EDF Energy Trust. Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December helping those in need

Transcription

1 EDF Energy Trust Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 helping those in need

2 Chair s Report In 2011, applications to the EDF Energy Trust (EDFET) have remained steady compared with previous years. 3,495 awards were made totalling 1,815,579 to assist people who found themselves in sudden hardship, unable to meet or pay charges for their use of energy. In addition, Trustees increased the budget for Further Assistance Payments to provide help with energy efficient options and other debts, enabling grant recipients to gain control over their lives and financial circumstances. The EDFET has continued its financial support of money advisors working within Citizens Advice Bureaux and other charitable advice organisations. During 2011 three new organisational grants were awarded, expanding the programme from 13 to 16 organisations receiving support during the year. These organisations provide holistic debt advice to their clients, including prevention of fuel debt and energy efficiency advice, as well as generating high quality applications to the EDFET. Each of our funded organisations has a Trustee of the EDFET board appointed as a primary contact to monitor performance and offer encouragement. Training has also been sponsored through Charis Grants, Bristol Debt Advice Centre and National Energy Action to assist project workers to deliver fuel debt advice. All this was achieved through the considerable level of funding received from EDF Energy for which the Trustees are particularly grateful. To assist Trustees evaluate the impact of the Trust s activities and also to gain clarity on the Attorney General s Reference to the Charity Tribunal concerning the status of benevolent funds, the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University was contracted to provide an independent report. The initial findings of the report are very encouraging, providing evidence that the EDFET is meeting its operational objectives and offering advice on the future direction of the EDFET on meeting its aims. During the year we were sorry to lose Bob Jackson from the Board who had served for six years as Treasurer. We thank him for his commitment and significant input over that period. Robert Richardson was appointed as our new Treasurer, and Brian Cross and Richard Sykes also joined the Board. I would like to thank all my fellow Trustees for their contribution and valued guidance will be the ninth year of the Trust s operation and we aim to contribute to the alleviation of fuel poverty in the UK by continuing to target families and individuals in hardship. To this aim the Trust will continue to fund its organisational grants programme providing holistic money and debt advice. Denice Fennell, MBE, Chair, EDF Energy Trust Achievements in 2011 The Trust received and assessed 6,435 applications an increase of just under one per cent on 2010 figures. 3,495 awards were made to individuals and families in need. The total value of these awards was 1,815,579 (after refunds). Trustees commissioned a research project on the work of the Trust, key findings of which are published in this report. The Trust worked in partnership with EDF Energy to provide holistic help to applicants, including energy efficiency advice, to help them remain free of energy debts. Trustees undertook a fundamental review of the Trust s organisational grant strategy in April. Two organisations in London were awarded grants - Nucleus Advice Centre (South West) and Toynbee Hall (East) with projects commencing 1 October. Sixteen organisations in total received grants in The Trust provided a grant to National Energy Action (NEA) to deliver an energy debt training programme. A total of 284 debt advisors across London and the South East benefitted from the free training. The Trust s website was enhanced. I would like to take this chance to express my sincere gratitude for the award the Trust has made to my gas/electricity bill. I have always worked hard to survive and always paid my bills, however since my illness things have changed. I am not used to getting this type of help and I really appreciate it. Thank you so very much. Trust s decision: Awarded 832 to clear gas and electricity arrears. Thank you very much for awarding me a grant for a new gas cooker. It has been delivered and installed in time for Christmas! Once again, thank you. Trust s decision: Awarded a new gas cooker

3 Treasurer s Report Review of Finances Donations received in the year were million thanks to the continuing support of our sponsor EDF Energy. This put us in a strong financial position to meet the demand for assistance through the grants we make. During 2011 some 1.8 million was awarded to individuals and families to clear energy debt and for further assistance. The grants to support money advice organisations amounted to 0.6 million in the year. The year ended with a balance of funds of just under 1 million, putting us in a sound financial position at the start of Robert Richardson, Treasurer Summary of the EDF Energy Trust s Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 Summary of Statement of Financial Activities Year ended 31 December % Year ended 31 December % Funds available brought forward Total incoming resources Total funds available this 1,714 2,017 3, ,371 3,284 4, Resources expended Charitable activities Governance costs 2, , Total resources expended Funds Balance at 31 December 2, ,941 1, Summary of Balance Sheet Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounting falling due within one year Net current assets ,315 1, ,256 3,304 1,590 1,714 Net assets Restricted funds Unrestricted Designated funds Other charitable funds , ,409 1,714 The financial summary above has been extracted from the full statutory accounts, a copy of which can be obtained, together with the Trustees and Auditors Reports, from the Trust s registered address. EDFET ANNUAL REPORT 2011

4 Grant Making Programmes The EDF Energy Trust operates two grant making programmes: 1. Individuals and Families Grants Programme Applications and Awards In 2011 the Trust received and assessed a total of 6,435 applications. Of the applications received 15% were submitted with the support of an organisation funded by the Trust (see Organisational Grants Programme). A further 29% were supported via other third party help, e.g. money advice agency, health professional, housing association, social worker, etc. An application submitted with the help of a funded organisation is twice as likely to succeed as an application submitted unaided. The 2011 EDFET Research Project revealed that individuals who apply with the help of an EDFET funded organisation are overwhelmingly positive about their experience and the specialist help received. 3,495 awards were made with a value of 1,815,579 after refunds ( 1,840,053 pre refunds). Awards can be broken down as follows: 2,855 to clear gas and electricity debts, with a value of 1,572, Further Assistance Payments, with a value of 243,440. The average energy award in 2011 was 565, and the average Further Assistance Payment value was 386. Further Assistance Payments In addition to clearing gas and electricity debts, the Trust can, in exceptional circumstances, clear other household debts and purchase essential household items. While the majority of Further Assistance Payments do not directly alleviate fuel debt, they can be a valuable tool to help people meet bills going forward by releasing funds into the household budget. In 2011 Trustees agreed that the focus of Further Assistance Payments should be energy efficient white goods. Household needs accounted for the largest percentage of the total value of Further Assistance Payments made and of these washing machines accounted for 35% ( 29,970), cookers 34% ( 29,119), followed by fridge/freezers at 17% ( 14,797). Bankruptcy fees / Debt Relief Orders % Household needs Bankruptcy fees / Debt Relief Orders Funeral expenses Water / sewerage arrears Electricity / gas arrears Council tax arrears Rent arrears Coal / Oil arrears Boiler repair / replacement Telephone arrears Funeral expenses Household needs Water / sewerage arrears Electricity / gas arrears Council tax arrears Rent arrears Coal / Oil arrears Telephone arrears Boiler repair / replacement Shared Programme of Giving The Trust operates as part of a shared programme of giving with other utility Trusts and Funds administered by Charis Grants, namely the Anglian Water Assistance Fund, British Gas Energy Trust, npower Energy Fund, Southeast Water s Helping Hand and the Veolia Water Trust. An applicant only has to complete one application form to be considered for help from any of these Trusts. Charis works closely with these utility companies to ensure that applicants are offered additional help to manage their bills going forward and to enhance any benefit of grant. Applicants to the EDFET are offered energy efficiency advice.

5 2. Organisational Grants Programme The Trust started the year by awarding 20,968 to National Energy Action (NEA) for the delivery of 20 energy debt training courses. The sessions were offered free of charge to general debt advisors across London, the South West and the South East, the main supply areas of EDF Energy. The aim of the training was to provide debt advisors with increased knowledge on the provision of fuel debt advice, a better understanding of the complexities of fuel debt and how to relieve the burden in a manageable way. In addition the training promoted the help available via the EDFET. A total of 284 advisors benefited from the training with 91% of delegates noting that their knowledge of fuel debt had increased as a result of attending the training. The topics of grants and assistance, payment options and how to deal with problems such as billing errors and meter problems were voted most useful for helping advisors in their day-to-day advice role. January 2011 also saw EDFET organisational grant recipients travel to Bristol to visit the Bristol Debt Advice Centre (BDAC). BDAC has been in receipt of funding from the Trust since 2003 and is a very well established project. BDAC kindly offered fellow grant recipients the chance to visit their premises, giving them the opportunity to see how BDAC successfully run their project and share best practice to enhance the success of their own projects. The day was well received by all participants. Organisation 2011 Grant ( ) Hammersmith & Fulham CAB 29, Medway CAB 37, Thurrock CAB 33, Westminster CAB 34, BDAC 40, Brighton CAB 13, Brixton Advice Centre 27, Guildford CAB 29, Maidstone CAB 27, ELFI 20, Money Advice Plus 27, Shepway CAB 20, Thanet District CAB 25, NEA 20, Sedgemoor CAB 28, Nucleus Advice Centre 8, Toynbee Hall 17, Total 441, During April/May, EDFET Trustees undertook visits to all funded organisations to offer advice and support to the teams to help them achieve funding targets. Trustees have continued to offer supportive roles throughout the year. During the year the Trust awarded funding to three new organisations. Sedgemoor CAB commenced a two year project on 1 April London based organisations Toynbee Hall and Nucleus Advice Centre commenced projects on 1 October 2011 following a review of the Trusts organisational grants programme earlier in the year. The project workers at these two organisations have passed the Level 3 City & Guilds 6281/01 training in Energy Awareness, which was a condition of grant funding. In addition to fuel debt provision, all three projects focus on the submission of applications to the Trust and promotion of the help available through the Trust via presentations and seminars. Funding ceased on 30 September 2011 to Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau and East London Financial Inclusion Unit (ELFI) after four years of funding from the Trust. In total 182,702 was awarded to three new organisations in , was physically paid to 16 organisations during the year, leaving a committed balance of 362, to be paid in The organisational grant funding received from the EDFET has significantly enhanced our service delivery and enabled us to support individuals to access the Trust s funds. With estimated fuel poverty figures to hit nine million in the next four years, it is essential that consumers and professionals are given essential education and support to deal with managing fuel usage and promote affordable warmth. Funding from the EDFET enables us to get into the community and work with local partner agencies to reach and support the vulnerable groups facing financial hardship that have nowhere else to turn. Rhianne Cotterill, Bristol Debt Advice Centre The funding from the EDFET has allowed us as an organisation to develop expertise in a whole new field for us, of fuel poverty and energy efficiency. This gives us new opportunities to engage our local community and, in doing so, we have uncovered and been able to tackle - wider financial problems that would not otherwise have come to light. Susan McLaren, Toynbee Hall EDFET ANNUAL REPORT 2011

6 2011 EDFET Research Project In 2011 Trustees commissioned research into the operation and impact of the Trust s Grant Making Programmes between 1 January 2009 and 31 March The Report showed that EDFET grants have a positive impact on grant recipients, enabling them to gain control over their lives and their financial circumstances which in turn has a beneficial effect on their wellbeing. A majority of awards have been successful in improving energy customers longer term ability to pay their energy bills: more than half of grant recipients and their associated energy accounts remained debt free after six months of receiving help from the Trust. Many applicants felt they were more aware of ways to save energy and reduce fuel bills since applying to the Trust. The EDFET has considerable reach with more than 6,000 households receiving awards during the research period. These awards covered a broad range of age categories, ethnic groups and household types and were spread across UK nations and regions. Eight out of ten applicants were from households with children, single parent families or people living on their own. Nationally these household types experience the highest levels of fuel poverty. The research showed that households struggling to pay their energy bills tend to be struggling financially more generally. Nearly half of all awards were made to support combined electricity and gas debt, and almost a third of awards included a further assistance payment. Overall most applicants found applying to the Trust straightforward. Applicants receiving help through advice agencies were extremely satisfied with the help and additional advice given. Agencies funded by the Trust s Organisational Grants Programme are overwhelmingly positive about the benefits the funding has, helping them to increase the reach of their services and a means by which they develop partnerships with outside agencies and access vulnerable and hard to reach groups. Applications submitted with the help of agencies funded via the Trust s Organisational Grants Programme tend to be of a higher quality and therefore more successful. The funded organisations are often assisting some of the most vulnerable members of society who are less well equipped to remain debt free. However the holistic debt and support these agencies give to their clients to develop sustainable lifestyles, provides the best chance of them staying out of debt in the future. Case Study: Mrs J and her daughter had been victims of domestic violence. After leaving her violent ex-partner they were rehoused by a local Woman s Aid charity, however the house was cold and damp with poor heating facilities. Mrs Jones is a qualified nurse, but has been unable to work due to the panic attacks and depression she suffers following the violence by her ex. She has had to survive on a limited income leaving her struggling to keep on top of bills. Eventually the poor living conditions meant Mrs J and her daughter had to look for alternative living arrangements. Unfortunately she was unable to get a Community Care Grant to help with her move as she was on incapacity benefit, so she had no option but to use her overdraft to help with the moving costs. Shortly after moving their house was vandalised. Concrete blocks were thrown through the downstairs windows and paint was thrown all over the living room, ruining the décor and destroying the little furniture she had. Mrs J heard about the EDFET via her local Citizens Advice Bureau. Mrs J submitted an application to the Trust and was awarded a cheque for 330 to purchase a new carpet. I have now had my lounge carpet fitted, and after experiencing such trauma after our house was vandalised, it finally feels like home again. Thank you again from me and my daughter. The EDFET organisational grant has been of huge benefit to the clients in our local community, but wider than this, it has helped us to build important partnerships with local agencies. The best example is the partnership we have built with our local Credit Union where we deliver weekly appointments. Following a high level of successful EDFET applications, they have included our details on their application forms and regularly quote us in their newsletters. Phil Storey, Hammersmith & Fulham CAB

7 Thank you so very much for the grant to pay off the remainder of our gas and electricity debts. Now these have been cleared we will be able to manage our finances, which will make a huge difference to us in the future. Trust s decision: Awarded 1,612 to clear gas and electricity arrears What we do Established in 2003, the EDF Energy Trust was the first charitable energy trust operating throughout Great Britain. The Trust is independent of its donor company EDF Energy, and is governed by a Board of Trustees who give their time voluntarily. The administration of the Trust is undertaken by Charis Grants Ltd (Charis) on behalf of Trustees. The EDF Energy Trust awards grants via two Programmes of Giving detailed below. In addition applicants benefit from the Trust working with partners, such as debt advice agencies, to enhance any benefit of grant. The Trust also works with EDF Energy to help ensure that applicants can manage their bills going forward. 1. Individuals and Families Grants Programme The Trust s Individuals and Families Programme is aimed at the relief of poverty, particularly among those who are unable to meet or pay charges for their supply of domestic energy. Grants are given with the aim of stabilizing an applicant s finances and giving them a fresh start. Grants are given to: Clear gas and electricity debts, Clear other essential household debts, Purchase essential household items (latter two are known as Further Assistance Payments (FAPs)). 2. Organisational Grants Programme Awards grants to increase independent money advice services and education for the prevention and relief of poverty, particularly in relation to: Energy debt awareness and prevention, Resolving energy debt problems and supporting applications to the Trust, Facilitating and encouraging energy efficiency projects and schemes. Objectives for To maximise the support available from the Trust to help those individuals and families who are struggling to meet their energy bills, or who are fuel poor, ensuring the budget available at 1 January 2012 for this purpose is fully utilised. 2. To offer holistic assistance to applicants by providing money advice, budget planning, energy efficiency and financial help with energy debt and other further assistance payments. 3. To continue to provide financial support and training to targeted organisations and agencies, in order to maximise the number of people helped by the Trust. 4. To target organisations involved specifically with the elderly and those with mental health issues, to increase awareness of the Trust with the aim of increasing applications from these vulnerable groups. 5. To improve awareness and promotion of the Trust, particularly in areas where there is a significant population of customers of EDF Energy. 6. To initiate a closer collaboration with EDF Energy, to offer wider support to their vulnerable customers and to improve the sustainability of awards. EDFET ANNUAL REPORT 2011

8 How to apply to the EDF Energy Trust EDF ENERGY TRUST HELPING THOSE IN NEED The quickest and easiest way to apply to the Trust is via its online application form via Supporting evidence should be scanned and attached to the form to allow for assessment of the application to begin. Alternatively application forms can be downloaded from the Trust s website Or requested via the Trust s dedicated telephone line Or by ing edfet@charisgrants.com Written correspondence should be addressed to the Trust s freepost address: FREEPOST RLXG-RBYJ-USXE EDF ENERGY TRUST PO Box 42, Peterborough, PE3 8XH Trustees and Officers 2011 Trustees Denice Fennell MBE Chair Tim Cole Vice Chairman Bob Jackson Treasurer resigned November 2011 Steve Meakin Brian Cross Appointed January 2011 Robert Richardson Treasurer from November 2011 Richard Sykes Appointed January 2011 Registered Address Midgate House Midgate Peterborough PE1 1TN Charity Registration Number Auditors Rawlinsons 90 Lincoln Road Peterborough PE1 2SP Bankers National Westminster Bank plc PO Box 15 Cathedral Square Peterborough PE1 1HW Solicitors Bates, Wells and Braithwaite 2-6 Cannon Street London EC4M 6YH Administrators Charis Grants Ltd Midgate House Midgate Peterborough PE1 1TN Charis is a company with extensive experience of delivering a range of holistic services for companies to support vulnerable customers. These include: grants management services for charitable and corporate giving; assessment of eligibility for hardship schemes such as the Warm Home Discount; assessment for social tariffs, etc.