FINANCE, AUDIT & RISK / AGM, ACCOUNTS & ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORTS & FINANCIAL STATEMENT / COMPANY ACCOUNTS
The most recent Advantage Multi-Academy Trust (trading as Berkeley Academy) was held on Wednesday, 7 December 2022.
There were no resolutions proposed, other than a member vote on appointing Councillor Daanish Saeed as an additional 'Member' for Advantage Multi-Academy Trust (also known as ADMAT) with effect from 1 February 2023, which was UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED by the members as a succession planning safeguard.
When there is an even number of Members voting, the Member's Chair (Roger Owen) would have the casting vote in the case of a tied vote that cannot be resolved. Philip Dobison, Chair of Trustees, is the Vice-Chair of Members.
The minutes of the previous meeting were UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.
The Annual Report and Accounts were received and UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED for: Advantage Multi-Academy Trust
These were presented by the CFO, following a post-audit meeting with Alliots.
The External Audit Report for 2021-2022 was also reviewed and management comments were UNANIMOUSLY AGREED.
The audit methodology can be found within the external audit report (below).
The AGM NOTED that all audit issues from the previous year had been resolved.
The AGM NOTED that there was one grade 2 (significant but less urgent) recommendation relating to recording of hourly rates for casual staff made which means they pose little risk and could be addressed within the agreed timescale. There was no case of any person being paid the wrong amount.
The AGM NOTED that there were no other (grade 1 or grade 3) recommendations for 2021-22.
Alliotts was unanimously re-appointed for 2022-23 as the academy's Independent, External Auditors.
Williams Giles was unanimously re-appointed for 2022-23 as the academy's Independent, 'Responsible Officer' (Internal Auditors).
The AGM unanimously confirmed the auditors' fees for Alliots and Williams Giles and noted the retainer fees for Legal services contracted to Winckworth Sherwood.
The AGM NOTED that no new charity trustees had been appointed in 2021-22 and that no appointments are proposed pending clarification of which parts of the, recently withdrawn, Education Bill will be 'pursued by other means'.
The annual report and financial statements were submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) on 31 December 2022 at 01.01 and a receipt received.
The accounts for Advantage Mult-Academy Trust – trading as Berkeley Academy up to the previous 31 August will also filed be with Companies House by 31 May each year.
The filing history for Advantage Mult-Academy Trust – trading as Berkeley Academy (Company Number 10969334) may be found HERE
The annual reports and financial statements for at least the previous two financial years (September - August) are also always available on this web page (see below).
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) 2023The annual report and company accounts for the financial year (up to 31 August each year) are discussed and agreed annually at the academy's Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is open to the public and normally held in December each year. The date, time, location, and agenda for the next AGM is advertised in advance on this website (HERE). Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting for: ADVANTAGE MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST (ADMAT), trading as Berkeley Academy. ... will be held with the public and externals attending in person in accordance with any necessary community health precautions in winter 2023/24 Date of the next meeting: Thursday, 7 December 2023Time of the meeting: 5:00 p.m.Venue for the meeting: TW5 9PD, CCC CONFERENCE ROOM 1 TO ATTEND THE MEETING: You must register at least 48 hours in advance by providing your name, email address, phone number and connection with the academy on an email to clerking@berkeleyacademy.org.uk (Company Secretary & Governance Professional) PROPOSING RESOLUTIONS Please notify the Company Secretary if you wish to propose a resolution:
Proposed resolutions MUST be correctly received by 12 noon on Thursday, 23 November 2023 Important Note: Members are entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf at the AGM. AGM AGENDA1. Minutes of previous meeting(s) 2. Reports and Accounts DRAFT Annual Accounts & Annual Reports 2022-23 will be presented at the meeting by the Chair / CFO 3. Auditors To review, re-appoint or agree to procure external auditors (Currently Alliotts) / Internal Auditors (Currently Williams Giles) 4. Auditors’ remuneration Confirmation of auditors’ fees (presented at the meeting by the CFO) 5. Appointment of Charity trustees Appointment, confirming appointments in the year and nominations (Details will be included in the Annual Report, on this website and on the GIAS website. 6. Members proposed resolutions Details will be given once proposed resolutions are received. Proposed resolutions should be sent to the Secretary by noon (14 days prior to the date of meeting). A revised agenda may be issued by (7 days prior to the meeting) if necessary. The annual report and accounts are submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), normally by the following 31 December, and filed with Companies House normally by the following 31 May. From 2020 onwards, the annual reports and financial statements for the previous two financial years (September - August) will always be available on this web page (see above). |
Academy Trusts are independent charitable companies and are required to prepare an annual report and financial statements to the 31 August each year. The academy financial year mirrors the academic year (i.e., from 1 September to 31 August).
After the financial year end, these accounts are audited by independent registered auditors. They are also discussed and agreed annually at the academy's Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is open to the public and normally held in December each year. The date, time, location, and agenda for the AGM is advertised in advance on this website.
The attendance in the current year is published, once minutes have been agreed at a subsequent meeting (in person, or via communications media), on the 'Trustees and Key Staff' page of this website,
The annual report and accounts are submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), normally in the following December/January, and filed with Companies House.
From 2020 onwards, the annual reports and financial statements for the previous two financial years (September - August) will always be available on this web page.
The webpage will be updated annually once the accounts have been agreed at the AGM and submitted to the ESFA and Companies House (normally in January therefore)
Annual Reports and Financial Statements
2022-23 NOT YET AVAILABLE
The accounts and annual report (submitted to the ESFA) are signed by the Chair of the Academy Trust, the academy's Accounting Officer and the academy's independent, external auditors (Alliotts) along with the Letter of Representation (LOR) 2022 following the AGM.
The annual report also contains a summary of trustee attendance for each whole financial year.
The attendance in the current year is published, once minutes have been agreed at a subsequent meeting (in person, or via communications media), on the 'Trustees and Key Staff' page of this website.
Summary Register of Interests Declared by Trustees
The up to date summary register of interests of the Members, Trustees and the Accounting Officer of the Academy can each be found on the 'Trustees and Key Staff' page of this website CLICK HERE
Signed Documents Received by the Clerk 2021-22
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2021-2022 |
Annual Declaration of Interest(s) |
Disqualification from Serving on a GB/AT |
Protocol for the Academy Trust |
Financial management Competencies |
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Phil Dobison (Chair) |
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Veronique Gerber |
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Peter Stumpf |
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Mudassir Sarwar |
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Daksha Shastri |
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Jonathan (Mike) Rose |
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Signed Documents Received by the Clerk 2022-23
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2022-2023 |
Annual Declaration of Interest(s) |
Disqualification from Serving on a GB/AT |
Protocol for the Academy Trust |
Financial management Competencies |
|
Phil Dobison (Chair) |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Veronique Gerber |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Peter Stumpf |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Mudassir Sarwar |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Daksha Shastri |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Jonathan (Mike) Rose |
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Signed Documents Received by the Clerk 2023-24 (CURRENT)
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2023-2024 |
Annual Declaration of Interest(s) |
Disqualification from Serving on a GB/AT |
Protocol for the Academy Trust |
Financial management Competencies |
|
Phil Dobison (Chair) |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Veronique Gerber |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Peter Stumpf |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Mudassir Sarwar |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
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Jonathan (Mike) Rose |
√ |
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√ |
√ |
Academies Financial Handbook (AFH) and Advantage Multi Academy Trust's Local Financial Procedures & Guidance (LFPG).
The Academies Financial Handbook (AFH), now known as the Academies Trust Handbook (ATH), is reviewed, updated if necessary, and published annually by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), normally late in the summer term each year for implementation from 1 September each year.
The AFH is designed to help Academy Trusts to understand and comply with public standards of financial accountability.
The AFH sets out the financial management, controls and reporting requirements which apply to Academy Trusts.
The annually updated AFH takes effect from 1 September each year and is normally posted on the website on or before that date.
The updated version is reviewed and ratified by the Academy Trust along with Advantage Multi Academy Trust's Local Financial Procedures and Guidance (LFPG), normally in October or November as confirmation that the changes have been noted and understood.
Together, the AFH and the LFPG ensure that there is an adequate framework of monitoring, controls, procedures, and policies:
- To ensure excellent financial management and sensible investment,
- To deter and prevent fraud,
- To demonstrate probity,
- To encourage good value for money, and
- To achieve Advantage Multi Academy Trust's local vision, objects, aims, and ambitions.
Advantage Multi Academy Trust's local financial procedures and guidance (LFPG) determines the practical detail necessary to complement the strategic and broad content set out in the Academies Financial / Trust Handbook and to achieve the academy's local vision and objects.
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2023-24 The ATH 2023 should be read in conjunction with ADMAT’s contemporaneous LFPG 2023-24 (UNCHANGED) The Internal Audit Report for 2023-24 may be found HERE (NOVEMBER 2024). NOT AVAILABLE YET.The External Audit Report (FY 2023-24), with Management Responses may be found HERE (circa December 2024). NOT AVAILABLE YET.
2022-23 The ATH 2022 should be read in conjunction with ADMAT's contemporaneous LFPG 2022-23 The Internal Audit Report for 2022-23 may be found HERE (By 1 NOVEMBER 2023) The External Audit Report (FY 2022-23), with Management Responses may be found HERE (December 2023). NOT AVAILABLE YET.
ARCHIVE 2021-22 Click here for the ATH 2021 (1 September 2021) The ATH 2021 should be read in conjunction with ADMAT's contemporaneous LFPG 2021-22 (1 September 2021) The Internal Audit Report for 2021-22 may be found HERE (1 NOVEMBER 2022) The External Audit Report (FY 2021-22), with Management Responses may be found HERE (December 2022) |
The Academy Trust maintains other strategic documentation in the Trustee's Secure Area of this website such as the academy's:
- Articles of Association
- Memorandum of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
- ADMAT MASTER Funding Agreement
- Berkeley Supplementary Funding Agreement
- Sponsor Approval
- 125 Year Site Lease
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The ATB UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT 'NO CHANGES' ARE REQUIRED TO THESE DOCUMENTS FOR 2022-23 AND 2023-24. They will roll forward from previous years without amendment and be denoted 2022-2024 with the next envisaged review due in Autumn 2024, unless stated otherwise or required earlier. Current Terms of Reference: Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee. The Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee terms of reference may be found HERE Current Terms of Reference: Finance and Monitoring Committee. The Finance and Monitoring Committee terms of reference may be found HERE Current Terms of Reference: Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Health and Safety Committee. The Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Health and Safety Committee terms of reference may be found HERE The Current Anti-Fraud Policy Checklist. The anti-fraud checklist can be found HERE The Current Conflicts of Interest Policy. The Conflicts of Interest Policy may be found HERE The Current Charging and Remissions Policy. The Charging & Remissions Policy may be found HERE The Current Trustee Conduct Protocols. The trust board protocols can be found HERE The Current Chair and Vice Chair Election Procedures: These can be found HERE The Current DBS & Disqualification Declaration Tool: These can be found HERE The Current Skills Audit Tool. The Annual Skills Audit Tool can be found HERE The Current Financial Competencies Audit Tool. The Annual Financial Competencies Audit Tool can be found HERE The Current Critical Incident, Contingency and Recovery Plan. The plan can be found HERE ESFA 'Musts' Questionnaire. The ESFA 'Musts' questionnaire can be found HERE The Current Scheme of Delegation. The scheme of delegation may be found HERE All Reviewed: November 2022 (see minutes) & October 2023 (minutes published in December 2023) |
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Whistleblowing Policy (Current) General Principles: Whistleblowing encourages and enables employees to raise any serious concerns within the academy rather than overlooking a problem or ‘blowing the whistle’ outside. A full copy of the current policy is posted in the staff secure area of the academy's website, along with the full range of HR policies and procedures and other important employee information. The purposes of the academy's Whistleblowing Policy are:
Where it is decided that further action is necessary, this will be conducted under the appropriate HR policy. It is the duty of all colleagues to raise any serious concerns about known, or probable wrongdoing through this policy. Colleagues who reasonably raise a genuine concern without malice will not be at risk of losing their job or suffering any form of retribution as a result. If colleagues make malicious or deliberately disproportionate allegations or use the policy for harassment of other colleagues or for personal gain, action may be considered under the disciplinary policy. Complaints relating to an individual’s personal circumstances should not be raised under the whistleblowing policy. Where colleagues are aggrieved about issues directly affecting them, they should use the academy's Grievance Procedure to pursue their concerns which can also be found, along with all HR policies, in the staff secure area of the academy's website. If an employee has a genuine concern about suspected serious wrongdoing at work, they should report it, and may do so under this Policy. ‘Wrongdoing’ covers a wide range of matters including criminal offences, failure to comply with legal obligations, miscarriages of justice, financial maladministration, endangering the health or safety of individuals and damage to the environment. It additionally covers the deliberate concealment of any of the foregoing. The ATB HAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO NO CHANGES TO THE POLICY FOR 2022-23 and 2023-24 The full Whistleblowing Policy 2022-2024 can be found HERE
Other Trust Policies may be found on the Key Policies page and/or the relevant page (e.g., Admissions) |
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RISK REGISTER (may change throughout the year by agreement between the Chair and Accounting Officer): Last amended = May 2022 / NEXT REVIEW = December 2023 / January 2024 The AT is researching investing in a commercial risk assessment tool. |
OTHER FINANCE DOCUMENTS
The academy general annual grant allocation guide sets out a detailed explanation of each aspect of the allocation statement:
More information on academies revenue funding, including information on funding paid outside of GAG is found HERE
Executive Pay 2022-23 (> £100,000): ZERO EMPLOYEES
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EMPLOYEE |
SALARY |
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NONE |
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End.
