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HARROGATE & AREA COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE LTD

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2017

Charity registration number 1144758

Company Number 7760477


I N D E X P A G E

_______________________________________________________________________________________

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1 - 13

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT 14

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 15

BALANCE SHEET 16

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 17 - 27

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

The trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual

report and unaudited accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2017. The financial statements

comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association 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 2015).

OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARITY

The objects of the Charity and Company, as stated in the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated

March 2012 are:

To promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the public, primarily but not exclusively in the

local government area of Harrogate District and its environs (the ‘area of benefit’) and, in particular,

build the capacity of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises and provide them with the

necessary support, information and services to enable them to pursue or contribute to any charitable

purpose.

To promote, organise and facilitate co-operation and partnership working between charities,

voluntary organisations and social enterprises; and statutory and other relevant bodies in the

achievement of the above purpose within the area of benefit.

For the public benefit to assist in the advancement of education, the protection of mental and physical

health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness, within the area of benefit.

In January 2015 the Board adopted a revised 5 year strategic plan which sets out the vision and mission for

Harrogate and Ripon CVS.

Our Vision:

People in the Harrogate District benefit from leading fulfilling and active lives and make a positive

contribution to local community life.

Our Mission:

To support our communities, charities and volunteers to make the Harrogate District a great place in which to

live and work.

Our Overall Aims:

To help people take positive action to identify and meet the needs of their communities and enhance

their own lives in doing so;

To support communities, charities and volunteers across the Harrogate District by ensuring access to

the best support and advice possible;

To ensure that the role of charities and volunteers across the Harrogate District is recognised, and

their contribution is valued and supported;

To support the local voluntary and community sector to have a strong voice and effective influence on

all decision makers in our area.

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Our Strategic Objectives:

1. To be the leading provider for information, research, advice & guidance for local voluntary & community

action in the Harrogate District.

2. To act as a catalyst for voluntary & community sector development by connecting and collaborating

with any appropriate organisations.

3. To campaign, communicate and advocate on behalf of the voluntary & community sector and engage in

and influence relevant partnerships.

4. To provide services to support disadvantaged & vulnerable people.

5. To ensure HARCVS is fit for purpose, independent and marketed effectively.

These strategic objectives each have a set of actions which form the basis of an annual work plan to guide the

work of the HARCVS staff team under the leadership of the Chief Executive. Progress against a set of key

performance indicators is monitored and reported to trustee meetings throughout the year.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY DURING 2016/17

The charity is a local support and development organisation, involved in three main areas of activity:

Supporting local voluntary and community organisations and connecting and involving people

Promoting and supporting volunteering

Providing services for older, disabled or vulnerable people.

Supporting local voluntary and community organisations (VCOs)

HARCVS works in line with the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NACVA) Quality

Award, an externally assessed quality management award for local development and support organisations.

This was first achieved in 2006, renewed in 2011 and most recently in 2016. We provide support and

development services for local voluntary and community organisations in line with the following national

standards:

1. We support the identification of needs in the local community and facilitate innovation and

improvements in service provision to meet those needs.

2. We support local voluntary organisations and community groups to fulfil their missions more

effectively.

3. We facilitate effective communication and collaboration amongst local voluntary organisations and

community groups and between different sectors.

4. We support local voluntary organisations and community groups to influence policies, plans and

practices that have an impact on their organisations and beneficiaries.


Harrogate Volunteer Centre was founded in 1973 and continued to be operated by HARCVS until 31st March

2017. The Centre always provided a local face to face brokerage service which offered advice and guidance

to potential volunteers and helped match them to suitable volunteering roles. Although this service has now

ended we have carried on working with volunteer-involving organisations to adopt good practice in volunteer

management. Support includes information updates, facilitated networks and training for volunteer organisers

and trustees. We also continue to provide and promote information on local volunteering opportunities via the

online HARCVS Volunteering Directory launched in October 2016.

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Providing services for vulnerable people

Via the Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) HARCVS works with volunteers to help older, vulnerable or

disabled people in the community to remain independent in their own homes. These services are provided at

a very low cost or free of charge, to people unable to access affordable support from any other providers.

The key services offered are:

In the home:

Help for older, disabled or vulnerable adults struggling with gardening, garden clearance, decorating,

basic repair and other one-off practical tasks (Help at Home).

The Ripon & Rural Wellbeing Service provides support, information and advice to older and

vulnerable adults, who have experienced a recent change in their lives or health i.e. bereavement, or

illness. One to one support is provided by a team of three Service Support Workers, with the help of

volunteer befrienders to provide a wide range of social and emotional support.

Away from the home:

One-to-one volunteer-supported social and leisure outings for older and disabled people unable to

get out and about on their own (Opening Doors).

Door to Door transport: Our schedulers in Harrogate and Ripon assist people in need to get to

appointments and to make journeys that they would otherwise be unable to attend. This could be

due to the person’s mobility or to their location, meaning other forms of transport are unsuitable,

unavailable or unaffordable. Volunteers use their own vehicle, for which they are paid expenses at

the rate of 45p per mile. This is either paid directly by the client or via a referring partner.

Volunteers are supported to run lunch clubs in three rural locations in the Harrogate District;

Grantley, Masham and Kirkby Malzeard, providing friendship, a warm healthy meal and the

opportunity for new needs to be identified and followed up by the team.

As at 1st August 2017 HARCVS employed 20 staff (11 full time equivalents) and is also supported by 133

trained volunteers contributing more than 430 hours per week to deliver the services we provide for local

voluntary and community organisations and individuals in need.

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE DURING 2016/17

General overview

2016/17 was a year of highs and lows for HARCVS. We continued to focus on offering effective support to

voluntary and community groups and volunteers across the 500 square miles of the Harrogate District. The

charity’s financial performance was the strongest for many years, as a result of fundraising and partnership

work, and we received excellent feedback from the annual customer satisfaction surveys. We achieved the

Matrix quality award and performed well against all our key performance indicators. Fresh new branding was

developed alongside the completion of a major project to upgrade the long established Where to Turn

community information directory. We also developed a new local online volunteering directory and both were

launched at our AGM in October 2016.

During the second half of the year a considerable amount of work was carried out to prepare and submit a

North Yorkshire Alliance partnership bid for the NYCC/NHS Voluntary Sector Support Services contract,

which was put out to competitive tender to commence 1st April 2017. The Alliance is a partnership of the

District based CVS’s and Volunteer Centres across the county. Unfortunately this bid was unsuccessful and

from January 2017 onwards the trustee board and management team were heavily involved in preparing for

the transfer of the VCS support and development and Volunteer Centre services and 3 long serving

members of staff to the new provider. This development has had a significant impact on the 2017/18 budget

and HARCVS services which the board is continuing to work through.

Throughout the year we worked closely with our 2016/17 core funders, Harrogate Borough Council, North

Yorkshire County Council and the NHS Harrogate and Rural District Clinical Commissioning Group. Key

areas of work included representing the voluntary and community sector on the Harrogate District Public

Services Leadership Board and involvement in the national NHS Vanguard New Care Models programme,

known locally as “What Matters to us”. We have been active in the Harrogate District My Neighbourhood

programme and continued to develop links with the NYCC Stronger Communities and Living Well teams. We

successfully completed our contribution to the county wide “Warm and Well in North Yorkshire” partnership,

raising awareness of ways to tackle fuel poverty. This year also saw active involvement in the development of

“Ripon Together”, a new community interest company aiming to foster co-operation in the City and supported

by a grant to HARCVS from the City Council. Finally we participated in sub-regional and regional VCS

networks and events, including the Yorkshire and Humber Volunteer Co-ordinators Network, the Leeds City

Region Infrastructure Consortium and the Duke of York’s Community Initiative.

The delivery of services directly to older and vulnerable people continues to be an important responsibility for

HARCVS, with staff and volunteer teams based in both Harrogate and Ripon, under the umbrella of the

Harrogate Easier Living Project. Forward planning for these services was assisted by confirmation of NYCC

funding until October 2018, and HELP was also successful in securing national government funding via the

Big Lottery for a Local Sustainability Fund grant. This provided external support to develop a new business

model for the Help at Home gardening, decorating and DIY service, (to be piloted in Autumn 2017).

The team is committed to being seen out and about in the community and throughout the year we

participated in a variety of local community events, raising the profile of volunteering, awareness of our

services and the wide range of community activities in our area. We took part in the Big Picnic, Bilton and

Woodfield Library Open Day, the Nidderdale Show and Sights and Sounds of Ripon and also attended a

number of open day events hosted by local voluntary organisations. Once again we supported the local

flagship event of the year, the annual Harrogate District Volunteering Oscars. This was another tremendous

success, showcasing the huge amount of community action in the District, and plans are now underway for

the 10th anniversary ceremony in October 2017.

Our greatest asset continues to be our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. We recognise that as a small

organisation our opportunities for career progression are limited but we are committed to giving access to

training and development opportunities. Training undertaken this year has ranged from emergency first aid

and safeguarding through to counselling skills, dementia awareness and lone worker training. Staff are also

supported to become involved in project work, including carrying out research for funding applications, the

development of new services and participating in events and external partnerships. Our volunteers can also

access almost all of this training and we hold regular social events to bring them together and thank them for

the support, including the annual visit by the Mayor of the Harrogate District.

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HARROGATE & AREA COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE


Supporting local voluntary and community organisations (VCOs)

During 2016-17, the HARCVS Information Service continued to grow with an increasing network of over

1,150 contacts receiving our newsletters. In addition to weekly e-bulletins of news, resources, funding,

training, consultations, new local services, events and charity jobs, regular specialist updates were produced

for supporting older people, children, young people and families and charity trustees. A key role for HARCVS

is to promote the local voluntary and community sector and we continue to use a variety of methods to do so,

including social media. We have strong links with the local press and media and contribute monthly columns

to highlight the work of the sector in the Harrogate and Ripon weekly newspapers.

We completed the upgrade of our long established Where to Turn Directory of voluntary organisations and

regular community activities listings. We now provide a more comprehensive and fully searchable online

database of community organisations, activities and services in Harrogate District which support good health

and wellbeing. The directory lists 630 services and activities and around 60 community events at any one

time. In order to raise awareness of the new directory and the sister Volunteering Directory we ran awareness

sessions for a wide range of public and voluntary sector partners including general practices, social care and

library staff.

We continue to run a busy programme of events and training, ranging from our ever popular Introduction

Sessions, which give people new to the area or the sector the chance to find out more about both, through to

our regular social media surgeries. These are delivered by volunteer social media experts to help local

organisations benefit from the additional coverage that can be achieved to promote their activities.

During 2016-17 the HARCVS Support and Development Team worked with 285 organisations, to provide a

range of information, advice and support to strengthen organisations and help them achieve their plans. 36

groups received bespoke funding advice. 63 received organisational development advice ranging from start-

ups seeking advice on choosing appropriate organisational status to existing organisations seeking to change

their legal structure. The funding and governance advice continued to be increasingly complex and intensive,

particularly for those established organisations undergoing significant change and others seeking to review

their governance procedures and develop charged for services.

Our training programmes continued to be well supported, with 59 people participating in 8 courses. This was in

addition to our peer-support and learning network, known as “Trustee Tuesdays” with a total of 35

participants during the year and our training for volunteer managers.

Connecting and Involving People

An important part of our role is to host various forums to bring people together to improve local services and give

service users and voluntary sector organisations voice and influence with decision makers. The Independent

Advisory Group and Children and Young People’s Emotional and Mental Health Partnership continued to

receive funding to run in 2016/17 and we maintained our own commitment to hosting the Chief Officers and

Chairs Group and the Connecting Ripon Network Group as key groups supporting the VCS in the District. Over

the year 19 regular forum meetings were organised and supported, attended by 237 individuals. In addition

regular email updates are compiled and circulated to keep members up to date on relevant current events and

issues.

HARCVS continued to play an active role in both the leadership and various work streams of the New Care

Models NHS Vanguard programme on behalf of the local voluntary & community sectors. 30 voluntary sector

and 20 public sector partners attended a partnership event in June 2016 organised by HARCVS and supported

by the NHS New Care Models Programme. Voluntary organisations explored how well they were working

together as a sector in providing local health and wellbeing services and reviewed relationships with Health and

Wellbeing Commissioners and public sector providers. Key messages were developed for commissioners

including looking to future partnership arrangements. A follow up event in September brought together

representatives of 9 voluntary organisations and senior commissioners to look how support from the wider

community is best connected into and able to complement statutory sector services, especially around falls

prevention, stroke and mental health.

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HARCVS received 351 enquiries about volunteering and successfully placed 94 people, a conversion rate of

27%. Total enquiries are lower than the previous year due to the impact of changes to the national

volunteering database, Do-It, but conversion rates have not decreased. With the launch of our own

Volunteering Directory we are no longer dependent on Do-It and have much more local control over the

content of the directory and the supporting procedures, including follow-ups. In 2016/17 we advertised 513

opportunities for 221 organisations and at any one time the directory promotes approximately 330

volunteering roles across the Harrogate District.

We ran 6 training courses for volunteer managers over the year, attended by 43 participants. Topics included

Attracting & Recruiting Volunteers, Supporting & Supervising Volunteers, Building Successful Relationships

with Businesses and Involving Volunteers who have a History of Offending or Homelessness.

The Harrogate District Volunteer Managers Network met quarterly covering topics such as problem solving

and improving promotional materials and volunteer roles descriptions. We circulated a monthly network

update to 430 Volunteer Managers as well as newsletters 3 times per year.

We completed a research project funded by NYCC Stronger Communities to explore how supported

volunteering could be developed across North Yorkshire and continued to liaise with volunteer centre

managers across North Yorkshire and the region on volunteering issues.

Services for older, disabled or vulnerable people

The Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP)

HELP provides a range of preventative services aimed at helping people maintain their independence in their

own homes, principally supported by funding from NYCC and Harrogate Borough Council. Additional income

is also generated via trust, community and corporate fundraising, in addition to the donations received from

clients and their families. We were delighted that HELP was chosen as Sainsbury’s Harrogate’s Charity of the

Year for a third year running and for Sainsbury’s Ripon store for the first time. Their support, along with

funding from 43 further different sources enabled us to achieve a total of £28,283.11. This is a credit to the

efforts of the HELP team to diversify the funding base of the services and bring in additional income.

HELP successfully nominated one of their volunteers for the North Yorkshire County Council Community

Awards as “Volunteer of the Year”. Jane Lishman’s significant contribution, not only to HELP, but to several

other local charities, was recognised at an awards ceremony in Harrogate in October 2016. Jane also

received a £1,000 donation to HELP as a result of this award.

Our new website www.helpharrogate.org.uk has been developed and made fully operational this year, as has

the design and implementation of our new Civi CRM database, which is helping us to become more efficient

in planning services for clients and collecting data and producing reports as required.

Help at Home completed 383 gardening, decorating and DIY jobs, (an average of just under 32 jobs per

month, up from 22 per month during the previous 12 months) and assisted over 150 new clients during that

period, in addition to the people who call us for support on a regular basis.

Opening Doors have benefited from the services of 14 volunteers who enabled Service Users to go on 446

outings. Outings are to destinations of the service user’s choice, and are usually for social and leisure

activities to alleviate isolation and loneliness. A regular programme of social events is arranged to bring

volunteers, services users and staff together and to meet new people.

Harrogate Voluntary Car Driving Service, (“Driving Force”): 3314 journeys were undertaken by 32

volunteers for 292 clients in the first full financial year of running the service in Harrogate. We significantly

exceeded our target of 200 journeys per month (276 journeys undertaken on average per month), and in

doing so, our drivers have covered over 20,000 miles.

http://www.helpharrogate.org.uk/

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Ripon Voluntary Car Driving Service has been running for many years. Journey numbers have increased

hugely yet again in 2016/17. A team of 37 volunteers carried out 3861 journeys, up from 2714 last year (an

average of 321 journeys per month, up from 226 per month in the previous 12 month period). These journeys

were in excess of 36,000 miles. Requests are often to get to medical appointments, but the service is also

popular as a means of getting to lunch clubs and day services.

The Ripon & Rural Wellbeing Service has supported over 130 people over the past year and the majority of

service users fall into the 75-84 and 85+ age brackets, with frailty or temporary illness being the main need

for support. People were supported either through visits at home or by going to our lunch clubs 1212 times in

2016/17.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

Overview

HARCVS finished the year with an overall deficit of £21,403. This was made up of a surplus of £12,412 within

unrestricted funds and a deficit of £33,815 within restricted funding, as a result of the planned expenditure of

funds received in prior years.

Like many charities HARCVS has continued to deal with the impact of reductions in public sector funding and

increased competition for other sources of funding. With careful management of costs, and success in

securing new funding from other sources we have mitigated the worst of these difficulties.

Total income was £469,609 (£450,710 in 2015/16) demonstrating our ongoing successes in raising funds.

Our expenditure also increased in the period to £491,012 (from £453,617 in 2015/16) which reflected

increased service delivery.

We invested £23,918 of grant funding to upgrade the Community Information and Volunteering Directories,

using CiviCRM. These costs were recognised as revenue rather than capital expenditure as the focus of the

work was not income generation.

The Trustees were pleased with the overall results.

Reserves policy

The trustees have agreed that it is necessary to hold free reserves to cover the following contingencies:

To cover the redundancy and other costs in the event of the charity winding up through a substantial

loss of funding.

To provide working capital where contracts are paid in arrears.

To finance existing or new activities until adequate external funding is obtained.

The trustees consider that a reserve equivalent to three months’ running costs. Currently £100,000 to

£120,000 is adequate to cover these contingencies. The actual reserve at 31 March 2017 was £139,902 and

this will help us face ongoing funding challenges in 2017/18.

Principal funding sources

The main source of funding for the principal activities of HARCVS was North Yorkshire County Council and

the North Yorkshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups. This was received via a Single Funding Agreement

for support and development and volunteer services across North Yorkshire, administered by the North

Yorkshire & York Forum. We also receive vital annual core funding support from Harrogate Borough Council.

Other activities were funded by:

Big Lottery, Coles Solicitors, Sainsbury's, Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust, North Yorkshire Police, Brelms Trust,

Humber Learning Co, Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club, Thirsk Community Care, 29/05/1961 Charity Trust,

Rotary Club of Harrogate, Rural Action Yorkshire, Wolseley, Covance, Heineken, Betty's & Taylors of

Harrogate, Ripon City Council, Hind ND, HAADI, Belzona Polymerics, Waitrose, Ripon Charity Pantomime

Group, Groundwork, Knaresborough Lions, Nesta, TSB Foundation, Ripon Lions, Bilton Grange UR Church,

Police Mutual Assurance Society, ASDA, Manchester United Friendly Society, the Allotment Show, Wesley

Chapel, North Yorkshire County Councillors Hoult and Goss, and a number of smaller sources.

In addition to these funds, HARCVS receives income for its various services from donations from individuals,

charges for some support services and for administration services provided to member organisations.

We are extremely grateful to all the organisations and individuals who have provided us with the funds

necessary to carry out our work in 2016/17.

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

From 1st April 2012 Harrogate and Area CVS incorporated to become a company limited by guarantee

(number 7760477) and this also required the establishment of a new registered charity (number 1144758)

and memorandum and articles of association.

On 1st April 2013 the operation of the former Ripon Council for Voluntary Service was transferred to

Harrogate and Area Council for Voluntary Service. The charity and company name remain as Harrogate and

Area Council for Voluntary Service Ltd but publicly the organisation is known as Harrogate & Ripon Centres

for Voluntary Service (HARCVS).

The charity is a membership organisation and as at 31 March 2017 the organisation had 192 members and 5

associate (non-voting) members. Our memorandum and articles of association requires that member

representatives make up 60% of the Board of Trustees.

Recruitment, appointment and induction of trustees

Appointment of Trustees is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Board of

Trustees is authorised to appoint new Trustees to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an

existing Trustee.

One third of the Trustees must retire at the Annual General Meeting. However, if eligible, they may offer

themselves for re-election, serving a maximum period of up to 6 years (two three year terms).

Following their appointment Trustees are invited to meet with the Chief Executive for an initial induction

session. An induction check list with copies of relevant policies and other documents is provided, along with

introductions to members of staff. Trustees are encouraged to attend relevant training and are invited to

attend meetings and other events organised by the organisation.

Organisational structure

The Board of Trustees of the charity, currently comprising 9 Trustees, holds a minimum of four board

meetings per year, plus 2 board development sessions. In addition, there are sub-committees for finance and

governance:

Finance: Governance

John Groves (Chair) Lindsay Mitchell (Chair)

Kevin Douglas Pat Jones

Jackie Snape

John Fox

Stuart Gregory

The board also has a nominated link trustee for the Harrogate Easier Living Project services and in 2016/17

Maurice Bull carried out this role.

Operational management is delegated to the Chief Executive who is supported by a team of staff and

volunteers in three areas of work; voluntary sector support services, services to individuals and business

support. In 2016/17 the management team was made up of the Chief Executive, the Head of Support and

Development and the HELP Manager. A Finance Officer (part time) is responsible for the day to day financial

management of the charity.

Risk management

HARCVS maintains a risk register and the Board of Trustees and sub committees ensure that all major risks

to which the charity is exposed are reviewed on a regular basis and that the systems and procedures are in

place to manage these risks.

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity name Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service Limited

Charity Registration Number 1144758

Company Number 7760477

Principal Address Community House

46-50 East Parade

Harrogate

HG1 5RR

Trustees

Jackie Snape Chair

Maurice Bull Vice Chair

John Groves Chair of Finance Sub-Committee

Lindsay Mitchell Chair of Governance Sub-Committee

Pat Jones

Julian Terry Resigned October 2016

Kevin Douglas

Stuart Gregory

Jill Quinn Resigned November 2016

John Fox Appointed October 2016

Ruth Newton Appointed October 2016

Chief Executive

Karen Weaver

Independent Examiner

Jill Campbell FCCA, BSc (Hons), MAAT

JWPCreers LLP

Genesis 5

Church Lane

Heslington

York

YO10 5DQ

Tel: (01904) 717260

Bankers

Unity Trust

Nine Brindley Place

Birmingham

B1 2HB

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FUTURE PLANS

General overview

For many years HARCVS’s services were delivered on the basis of grant funding received from North

Yorkshire County Council, the NHS and Harrogate Borough Council, supplemented by additional fundraising.

From 1st April 2017 there has been a substantial change in that HARCVS is no longer funded by NYCC and

the NHS to provide support for voluntary and community groups and volunteers. This followed a competitive

bidding process in late 2016 which concluded with a new three year contract being awarded to an alternative

provider. We still receive NYCC funding for the practical support services via contracts which come to an end

in September 2018. Harrogate Borough Council continues to provide strategic grant aid for both our “core”

CVS work and our practical support services and we also receive a smaller grant from Ripon City Council to

support our work in the Ripon area.

The first half of 2017 has therefore been concerned with adjusting to our new financial situation and

reviewing our core purpose and strategic plan going forwards. This work will be concluded by the time of the

AGM in October 2017, and the following paragraphs reflect progress to date with this work. We anticipate our

overall vision, mission and aims will remain broadly the same, but the focus of our work must adjust to take

account of the new county wide provider, a smaller staff team and a different financial base. We

acknowledge the unstinting support of Harrogate Borough Council with this transition and look forward to

continuing to work with councillors and officers as we adjust to our new situation.

We anticipate that our information services will remain at the heart of our role, with three further themes of:

local voluntary action; local fundraising; and practical support for older and vulnerable people. Connecting

and collaborating will continue to underpin all our work.

Information services

We will be continuing to focus on making the best use of technology to share information, monitor impact and

promote our products and services. The Where to Turn and Volunteering Directories will be at the heart of

this work, and we will ensure that both are up to date, accurate and widely promoted so that they are the first

port of call for people looking to get involved in the local voluntary and community sector. We will also

connect in with the NYCC county wide community information directory being launched in 2017 and ensure

strong links with local health and care professionals to help them signpost people to sources of support in the

community. Via our contract to provide reception services at Harrogate Community House we will meet and

greet 1000’s of visitors and callers and ensure they receive a warm welcome and helpful information and

advice.

Local voluntary action

We will support local voluntary action via a programme of training events and networks and will continue to

host a number of forums, enabling VCS representatives to meet, share issues and influence decision

makers.

We will work closely with partners from all sectors to ensure a thriving local voluntary and community sector.

This includes continuing to be the VCS representative on the Harrogate District Public Services Leadership

Board and contributing to the HBC My Neighbourhood programme. We will strengthen our local links with the

NYCC Stronger Communities and Living Well programmes and support the third and final year of the NHS

New Care Models programme in the District.

We will continue to champion volunteering across the District, sharing information on opportunities and

promoting good practice in volunteer management. We will conclude the research project on supported

volunteering, working in partnership with NYCC Stronger Communities and other partners across the county,

with a workshop event in the autumn. The popular Get Set for Volunteering course will be running again

throughout the year, together with a variety of workshops supporting local volunteer managers in their roles.

We will collaborate with the wider voluntary and community sector at a county wide, regional and national

level wherever we can see an actual or potential benefit back to our District.

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Local fundraising

We see it as vitally important to ensure that the Harrogate District voluntary and community sector is resilient

and well prepared, and we are working closely with HBC and the Two Ridings Community Foundation to

launch the Harrogate District Community Fund. The aim is to establish a substantial endowment fund that

can be easily accessed by local charities to help them meet the needs of their beneficiaries and mitigate the

impact of further cuts in public spending. Attracting philanthropic donors and securing funds from dormant or

inactive trusts are early priorities but it is also intended that the Fund provides a vehicle for the local business

community to become more involved in community fundraising.

Practical support for older, disabled and vulnerable people

With funding from NYCC and HBC secured for a further period, work will continue to develop the fundraising

and marketing of our Practical Support Services, to ensure that the resources are available to keep up with

constant increases in demand. Recruiting, training, supporting and retaining volunteers is vital to this work,

and will be a feature of all marketing initiatives.

The team will aim to build on their successful fundraising in 2017/18 and in addition to matching last year’s

total, will also raise funds for a new Help at Home van. This will be achieved through a mixture of

approaches to businesses, community groups, trusts and public fundraising. They will also test out strategies

developed through the 16/17 Local Sustainability Fund to try to reduce our dependence on grant funding in

the medium term.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public

benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. The Trustees consider

that all the activities of HARCVS are carried out for the public benefit, as illustrated in this annual report.

Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The charity trustees (who are also the directors of the Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service Ltd for

the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial

statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true

and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure, of the

charitable company for that period. In preparing the 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 2015 (FRS102);

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;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume

that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at

any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply

with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable

company and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information

included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation

and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

- 13 -



Independent Examiners

JWPCreers LLP were re-appointed as the charity’s independent examiners for 2016/17 at the 2016 Annual

General Meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and

Reporting by Charities (issued in 2015).

Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:

............................................................................. .....................................................................

Jackie Snape (Chair) John Groves (Chair of Finance Sub-Committee)

- 14 -

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

HARROGATE & AREA COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE LIMITED

I report on the accounts of Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service Limited for the year ended

31 March 2017 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and related

notes.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS AND EXAMINER

The charity’s trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are

responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required

for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent

examination is needed. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the

examination by being a qualified member of ACCA.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for

independent examination, 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 STATEMENT

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

accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in

the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures

undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion

is given as to whether the accounts 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 requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006

and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the

accounting requirements of Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the

accounts to be reached.

Jill Campbell FCCA BSc (Hons) MAAT

JWPCreers LLP

Chartered Accountants

Genesis 5

Church Lane

Heslington

York YO10 5DQ 2017

- 15 -


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

Unrestricted Restricted

Notes funds funds 2017 2016

INCOME FROM: £ £ £ £

Donations and legacies 2 7,407 49,827 57,234 44,171

Charitable activities 2

Core activities 84,707 94,566 179,273 207,440

Forums and events - 6,905 6,905 5,928

Service delivery - 225,994 225,994 192,831

Other Trading Activities

Investments 2 145 58 203 340

_____ ______ ______ ______

Total income 92,259 377,350 469,609 450,710

_____ ______ ______ ______

EXPENDITURE ON:

Raising funds 4 5,903 3,702 9,605 9,629

Charitable activities 3

Core activities 73,944 118,319 192,263 171,893

Forums and events - 8,358 8,358 5,406

Service delivery - 280,786 280,786 266,689

_____ ______ ______ ______

Total expenditure 79,847 411,165 491,012 453,617

_____ ______ ______ ______

Net income/(expenditure) for the year 6 12,412 (33,815) (21,403) (2,907)

Reconciliation of funds:

Funds at 31 March 2016 127,490 97,222 224,712 227,619

______ ______ ______ ______

Funds at 31 March 2017 139,902 63,407 203,309 224,712

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income and expenditure derive

from continuing activities.

- 16 -


BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2017

(Company number: 07760477)

Notes 2017 2016

£ £ £

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets 8 - 33

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors 9 32,646 29,470

Cash at bank and in hand 274,771 212,818

______ ______

307,417 242,288

CREDITORS: amounts falling

due in less than one year 10 (104,108) (17,609)

______ ______

NET CURRENT ASSETS 203,309 224,679

______ ______

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 203,309 224,712

THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY

Unrestricted funds 139,902 127,490

Restricted funds 12 63,407 97,222

______ ______

203,309 224,712

For the year ending 31 March 2017 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime. These financial statements were approved by the trustees and are signed on their behalf by:

………………………………………………… …………………………………………………

Jackie Snape (Chair) John Groves (Chair of Finance Sub-Committee)

19 September 2017

- 17 -


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - 31 MARCH 2017

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 –

(Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic

of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity

under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value

unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

These accounts have been prepared as a going concern as future funding has been secured.

Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income

and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Donated services and gifts in kind

The value of donated services and gifts in kind provided to the charity are recognised at their open

market value in the period in which they are receivable as income, where the benefit to the charity can

be reliability measured.

An equivalent amount is included as expenditure under the relevant heading in the Statement of

Financial Activities.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis when a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any

VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is included as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Raising funds are those costs incurred in attracting donations and legacies and those incurred in trading

activities that raise funds.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and

services for its beneficiaries. It includes both the direct costs and support costs relating to such

activities.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory

requirements of the charity and include its audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of

the charity.

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis

consistent with the use of resources.

- 18 -



1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Tangible fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or

more are capitalised at cost.

Tangible fixed assets are depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as

follows:

Motor vehicles 25%

Computers and office equipment 33%

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general

objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the

terms of an appeal.

Operating leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, where substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership

remains with the lessor, are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they fall

due.

Pensions

The charity contributes to defined contribution pension schemes in respect of its employees. The

assets of these schemes are entirely separate to those of the charity. The pension cost shown

represents contributions payable by the charity in respect of the employees.

- 19 -



2. INCOME

Income other than charitable activities: 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Donations and legacies Donations and legacies 7,407 49,827 57,234 9,292 34,879 44,171 Investments Bank interest 145 58 203 191 149 340 _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ ____ Total other income 7,552 49,885 57,437 9,483 35,028 44,511 Charitable activities: 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Core activities

Grants 45,594 94,566 140,160 33,909 134,165 168,074 Fees and charges 39,113 - 39,113 38,909 457 39,366 Forums and events Grants - 6,905 6,905 - 5,928 5,928 Service delivery Grants - 217,191 217,191 - 182,950 182,950 Fees and charges - 8,803 8,803 - 9,881 9,881 _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ ____ Total income 84,707 327,465 412,172 72,818 333,381 406,199

- 20 -



3. EXPENDITURE

Direct Project Support Total Total

staff costs costs costs 2017 2016

Charitable activities £ £ £ £ £

Core activities 133,232 15,966 43,065 192,263 171,893

Forums and events 2,272 1,144 4,942 8,358 5,406

Service delivery 169,986 34,671 76,129 280,786 266,689

______ _____ ______ ______ ______

305,490 51,781 124,136 481,407 443,988

Total Total

Core Forums Service 2017 2016

Analysis of support costs

£ £ £ £ £

Support staff costs 15,619 3,281 28,868 47,768 43,822

Communications and IT 16,257 321 18,359 34,937 9,034

Depreciation 13 - 12 25 877

Financial costs 536 70 1,243 1,849 1,395

Printing and postage 1,615 211 6,506 8,332 7,929

Premises 5,581 933 16,018 22,532 25,665

Governance costs 3,444 126 5,123 8,693 7,375

_____ _____ ______ ______ _____

43,065 4,942 76,129 124,136 96,097

Split by funds 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Core activities 73,944 118,319 192,263 70,866 101,027 171,893 Forums and events - 8,358 8,358 - 5,406 5,406 Service delivery 280,786 280,786 - 266,689 266,689 _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ ____ 73,944 407,463 481,407 70,866 373,122 443,988

- 21 -



4. EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS

2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Staff costs 5,903 3,597 9,500 4,863 4,587 9,450 Support costs - 105 105 7 172 179 _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ ____ 5,903 3,702 9,605 4,870 4,759 9,629

5. SALARY COSTS

2017 2016

Salary costs during the year were as follows: £ £

Wages and salaries 305,196 311,798

Social security costs 19,143 18,802

Pension costs 22,174 28,673

______ ______

346,513 359,273

In 2017 and 2016 the pension contributions were paid into a defined contribution scheme. There were

no contributions prepaid or accrued (31 March 2016 - £nil).

The average number of employees during the year was as follows: 2017 2016

Calculated on the basis of full time equivalents 14.6 14.8

The average monthly headcount was 23 (2016: 23).

No employees received emoluments of more than £60,000 per annum (2016 - nil).

6. MOVEMENT IN TOTAL FUNDS FOR THE YEAR

2017 2016

This is stated after charging: £ £

Independent Examiner’s fee (including VAT) 2,542 2,641

Depreciation 33 940

- 22 -



7. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

None of the Trustees nor any persons connected with them received any remuneration or reimbursed

expenses during the year (2016 - £nil).

There were no payments of travel and subsistence expenses to trustees during the year (2016 - £nil).

During the year the charity has paid £6,624 (2015 - £6,880) for rent and £1,417 (2016 - £1,589) for

room hire and telephone from Ripon Community House Ltd. John Groves is also a director of Ripon

Community House Ltd.

8. FIXED ASSETS: TANGIBLE ASSETS

Vehicles Equipment Total

£ £ £

Cost

At 1 April 2016 27,488 13,738 41,226

_____ _____ _____

At 31 March 2017 27,488 13,738 41,226

_____ _____ _____

Depreciation

At 1 April 2016 27,488 13,705 41,193

Charge for the year - 33 33

_____ ____ _____

At 31 March 2017 27,488 13,738 41,226

_____ ____ _____

Net book value

At 31 March 2017 - - -

At 31 March 2016 - 33 33

9. DEBTORS

2017 2016

£ £

Debtors (accounts receivable) 8,394 27,398

Prepayments and accrued income 24,042 2,072

Other debtors 210 -

_____ _____

32,646 29,470

- 23 -



10. CREDITORS; AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR

2017 2016

£ £

Taxes and social security 5,090 5,872

Other creditors 1,228 379

Accruals 24,667 11,358

Deferred grant income 73,123 -

_____ _____

104,108 17,609

11. DEFERRED INCOME

2017 2016

£ £

Balance as at 1 April 2016 - -

Amount released to income - -

Amount deferred in year 73,123 -

_____ _____

Balance as at 31 March 2017 73,123 -

Deferred income comprises grants received in advance of the funding period.

- 24 -


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - 31 MARCH 2017 12. RESTRICTED FUNDS Transfers As at between As at 01.04.2016 Income Expenditure funds 31.03.2017 £ £ £ £ £ Core activities NYCC/NHS Grant – LSDO Single Funding Agreement - 50,268 (50,268) - - Stronger Communities - 7,350 (5,131) - 2,219 NYCC/NHS Grant – Volunteer Centre SFA - 14,569 (14,569) - - Community Information Directory 23,918 - (23,918) - - NCM Vanguard Programme 6,839 20,000 (26,839) - - Other volunteer development funding Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund 909 - (909) - - ESF - 2,379 (68) - 2,311 _____ ______ ______ _____ _____ 31,666 94,566 (121,702) - 4,530 _____ ______ ______ _____ _____ Forums RIPPSI 4,065 1,355 (1,205) - 4,215 C&YPEHWP - 2,550 (2,550) - - IAG Forum 1,820 3,000 (4,820) - - ____ _____ _____ ____ ____ 5,885 6,905 (8,575) - 4,215 ____ _____ _____ ____ ____ Service delivery Ripon & Rural Wellbeing Services Wellbeing - 94,963 (94,963) - - HELP – Harrogate Easier Living Project 16,662 22,986 (21,098) - 18,550 LSF - 61,422 (48,935) - 12,487 Help at Home 30,123 61,018 (82,568) - 8,573 Opening Doors 3,998 19,395 (20,189) - 3,204 Transport 8,888 16,095 (13,135) - 11,848 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 59,671 275,879 (280,888) - 54,662 ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ 97,222 377,350 (411,165) - 63,407

- 25 -



12. RESTRICTED FUNDS Restricted funds represent monies to be used for the following specific purposes: LSDO Restricted Funding

North Yorkshire and York Forum is the accountable body for the Single Funding Agreement between NYCC, North Yorkshire NHS CCG’s and the local support and development organisations (LSDO's) in the county. They receive the NYCC and NHS grants and then distribute them onto the local LSDO's based on an agreed funding formula. The Single Funding Agreement specifies that LSDO's treat these payments as restricted funds in our accounts Stronger Communities This is NYCC funding for a demonstration project to show how a community development approach can support community solutions to needs resulting from public sector funding cuts/service withdrawal. Volunteer Centre SFA North Yorkshire and York Forum is the accountable body for the Single Funding Agreement between NYCC, North Yorkshire NHS CCG’s and the local support and development organisations (LSDO's) in the county for the provision of Volunteer Centres. NYYF receive the NYCC and NHS grants and then distribute them onto the local LSDO's based on an agreed funding formula. The Single Funding Agreement specifies that LSDO's treat these payments as restricted funds in our accounts.

Harrogate District Community Information Directory A project to improve the search and the breadth of information stored in HARCVS’ online directory to ensure that everyone in the Harrogate District has quick and easy access to information on community organisations, activities and services which support good health and wellbeing. NHS New Care Models Vanguard Programme Support for active HARCVS involvement in this national programme which focuses on integrating local health and social care services. The aim is to strengthen partnership working with the voluntary and community sector to support people’s health and wellbeing, enabling them to access the right care, in the right place and at the right time.

North Yorkshire and York Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund

A project enabling people with an offending history to access and benefit from rewarding volunteering opportunities in North Yorkshire by upskilling Volunteer Managers to offer more inclusive volunteer roles. ESF Funding via Your Consortium for running three “Get set for volunteering” training courses in Ripon & Harrogate. RIPPSI Funding from NYCC for running costs of the Ripon Physical and Sensory Impairment Group.

C&YPEHWP: Children & Young People’s Emotional Health & Wellbeing Partnership

A multi-agency forum where organisations share and receive information and ideas about the

development and improvement of mental health services for children and young people.

Harrogate and District Independent Advisory Group Support to host this Group, which provides independent advice and feedback in relation to North

Yorkshire Police service delivery, particularly their policies and practices on hate crime.

- 26 -



12. RESTRICTED FUNDS – continued

Ripon and Rural Wellbeing Services

Supported by funding from NYCC for the provision of services to elderly and vulnerable people who live

alone or live with carers who are also vulnerable. The service provides regular visits by its service

project workers who keep a regular check on clients, offer emotional support and reassurance and also

provide information about other services available to give additional support.

Harrogate Easier Living Project

Supported by funding from NYCC and HBC to provide help with practical tasks for those who have

nobody else to support them. It incorporates the following services each with their own separate

restricted funding.

LSF

Grant from Big Lottery to investigate possible funding models for the HELP project’s long-term

sustainability.

Help at Home

This is a scheme to provide a gardening, decorating and DIY service to older and disabled people.

Opening Doors for Disabled People

This is a project to provide volunteer support to enable disabled and visually impaired people to get out

and about.

Transport

Supported by funding from NYCC to provide the following services:

Ripon Voluntary Car Driver Service

Operates in the Ripon area and is available principally to those who are elderly or disabled and are

unable to access public transport.

Driving Force

Operates in the Harrogate/Knaresborough area and is available principally to those who are elderly or

disabled and are unable to access public transport.

- 27 -



13. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fund balances at 31 March 2017 are represented by: Unrestricted Restricted

funds funds Total

£ £ £

Fixed assets - - -

Current assets 146,724 160,693 307,417

Creditors: Amounts falling due in less than one year (6,822) (97,286) (104,108)

______ ______ ______

Total net assets 139,902 63,407 203,309

14. CONTINGENT LIABILITY

The Charity has no contingent liabilities.

15. FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

The charity has an annual licence for the use of its premises. The licence can be cancelled by giving

three months notice. The total commitment under non-cancellable operating leases at 31 March 2017

was as follows:

2017 2016

£ £

Land and buildings

Expiry date:

Within 12 months 5,547 5,547

____ ____

5,547 5,547

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