LOCAL SOLUTIONS

1. LOCAL SOLUTIONS 2000-11-15 → present
2. MERSEYSIDE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 1984-02-17 → 2000-11-15

Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers

Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.

Accounting basis

FRS 102

Auditor

DSG Audit Limited

Audit opinion

Unqualified (clean)

Going concern

Affirmed

“Based on our forecasts for the coming year and beyond, and the level of reserves, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that Local Solutions has adequate resources to continue operations for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these accounts. Trustees have reviewed the assumption that Local Solutions remains a going concern and have concluded this to be accurate and appropriate.”

Significant events

• “In 2024, we marked the beginning of our 50th anniversary year.”
• “Our financial position remains resilient, with a surplus of £200,372 on income of £14.6m, enabling strategic reinvestment. We designated £1.25m for workforce resilience, innovation, and, most significantly, the development of new community premises — a future investment ambition in sustainable infrastructure that reflects our mission.”
• “One of the standout developments has been the launch and growth of our Community Empowerment Fund. This new model enables us to grant grassroots changemakers the tools, funding and platform to lead locally-rooted solutions. From a radio station connecting people with dementia to trauma support groups and food-growing projects, over 50 grants have been awarded, enabling community ownership and pride.”
• “The sale of our Scotland Road site in late 2023 allowed us to continue service delivery as tenants while progressing redevelopment plans with our partners. Planning permission has since been secured, and our focus is now on identifying a community facing HQ and improved accommodation that meet the needs of tomorrow. Subsequent to the year-end, the charity entered into an agreement to purchase a property to support future service delivery.”
• “Changes to Employer National Insurance Contribution rates and thresholds announced by HM Government in the Autumn 2024 Budget, to be implemented in April 2025, were not expected... increased the cost to Local Solutions of delivering services in 2025/2026 by around £760,000... All staff structures were reviewed and, after careful review, savings of £300,000 were realised...”
• “To counteract these changes, we have invested and made significant improvements to the cyber security and IT infrastructure to better protect sensitive data, ensure regulatory compliance, and safeguard the digital infrastructure supporting our services.”
• “During 2024/25 we have not utilised any Designated Reserve allocation, recognising all costs within our general expenditure.”
• “Local Solutions continue to be a Real Living Wage employer, which has resulted in a specific Real Living Wage linked increase in some Local Authority Rates.”
• “The Trustees wish to continue to invest in the future and the development of the Charity. To achieve this, three designated funds have been maintained this year: Impact and Innovation, Accommodation Development Fund, and Workforce Resilience.”

Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers

Filings

20

last 12 months

Capital events

0

last 24 months

Officers appointed

2

last 12 months

Officers resigned

2

last 12 months

Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.

• Turnover

  +9.7%

  £13,113,837 → £14,382,700

• Cash

  -16.7%

  £2,331,595 → £1,941,656

• Net assets

  +8%

  £2,519,928 → £2,720,300

• Employees

  +4.1%

  531 → 553

• Wages

  +9.7%

  £10,156,950 → £11,145,455

Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. Periods don't have to be exactly 12 months apart — a long or short period (typical around incorporation or year-end changes) will distort the comparison. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers