The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021. The financial statements have been presented on a group basis. On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes contained within.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's 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) (effective 1 January 2015)”
Public Benefit Statement
In line with GRCC’s Mission Statement all activities focus on our vision of active communities shaping their own futures. This is achieved through direct work with communities, our local knowledge, networks, professional services and our influencing role. In all work, due regard is given to the Charity Commission’s published guidance and to GRCC’s values.
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated April 1996, but originally registered as a charity in May 1923. In 1996 the company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.
In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles are known as members of the Board of Trustees. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Board of Trustees are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. They may serve for a maximum of three terms, plus an additional one year in exceptional circumstances.
Due to the nature of the Charity’s work in and with the communities of Gloucestershire the Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that the needs of these communities are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trustee body. Trustees work together to address succession planning, and co-option is used as required before taking proposals to members at Annual General Meetings. A range of methods are adopted to attract new Trustees, including formal and informal approaches and open recruitment, and interviews undertaken to establish suitability.
The more traditional business and technical skills are well represented on the Board of Trustees. In an effort to maintain this broad skill mix, members of the Board of Trustees are asked to complete a register of their skills and this is refreshed annually, so that any gaps can be identified and filled. This ensures that a balance of skills is maintained. Trustees also complete an annual self-assessment survey to examine their own and the Board’s performance.
Trustee Induction and Training
All Trustees are expected to undertake the necessary training to meet the requirements of a Trustee of a Charity therefore all Trustees are expected to take part in GRCC’s Trustee induction programme. GRCC Away Days, involving Trustees, staff and volunteers, enable concentrated time for forward planning and Trustees are encouraged to take advantage of GRCC training. Trustees are also encouraged to undertake other relevant Governance training and to attend regional and national events on behalf of the organisation.
At their formal induction, Trustees receive a Trustee Induction pack which provides essential information about GRCC such as its history and project areas, Business Plan, Memorandum and Articles of Association, the latest financial statements, GRCC publications and publicity information. In order to clarify Trustees’ roles, the pack also draws on information from a variety of recognised publications e.g. the Charity Commission publication “the Essential Trustee”. All Trustees, on induction, are required to complete documentation relating to eligibility to serve and potential conflicts of interests and these are refreshed annually or when circumstances change.
Organisational Structure
The charity is controlled by the Board of Trustees who meet four times per year attended by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Responsibility for day to day management is delegated to the Chief Executive supported by the SLT.
The CEO reports to the Chair and the Board of Trustees and is charged with implementing Board Policy, ensuring compliance and ensuring that the Charity delivers the services specified and that KPI's are met.
The Senior Leadership Team during 2020-21 consisted of:
Ms Janice Banks – Chief Executive Officer
Mr Russell Hayward – Head of Finance & Resources
Mrs Barbara Pond – Head of Operations & Business Development
Mrs Angela Gilbert – Community Development Team Manager
During 2020-21 the SLT met monthly and a full Staff Team Meeting was also held monthly (except for April and May 2020) to share information, discuss topics in detail and check progress of key elements of GRCC work. The Team Meetings were held online from March onwards as staff were working from home in accordance with Government requirements.
The Board of Trustees annually reviews the strategic direction of GRCC which is encapsulated in the vision, mission and values below. The strategic objectives inform the annual business plan which forms the basis of the activity throughout the year.
Vision
Fully engaged and empowered communities.
Mission
To inspire, support and deliver community action.
Values
• Integrity
• Independent
• Inclusive
• Inspiring
• Empowering
Strategic objectives
1. Strengthen communities to develop vibrant and sustainable places to live and work.
2. Become the first choice organisation for VCSE sector support and training across Gloucestershire.
3. Become the leading voice for rural communities in Gloucestershire.
4. Develop GRCC as a sustainable and essential organisation.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
1. Strengthen communities to develop vibrant and sustainable places to live and work
Our two GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Project Navigator Developers continued to support their participants in the Lottery and EU-funded programme online and by telephone. Participants were helped to learn how to use video calling and signposted to online training, and the North Cotswolds Job Club was successfully transferred to an online activity. The project’s success has resulted in its extension for a further year.
GRCC ran a series of workshops to support village and community hall committees in understanding government guidance and their responsibilities in order to operate (when allowed) in a Covid-secure manner. Extensive one-to-one support was provided by email and telephone, as well as a regular e-newsletter sent out to our Community Buildings Network. Gloucester Diocese also approached GRCC to run sessions specifically for church halls on Covid-safe reopening.
GRCC also supported a number of community initiatives, providing advice and support to groups developing projects for their neighbourhoods, such as a Wellbeing Action Group aiming to provide health and wellbeing support for the most vulnerable in their area; running workshops and helping clarify rules and regulations on how communities identify and prioritise Community Infrastructure Levy spend; providing bespoke advice to groups moving forward community-led planning initiatives including Neighbourhood Development Plans; and supporting communities with their emergency planning, particularly in Tewkesbury where GRCC runs the Flood Wardens scheme.
Key points and outcomes:
273 current and former vulnerable and shielding clients of Cotswold CWS provided with telephone and online support, including befriending calls, to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation during initial Covid lockdown
678 individuals in total supported by GRCC’s CWS
GRCC was awarded Gold level in the Green Impact Assessment in May 2020. This is a sustainability initiative led by the NUS and administered by University of Gloucestershire
GRCC Navigator Developer provided training to other Navigator Developers across the county to enable them to run online job clubs
220 attendees at GRCC Community Buildings Network online events and workshops; 427 subscribers to the Community Buildings Network mailing list, up 80.2% since June 2020
One-to-one bespoke advice and support was provided to 104 community building management committees
A public works consultation was conducted on behalf of a town council interested in developing a parking and transport centre, and a community survey was conducted on behalf of a parish council looking at options for redeveloping their village hall.
2.Become the first choice organisation for VCSE sector support and training across Gloucestershire
Adapting GRCC’s support and delivery model to cope with the restrictions of the pandemic was a challenge which we succeeded in meeting. All support was provided online or by telephone which ultimately enabled us to connect directly with more VCSE organisations and volunteers than would have been practical in person.
The profile of volunteering greatly increased in the early days of the pandemic. Support and advice was provided on Covid rules, volunteering, governance, and other matters to the new Covid-related support and good neighbours groups developed in communities across Gloucestershire. GRCC continues to support those groups looking to develop into long-term sustainable organisations for the benefit of their communities. We have also been actively involved in the Enabling Active Communities Volunteering Working Group, looking at how volunteering infrastructure can be improved and supported across the county.
Our networks and forums, facilitating peer learning and support across the county, continued to grow as all meetings were moved online. Some members found it easier to attend more regularly than to travel to in person meetings. The Know Your Patch Networks, established by Gloucestershire County Council in 2018 and two of which are hosted by GRCC, continue to encourage effective partnership working between VCSE, statutory and private sector organisations working in the Adult Social Care sector.
Key statistics and outcomes:
501 attendees at GRCC networks for the VCSE sector
224 subscribers to the Cheltenham KYP Network (up 31.8% since April 2020); 300 subscribers to the Cotswold KYP Network (up 160.9% since April 2020); 273 subscribers to VCS updates mailing list (up 25.2% since April 2020)
78 VCSE organisations received one-to-one bespoke advice and support from GRCC
3.Become the leading voice for rural communities in Gloucestershire
GRCC is part of the ACRE Network (the England-wide network of rural community councils) through which we receive funding from Defra to advance Defra’s rural priorities. The priorities for 2020/21 were: Digital Infrastructure; Digital Skills and Inclusion; Rural Life Opportunities; Social Infrastructure; Rural Transport; Affordable Energy; Housing and Planning; Business Support and Social Enterprise Development. GRCC undertook a wide range of activities to support these priorities.
As a rural specialist, GRCC is recognised as a contributor at a strategic level in Gloucestershire and therefore is a member of or has contributed to a number of key groups and partnerships. These include the GFirst LEP Agri-Tech Food and Business network, Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership, the Naturally Healthy Leadership Group, and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) planning group.
GRCC has been a partner with FWAG SW (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group South West) in the Defra Environmental Land Management Systems (ELMS) Trial, supporting communities to engage with the project. GRCC’s final report on the community engagement activities will feed into CCRI’s final evaluation for submission to Defra.
During the initial Covid lockdown it became apparent that there are issues of both food poverty and food deserts in the county. As a member of the GFirst LEP Agri-Tech Food and Business network, GRCC contributed to the development of a successful bid for funding for stage one of Gloucestershire Food Revolution, a countywide partnership to support development of food production and distribution. GRCC is now working with partners on food poverty as part of the project’s Health and Wellbeing work area.
Investment Policy
Any operating funds within the financial year that are not required immediately are invested in COIF Deposit Account. The Charity’s Endowments Funds are invested in named COIF and Dynamic Cash Management accounts, other than the Goodeve Legacy which is invested in MG Charifund.
It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at not less than 6 months’ operating costs, plus a provision for employment liabilities. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Based on the accounts to 31 March 2021 this target level would be £162,925, whilst freely available unrestricted reserves are shown as £629,039. The Charity also holds £39,349 in restricted funds and a permanent endowment of £47,883.
GRCC owns Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester (all but “The Archway” room over the flying freehold into Miller’s Green). The latest freehold valuation has indicated a RICS “Red Book” figure of around £400,000, as against a net book value of £11,661.
Risk Management
The Board of Trustees maintains a risk register and has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risk. GRCC systems and procedures have been reviewed in conjunction with staff and trustees in order to mitigate risks to the Charity.
GRCC is developing future areas of work in response to local need. The Charity continues to have available for use its Trading subsidiary “ GRCC Solutions Ltd” as appropriate.
Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers, clients and visitors to the offices of GRCC and regular reports are produced for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, for discussion and action.
Plans for Future Periods
GRCC reviewed its Strategic Plan for 2020-2021 and approved an operational continuity plan. The process drew out key objectives and actions for the year, reflecting the difficult and evolving situation relating to the pandemic response and recovery and its impact on the organisation in terms of business continuity. Mrs Janice Banks stepped down as Chief Executive Officer in April 2021 following a successful recruitment process and handover.
Related Parties
GRCC is a founder member of ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), the national association of RCCs.
Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus to GRCC in August 2020. GRCC is the sole member of Independence Trust.
In so far as it is complementary to the Charity’s objects, the Charity is guided by both local and national policy. The continued representation of GRCC on local partnerships and organisations has proved invaluable to the Charity in establishing improved links within the community and identifying relevant policy developments and prospective funding.
Griffiths Marshall were re-appointed as the charitable company’s auditors during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity .
The Trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees' r eport; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the s tatement of Trustees' r esponsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below .
We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and the industry in which it operates and, considered the risk of acts by Management and directors of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. These included but were not limited to compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and Employment Law. We made enquiries of the Directors to obtain further understanding of risks of non-compliance.
We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements. Our tests included, but were not limited to:
agreement of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
enquiries of management regarding known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
review of minutes of the Board meetings throughout the year; and
obtaining an understanding of the control environment in place to prevent and detect irregularities.
Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http s ://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Voluntary Income
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LZ.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Trust 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 a mounts 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 financial statements have been presented on a group basis. On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes to 31 March 2021 contained within.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds represent grants received for specific purposes, less revenue expenditure incurred. Where the grant was received for capital purposes, the expenditure has been capitalised and is included in fixed assets.
Endowment funds represents the net assets, including unrealised gains on the investment of the Goodeve Legacy.
Legacies, donations, gifts and bank interest are accounted for when they are received unless amounts receivable can be determined with reasonable accuracy.
Income from sales of donated goods is recognised when the goods are sold.
Grant income:
· Grants received for specific purposes are recorded as restricted grants in the period in which the grant related as directed by the donor.
· Grants received for a specific future period are recorded as restricted grants when received but deferred and held as a creditor until the period in which they relate.
· Grants which relate to performance and specific deliverables are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
Income is deferred when the donor specifies the income is for a future period or applies conditions that cannot be met until a future period.
Endowment fund income is unrestricted.
Expenditure is recorded on the accruals basis and liabilities are included when the legal obligation has been created.
Expenditure in charitable activities represents the costs incurred in carrying out the charitable objectives of the project.
Governance costs represent the cost of general administration functions of the charity.
Basis of apportionment of expenditure:
· Staff costs are allocated on a basis of time spent on each category of activity.
· Premises costs are allocated to direct charitable support costs.
· Depreciation provision is allocated on the basis of use of the assets.
· All other overheads are allocated to projects as a percentage of direct expenditure.
As a registered charity, the activities are generally exempt from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax in connection with its direct charitable purpose, but not from VAT.
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 net income/(expenditure) for the year.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year . Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
Entities in which the charity has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities .
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 p aymen ts 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.
Deferred income
Income is deferred when the donor specifies the income is for a future period or applies conditions that cannot be met until a future period.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Voluntary Income
Grants receivable
Voluntary Income
Training Income
Project funding
Consultancy income
Costs of generating funds
Office service costs
Costs of generating funds
Charitable expenditure
Support costs
Other costs
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year .
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Unlisted Investments
Unlisted investments includes an endowment fund held with M&G investments. The fund is held at fair value with an any gain or loss recognised in the SOFA.
GRCC invested £3,000 into Cirican LLP (OC429471) as part of a collaborative effort by 18 rural community councils to provide research and consultancy services. The partnership is registered at Community House, 15 College Green, Gloucester, United Kingdom, GL1 2LZ
Cirican LLP is deemed an associate to GRCC but the results are immaterial to the consolidated group accounts. As at 31 March 2021 the partnership net assets were £50,971 and in the period to 31 March 2021 the partnership made a loss of £3,029.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £56,807 (2020 - £32,929).
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Transfers
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
GRCC Solutions Ltd
The charity controls GRCC Solutions Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, by way of the directors. There is a deed of covenant in place to donate profits to GRCC. At the end of the year GRCC owed GRCC Solutions £10 (2020 - GRCC Solutions owed GRCC £827).
Independence Trust
On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust will form part of the consolidated group accounts of Gloucestershire Rural Community Council to 31 March 2021.
Previously Independence Trust charged Connexus Two Limited for delivery of a number of Independent Living Services, (2020 - £524,105) in 2021 no services were provided.
In the period Gloucestershire Rural Community Council charged Independent Trust £83,300 for management and overhead services.
On 17 August 2020 the control of Independence Trust was transferred from Connexus Housing Two Limited to Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. The accounts of Independence Trust form part of the consolidated group accounts and notes to 31 March 2021 contained within. Full accounts for Independence Trust as a standalone entity can be obtained from the groups registered office.
Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2021 are as follows:
The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its and loss account in these financial statements. The deficit generated by the parent charity for the period was £17,131 (2020 - £14,423).