PELLS_POOL_COMMUNITY_ASSO - Accounts

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity'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 accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake to provide a public benefit.

The season started in early May - a welcome return to our usual timetable - but very much in the shadow of Covid-19. However, as legislation and guidance changed and the summer progressed we were able to offer a more user-friendly approach. At the beginning we could not offer a full season ticket but we did introduce a 'class pass' system for buying multiple tickets at discounted prices. We were also able to offer concessionary rates for swimmers in receipt of benefits.

Unlike some UK swimming pools, we had managed to open in the Summer of 2020 but many restrictions applied – such as payment by card-only and changing rooms closed. Thankfully, in 2021 children over 10-years-old were able to come unaccompanied by an adult; booking sessions in person at the kiosk and cash payments for single entrance became available; changing rooms could be opened while rigorous cleaning continued. We kept to the same timetable of sessions as in 2020 but did increase the numbers of entrants per session and remove lanes for some sessions, whilst continuing to limit the numbers in order to enable social distancing and protect the water quality.

We introduced two new initiatives with reference to the PPCA’s commitment to widening access and creating opportunities; one offered free sessions to swimmers referred by Foundry Healthcare - the local GP practice - and another to families identified as in need by local schools and the Lewes food banks support network. These were supported by the Enjoolata Charity and another local charity which did not wish to be named.

There was a calm and happy atmosphere at the pool throughout the summer season; staff and committee members were appreciative of the positive comments and online reviews given by many swimmers. The online booking system, introduced of necessity in 2021, ensured queuing was avoided and appropriate staffing levels were maintained and adapted according to numbers. Even on poor weather days numbers held up. Special events such as the solstice and midnight swims sold out.

The summer season ended on Sunday 12 September and we re-opened for the autumn the following day, with reduced hours and staffing but excellent attendance. During the pandemic, we have appreciated the support of the Friends of Pells Pool; they were invited to a free evening swim by way of thanks. The following Saturday was sunny and we had a record autumn attendance of 350. The autumn season officially ended on Sunday 31 October but for the first time we held a Bonfire Swim on the morning of November 5th with 75 tickets sold. The popularity of cold water swimming, and the wearing of wet suits, continues to grow and have an impact.

The income generated throughout the seasons was above expectations and will enable prices to be kept at very reasonable rates for 2022 and multiple class passes. Towards the end of the year, seven letters were received concerned that the booking system and absence of season tickets had removed spontaneous swims and that people from outside the area were taking up places. The reply they received emphasised the benefits of the booking system and that anyone coming to the kiosk in person could be booked in by staff, if slots were available. The objects of the Town Brook Trust, for which we run the pool, states the facility is for ‘The inhabitants of the district of Lewes …and such members of the public as desire to and can conveniently make use of the facility provided by the charity’. The PPCA committee voted by a majority to continue the online booking system.

Since it has become apparent that we cannot rely on developers of the North Street Quarter to incorporate the Pells Pool into a flood protection scheme it has been decided to re-activate our plans to develop the kiosk as a flood resilient building. A meeting with the Town Council has been arranged and we hope to move forward with the project together in due course.

Sadly, this successful year was been marred by one tragedy when a regular swimmer suffered a heart attack at the pool; despite best efforts - and a heart defibrillator on site - he could not be saved. The emergency services praised the involvement of pool manager Phil Ransley, as did the family of the victim. We are so sorry for their loss.

Lately we have been reviewing best practice for charities such as ours and realise that the committee of trustees should be 'refreshed'. Our most long standing members have offered to stand down as trustees and make way for five new board members, ideally to fill the following roles: Company Secretary, Treasurer, Community Outreach, Employment/ Human Resources and someone with a background in building work and / or architecture (since renewing the kiosk is firmly on our agenda for the future).

Thanks must go to Russell Beck, Wendy Stonestreet, Ruth O'Keefe, Fiona Marsden and Conrad Ryle for their many years of dedicated support to the Pells Pool, some dating back 20 years when the pool was saved from closure. They will be standing down as trustees at the AGM on May 23 2022 this year. It is understood that the remaining trustees may request the continued involvement of those who are resigning in order to ensure a smooth transition as new trustees are integrated into the committee.

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

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Pells Pool Community Association (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 5 to 18.

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

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 December 2021.

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 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.

Pells Pool Community Association is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Pell Pool, Brook Street, Lewes, BN7 2BA.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

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

The trustees have assessed whether the going concern basis of preparation continues to be appropriate, based on whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the company to continue as a going concern. This assessment has been required in the light of the significant uncertainty around the short to medium impact of the Covid-19 virus.

At the time of approving the financial statements the trustees believe that all appropriate measures have been or will be taken to ensure that the charity will be able to continue its operations for at least the next 12 months and thus conclude that the going concern basis remains appropriate.

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

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:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

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

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Unrestricted funds - Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charity's objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose.

Further details of each fund are detailed in note 15.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any discounts due.

Creditors

Creditors with no stated interest rate and payable within one year are recorded at transaction price.

Swims for Wellbeing

Printing, postage, stationery and telephone

Support costs

Bookkeeping

Support costs

Bank and credit card charges

Support costs

Independent examiners fee

Trustee expenses

Under the provisions of the governing document of the Charity, Trustee Sally Webb was paid £4,180 for book-keeping and payroll services, provided during the year (2020 - £2,910).

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any reimbursement for expenses incurred during the year. (2020 - £101).

As the pool is only open for part of the year there are only two full time employees. The charity also employed 8 (2020 - 5) part time employees who undertake lifeguard duty throughout the season.

There were no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more.

Other than Trustee Remuneration as disclosed separately, there were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2020- none).