Community Care North Bucks (CCNB) is a registered charity operating in North Bucks.
The Charity has four main activities: –
- A Hospital Car Service
- A support group for adult carers (aged 18 plus)
- A support group and club for young carers (for carers under 18).
- Open House, a support group for ex carers.
A Board of Trustees, appointed by the membership of CCNB, oversees the governance and management of the Charity. They govern the Charity within the object set out in the Constitution, which states: –
“To promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the inhabitants of North Bucks, and to advance education, protect and preserve health and relieve poverty, sickness and distress.”
The Trustees confirm they have referred to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when reviewing and monitoring the activities of CCNB. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no private benefit from the work of the Charity. Services provide benefits which are either free or subsidised to ensure anyone can access them.
The Trustees review all the policies and procedures of the Charity annually or earlier if needed. These include a risk assessment so that risks to the Charity are identified and managed.
The Charity is run by volunteers: there are no paid staff. At present there are 75 volunteers involved.
CCNB is funded through grants, local fundraising and subsided charges from patients using the Hospital Car Service.
The economic landscape continues to be uncertain and Trustees have kept the finances of the charity under constant review. It is good to report that the finances do remain in a good position. Income for the year was £48198.56 with expenditure at £48788.80 leaving a small deficit of £590.24. With our reserves we are carrying forward £67000 which equates to 16 months expenditure. Our aim for 2016/17 was to achieve a balanced budget which, as can be seen, was virtually achieved.
The Trustees have an agreed reserves policy which is reviewed each year. The funding received by CCNB is not consistent throughout the year. Grants applied for can be unsuccessful as well as successful. Trustees have determined therefore to maintain a charity reserve of two years expenditure. A specific action plan is required if the reserves fall to 6 months. At present the reserves stand at 16 months
This level of reserve will provide a sufficient buffer to maintain the service provided should funding decrease or cease for a period
We are grateful to those who have supported us financially during the past year. Full details of all those who have supported us during the year will appear on our new web site later in the year
At the AGM last year six key objectives were set out that CCNB needed to meet in the coming year.
They were :
i) To complete the policies review.
ii) To agree a specification for a new web site and implement
iii) Having identified the skills needed for the Trustee board to start the process of seeking new Trustees with those skills.
iv) To monitor the financial implications of the brexit vote and respond as necessary
v) To continue to recruit volunteers to meet the growing demands right across the charity.
vi) To complete the application for CIO status for the charity.
I report on each of these:
i) The policy review was completed and the revised policies are in place
ii) The specification for a new web site was agreed and three quotes were received. The web site is currently being designed/developed by the successful provider.
iii) Trustee have recruited Lauren Taylor who will handle marketing and communication including running the new web site.
iv) We now know the result of the brexit vote so will need to be watchful though the impact of the recent general election might be more immediate
v) Recruitment remains a big issue for us, we will certainly be using the new web site and social media more from now on.
vi) We successfully applied to become a CIO and the new charity operated from April 1st.
Reports from each wing of the Charity will be presented at the meeting and attached to the minutes of the AGM.
The overall picture is of continued growth, especially in the Hospital Car Service and Young Carers, and this growth brings additional challenges. The nature of the Hospital Car Service trips is changing with an increasing number of longer journeys, an issue we will be addressing in the year ahead. The Car Service led a pilot for a car parking permit scheme led jointly by CCNB, Buckinghamshire Health Trust and Community Impact Bucks. A report has recently been published which showed the pilot was successful and the findings are now being considered.
Young Carers have reached the current limit of 60, a significant increase, and the pressures on administration are considerable. Consideration will be given to employing someone to handle the increased work load.
Open House and Adult Carers continue to provide an excellent service to current carers and those who sadly have lost the person they have been caring for, often over many years.
Looking to 2017/18 the following are key objectives:
- To complete the introduction of the new web site and develop its potential.
- To establish the procedures to ensure the CIO is operating in accordance with the governing document.
- To develop a marketing and communications strategy
- To actively pursue recruitment of volunteers. including within the marketing and communications strategy.
- To recruit a Trustee with current HR experience
- To achieve a surplus budget within the current reserves policy.
The 2016/17 year has been challenging on a number of fronts and it is important to place on record the thanks, on behalf of the Trustees, to the many volunteers who have worked so tirelessly to help others. Without the willingness and commitment of our volunteers we could not run the services we provide to so many in our community.
So this is the final report of the old charity, number 803013 : the first AGM of the new Charity will be July 2018.
KC