Coordinator Mary Chambers Bookings Coordinator Francesca Connor CSW/ admin support worker (post finished February 2016) Language Aides Ann Marsh, Trudi Daynes & Frances Pidgen 2

3 Charity Information Bank Charities Aid Foundation CAF Bank Limited. Independent Examiner Aleathia Mann F.C.A., F.C.I.E.Aleathia Mann Ltd, Chartered Accountant. Springwood, Church Lane, Sparham, Norfolk NR9 5PP. Management Deaf Connexions is managed on a day- to-day basis by its Manager with decisions made by the Trustees on the Management Committee. Governance and internal control Trustees are elected by the membership and serve for a three year period, and may be reelected. The Trustees meet four times a year. The main risks facing the charity relate to its income being reliant on a small number of major contracts. The Trustees have considered this risk and consider that due to the nature of the service, the proven ability to meet commitments and renew contracts and the on-going impact of the Equality Act, the charity continues to look forward to a successful future. Volunteers Deaf Connexions uses volunteers to assist with its administrative and other functions. It is grateful for their efforts. Employee involvement and employment of disabled people Employees are consulted on issues of concern to them by means of open day-to-day management, and regular staff meetings. The charity has implemented a number of detailed policies in relation to all aspects of personnel matters including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Policies relating to the Criminal Records Bureau recruitment of ex offenders. In accordance with the charity's equal opportunities policy, the charity has fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of disabled staff. 3

4 Chairman s Report 2015/16 was another busy and successful year for Deaf Connexions. All our services remain in strong demand. Interpreter bookings are broadly comparable with previous years helped by our working partnerships with the Shaw Trust and Remploy. Our open door service remains busy, helping with crucial matters such as PIP assessments. The advocacy services also remains in demand. The Deaf Centre is very busy, with many well-subscribed activities including Healthy Walks. BSL training continues to go well, with excellent pass rates. Thanks to our funders, for their support making all of this possible. As our accounts show, our financial position remains healthy, though we are still running at a slight loss. With major contracts up for renewal next year, I hope and trust that we will be able to agree terms enabling us to continue to provide excellent services for the next three years and beyond. Thanks as always to our staff, for their continued good work. And finally, thanks to trustees, and to colleagues in the council and elsewhere for supporting this work, and ensuring its continuation. Christopher Dunlop Chairman 4

5 Report on Services and Projects Communication Service It has been another busy year however our INTRAN bookings were down by 30 bookings mainly as a result of a regular health that was no longer required. We did a few more non INTRAN bookings this was as a result of our working partnerships with the Shaw Trust and Remploy. Language Aide Service We continue to support hearing families with Deaf children and over this year we worked with twelve families across the county. Training Our BSL classes continue to be successful this year 98% of students passed their level one BSL Sign Zone and Coffee Morning are always busy with people wanting to improve and practice their skills and we are very grateful for our Volunteers who run Sign Zone. 5

6 st 1 April st 31 March Advocacy Service & Open Door Service Our Open Door service is always busy on average we see 25 people a week most people have several things they need support with from translating a letter to booking a doctor s appointment. The numbers of enquiries have been broken down in the chart below In this last year we had a total of 1,467 enquires. Welfare Benefits Health Mental health Social Care Other enquiries Deaf Community Centre a snapshot of what we have been doing The Deaf centre is very busy we have on average 850 Deaf people who attend every month. This last year we received a grant from Healthy Norwich to help support our Healthy Walks and as a result we are now doing them every two weeks instead of every four. We all enjoy the walks it helps keep us fit and health. Tom We have also been trying to find all the Blue Plaques around the City 6

7 A few of the Workshops we provided Our History Group has been visiting different Museums and Multi cultural places And finally our Craft Knitting Group have been busy again knitting blankets and hats for the neonatal unit at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital 7

8 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 1 ST April 2015 to 2016 Summary of financial results Income and expenditure Income reduced in by approximately 16,000 compared to the previous year. For most activities income remained stable, but the Communications Service suffered a reduction of 7% due mainly to a reduction in regular Intran bookings. Deaf Centre income was higher due to one-off contributions, but this was balanced by lower income associated with other non contract activities. Expenditure has been well controlled, with an overall reduction of over 5,000 compared with the previous year. The main reductions were due to lower expenditure on the Deaf Centre and other projects. However, the reduction in expenditure has not matched income reductions, resulting in an overall deficit for the year of 4,778. Reserves The Trustees continue to review the reserves of the Charity. They have concluded that to allow the charity to be managed efficiently, to cover working capital requirements, and to provide a buffer for uninterrupted services if contracts are discontinued or reduced, a general reserve equivalent to between three and six month s forward expenditure (i.e. between approximately 80,000 and 155,000) should be maintained. During the year the charity s general reserve, excluding restricted funds has decreased from 114,712 to 109,934. This is mainly due to the reduction in Communications Service income described above. Approved by the Trustees Christopher Dunlop Chairman 8

9 Independent Examiner s Report for the year ended 31 March 2016 To the Trustees of Deaf Connexions I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner The charity s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity s trustees consider that an audit is not requirement for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner s report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiner s statement In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention: 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that: proper accounting records are kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and financial statements are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Aleathia Mann F.C.A., F.C.I.E Aleathia Mann Ltd Chartered Accountant Springwood Church Lane Sparham Norfolk NR9 5PP Date: 9

10 Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2016 Statement of financial activities Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2016 Statement of financial activities Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 31-Mar Mar Total Funds Incoming resources Income from charitable trading Communication service 218, , ,524 Deaf Centre 25,756 25,756 19,741 Language Aide 10,017 10,017 9,084 Advocacy and Open Door 39,000 39,000 39,000 Other projects 5,298 8,232 13,530 19, ,225 8, , ,308 Interest received Other incoming resources 2,100 2,100 2,672 Total incoming resources 300,369 8, , ,016 Expenditure Charitable expenditure Communication service 218, , ,571 Deaf Centre 22,620 22,620 25,263 Language Aide 11,579 11,579 12,762 Advocacy and Open Door 40,502 40,502 40,050 Other projects 9,290 5,690 14,980 19, ,160 5, , ,221 Governance costs 2,987 2,987 2,942 Total expenditure 305,147 5, , ,163 Net movement in funds -4,778 2,542-2,236 8,852 Funds balance brought forward 114, , ,860 Funds balance carried forward 109,934 2, , ,712 10

11 Deaf Connexions Accounts Year to 31 March 2016 Balance sheet 31-Mar Mar Current assets Debtors Debtors control account 85,105 89,972 Prepayments 630 1,763 Accrued Income 85,735 91,735 Cash at bank and in hand 28,170 25,945 Total current assets 113, ,680 Short term creditors Creditors control account Deferred income Accruals 1,179 2,218 1,429 2,968 Net assets 112, ,712 Unrestricted income funds Restricted funds 2,542 0 General reserve 109, , , ,712 Signed on behalf of the Trustees 0 H Jones, Treasurer Date Note: due to rounding, there may be minor arithmetical inconsistencies (of no more than 1) in the accounts as presented. 0 11

12 Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended Accounting policies Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2005 (updated 2008) Fund accounting The general fund is an unrestricted fund which is available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes (there are no such funds at present). Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors. Incoming resources Incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Our Core income relates to our Contract Agreements with Norfolk County Council, INTRAN (Communication Service), Deaf Community Centre, Language Aide and Open Door& Advocacy. This is supplemented with invoiced and other earned income generated from selling our Communication Services outside of our contractual obligations and grant income. Resources expended All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Staff costs and other costs which cannot be attributed to a particular heading have been allocated based on an estimate of the proportion of time spent by each staff member. 12

13 Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets costing more than 2,500 and not funded directly through contract or grant are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expense of acquisition. The charity currently has no tangible fixed assets. When it does, depreciation will be provided. Pension costs The charity contributes to a pension scheme which is available to all staff and provides a 3% contribution to Aviva Group Personal Pension. 2. Income Incoming resources Income from charitable trading Communication Service Breakdown Income from INTRAN Partners 173,368 Invoiced and other earned income 44,787 Total Communication Service income 218,115 Note: the INTRAN incorporate service agreements with a number of public sector organisations including Norfolk County Council and the Health Service and covers Sign Language interpreting, Lipspeaking and other interpreting related services 3. Trustee remuneration No remuneration has been paid to trustees in their capacity as trustees. Amounts totaling for training, communication services and travel expenses have been paid to three Trustees in line with normal working procedures. Certain Trustees may benefit indirectly through availability of Communication support on the same basis as any service user. 4. Staff costs No member of staff received a salary of more than 60,000 in the years to 2015 or As at 31 March 2016 employees total 4 full - time and 6 part-time (2015: 4 full time and 8 part time) 13

14 2015/ /15 191,131 Wages/salaries 187,736 14,838 Social security costs 14,106 3,284 Pensions 3, ,252 Total 205, Financial commitments At 31st March 2016, the charity had no long term commitments. 6. Analysis of movement on reserves Analysis of movement on reserves Restricted funds 31-Mar Mar Project b'fwd Income Expenditure c'fwd Norwich City Healthy Norwich Council 2,760 2,760 - Financial Money Saving Support Project expert 2, ,542 Deaf History Project Heritage Lottery Fund 0 2,930 2, ,232 5,690 2,542 Designated funds General fund 114, , , ,934 Total funds 114, , , ,476 14

15 7. Support Costs Support costs have been allocated across services on the basis of staff costs for each service Payroll Travel 2, , Stationary 1, , Postage Equipment , Membership , Training 1, , Photocopier 2, , Rent/Rates 2, , Telephone 2, , Insurance 2, , Utilities AGM/Charity 1, Office exp inc web maintenance , ,

16 8. Analysis of resources expended by expenditure type Staff Freelance and Other Costs travel costs Costs Total Total Communication service 159,478 44,598 14, , ,571 Deaf Centre 18,986 1,956 1,678 22,620 25,263 Language Aide 5,178 5, ,579 12,762 Advocacy and Open Door 19,138 19,672 1,691 40,502 40,050 Other projects 3,728 10, ,980 19,574 Governance costs 2, ,987 2, ,252 83,092 18, , ,163 Unit 14, Capitol House 4 Heigham Street, Norwich NR2 4TE Telephone Minicom mail@deafconnexions.org.uk 16