Eco Connect North East CIC

Eco Connect North East CIC Directors’ Report For the Year Ended 31 January 2025 The Directors Present Their Report and the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2025 Principal Activity The principal activity of the company during the year was the operation of a sustainability education-based business with a particular emphasis on refill and reuse initiatives. Eco Connect North East CIC aims to strengthen local communities, promote environmental awareness, and reduce waste across Teesside and County Durham. Achievements and Performance Eco Connect North East CIC commenced operations in January 2024. During its first full year of trading, the company delivered a wide range of community and environmental initiatives with significant local impact. Key achievements during the financial year include Hosting eco-based workshops for over 1,000 participants, covering topics such as green cleaning, clothes swaps, and eco-living. Supporting 40 community events, including community gardens, local authority sustainability schemes, and local festivals. Preventing over 4,000 disposable party items from going to landfill through our reusable party kit hire service across Teesside and County Durham. Distributing 40 reusable cloth nappies in partnership with the Teesside Cloth Nappy Library, supporting families in adopting reusable alternatives. Operating a community book swap service, redistributing over 300 preloved books. Establishing the School Eco Entrepreneurs Project, assisting three local primary schools to develop their own refill shops, directly benefitting approximately 100 families per week in Redcar and Cleveland. These activities have collectively contributed to waste reduction, community engagement, and the promotion of sustainable living practices within the region. Consultation with Stakeholders Eco Connect North East CIC works closely with a range of stakeholders, including: Local families, community organisations, charities, and CICs. Local authorities, Business in the Community, and educational institutions. Customers and followers via social media and email engagement. The company’s directors bring experience from business, sustainability, charitable, and local authority sectors, ensuring that Eco Connect North East CIC remains informed about current trends, community needs, and policy developments. Regular consultation, surveys, and reviews are undertaken to ensure services remain relevant and impactful. A PESTEL analysis is maintained to guide strategic planning, assess external influences, and ensure the organisation’s long-term viability and effectiveness. Directors The directors who served during the year were: Ruth Watson Sharlein Smales Sarah Jane Phelps Katy Vigurs Future Plans The company intends to continue developing its services and expanding its impact during the next financial year by: Extending the refill and reuse model into additional communities across the North East. Strengthening partnerships with schools and local authorities. Increasing the reach of educational workshops and community engagement programmes. Developing new circular economy initiatives to further promote sustainability and reduce waste. Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the company at any time. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Small Company Provisions In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006. This report was approved by the Board of Directors on 9th October 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Ruth Watson Director Eco Connect North East CIC