J
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From April 2024 To March 2025
Charity name: Northern Children’s Book Festival
Charity registration number: 1013065
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote, encourage and develop the enjoyment of books and stories through a programme of author, poet and illustrator visits for children through schools. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Bringing authors to the region and organising author visit predominantly in schools and libraries in the North East |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees named below confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the commission's public benefit guidance |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
| Para 1.38 | ||
| Policy on grant making | ||
| N/A | ||
| Para 1.38 | ||
| Policy on social investment |
including program related investment N/A Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference 2 week programme Covering 11 local authority areas 19 authors Summary of the main 109 sessions achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the Para 1.20 Audience of 8664 charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Feedback: 100% of schools said they would LOVE to work with NCBF again. At least, 48.7 percent of our schools had over a third of their children receiving Free School Meals. This is twice as many as the national
average, meaning NCBF are succeeding in reaching disadvantaged children.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Opening reserves for 24/25 were £22558.30 Closing reserves for 24/25 were £20408.31 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The reserves are held to cover 3 months operating costs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £20408.31 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
Subscription fees from local library authorities on an annual basis provide a regular source of funds for the festival. Commission from booksales |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Local authority funding constraints meaning they can no longer contribute the subscription fees. Decline in book sales due to cost of living |
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Charity Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are nominated by existing board members Voting by board members appoints the person to the board. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
Trustees receive training from Registration and Support Services CIC |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Charity has a chair of the board of trustees Board of trustees Freelance festival coordinator for 30 days per year Representatives on Library working group from each North East Library authority involved in the festival |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 |
Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Northern Childrens Book Festival |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1013065 |
| Charity’s principal address | Newcastle City Library 33 New Bridge Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AX |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Robinson | ||||
| Rachel Warkcup | ||||
| Christine Myhill | ||||
| Angela Forster | ||||
| Taranjeet Singh | ||||
| Fiona Hill | ||||
| Mark Freeman | ||||
| Catherine Scott | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature: Full name: Julia Robinson Position: Principal Librarian Date: 04/02/2026
NORTHERN CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| INCOME | EXPENDITURE | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2024-2025 2023-2024 |
Summary | |||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ £ |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Funds |
Total All funds | All funds | Unresticted Funds |
All funds Total All funds |
Oustanding sales Invoices 2024/25 | Oustanding sales Invoices 2024/25 | ||||||
| FESTIVAL COORDINATOR | 0.00 | 0.00 5,250 |
28/11/2024 | Hartle | ||||||||
| AUTHOR TOURS | 1,483.68 | 1,483.68 | 0.00 | GALA DAY EXPENSES | 0.00 | 0.00 2,136 |
13/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | ||||
| LOCAL AUTHORITIES | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 6,585 | NCBF EVALUATION | 0.00 | 0.00 0.00 |
25/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | ||||
| BOOK SALES | 13,633.54 | 13,633.54 | 12,544 | AUTHOR FEES GALA DAY | 20,462.96 | 20,462.96 14,684 |
04/03/2025 | Newcastle Cit | ||||
| GALA DAY INCOME | 14,500.00 | 14,500.00 | 16,865 | AUTHOR EXPENSES | 2,640.42 | 2,640.42 858 |
||||||
| TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | BOOK PURCHASES | 14,392.77 | 14,392.77 2,615 |
||||||
| BANK INTEREST RECEIVED | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ACCOUNTANT/BOOK KEEPER | 562.39 | 562.39 576 |
Total Outstaning as of 31st March 2024 | |||||
| IT/INTERNET SUNDRIES BANK CHARGES |
72.00 46.65 90.00 |
72.00 324 46.65 100 90.00 90 |
||||||||||
| TOTAL | 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 | 35,994 | TOTAL | 38,267.19 | 38,267.19 # 26,633 |
||||||
| Surplus (Deficit) for the year | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -2,149.97 | -2,149.97 9,361 |
|||||||
| 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 | 35,994 | 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 35,994 |
||||||||
| FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Brought forward at 31/3/24 Transfer of funds Surplus (Deficit) for the year |
TOTAL FUNDS 22,558.28 0.00 -2,149.97 |
|||||||||||
| Carried forward at 31/3/25 | 20,408.31 | ## | ||||||||||
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 | ||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ACCUMULATED FUND | |||||||||||
| 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 2023-2024 |
||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ £ |
||||||||||
| CASH AT BANK | 15,927.31 | 15,929 | FUND BROUGHT FORWARD | 22,558.28 13,198 |
||||||||
| DEBORTS | 0 | SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR | -2,149.97 9,361 |
|||||||||
| Less Accrued Expenses | 0 | DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR | ||||||||||
| Less Deferred Income | 4,481.00 | 6,629 | Unrestricted funds | 20,408.31 22,558 |
||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS 20,408.31 22,558 Independent Examiner's Statement (1) (i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that any material repsect the requirments Inconnection withmyexamination,nomatter hascometomyattention: |
FUND CARRIED FORWARD | Charles & Co. Office 22A The Off Quay Building |
20,408.31 22,558 Office 22A The Off Quay Building JCe |
|||||||||
| to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and | Foundry Lane | |||||||||||
| ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirments of the 2011 Act has not been met, or | Newcastle upon Tyne | |||||||||||
| (2) to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. | NE6 1LH | David Graham FCCA | Date: 16th May 2025 |
| 28/11/2024 | Hartlepool Borough Council | 2024/26 | Auther Fees | 700.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | 2024/44 | Book Sales | 195.00 |
| 25/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | 2024/46 | Book Sales | 2658.00 |
| 04/03/2025 | Newcastle CityCouncil | 2024/47 | Book Sales | 928.00 |
NORTHERN CHILDREN'S BOOK FESTIVAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
| INCOME | EXPENDITURE | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2024-2025 2023-2024 |
Summary | |||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ £ |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Funds |
Total All funds | All funds | Unresticted Funds |
All funds Total All funds |
Oustanding sales Invoices 2024/25 | Oustanding sales Invoices 2024/25 | ||||||
| FESTIVAL COORDINATOR | 0.00 | 0.00 5,250 |
28/11/2024 | Hartle | ||||||||
| AUTHOR TOURS | 1,483.68 | 1,483.68 | 0.00 | GALA DAY EXPENSES | 0.00 | 0.00 2,136 |
13/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | ||||
| LOCAL AUTHORITIES | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | 6,585 | NCBF EVALUATION | 0.00 | 0.00 0.00 |
25/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | ||||
| BOOK SALES | 13,633.54 | 13,633.54 | 12,544 | AUTHOR FEES GALA DAY | 20,462.96 | 20,462.96 14,684 |
04/03/2025 | Newcastle Cit | ||||
| GALA DAY INCOME | 14,500.00 | 14,500.00 | 16,865 | AUTHOR EXPENSES | 2,640.42 | 2,640.42 858 |
||||||
| TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | BOOK PURCHASES | 14,392.77 | 14,392.77 2,615 |
||||||
| BANK INTEREST RECEIVED | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ACCOUNTANT/BOOK KEEPER | 562.39 | 562.39 576 |
Total Outstaning as of 31st March 2024 | |||||
| IT/INTERNET SUNDRIES BANK CHARGES |
72.00 46.65 90.00 |
72.00 324 46.65 100 90.00 90 |
||||||||||
| TOTAL | 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 | 35,994 | TOTAL | 38,267.19 | 38,267.19 # 26,633 |
||||||
| Surplus (Deficit) for the year | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -2,149.97 | -2,149.97 9,361 |
|||||||
| 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 | 35,994 | 36,117.22 | 36,117.22 35,994 |
||||||||
| FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Brought forward at 31/3/24 Transfer of funds Surplus (Deficit) for the year |
TOTAL FUNDS 22,558.28 0.00 -2,149.97 |
|||||||||||
| Carried forward at 31/3/25 | 20,408.31 | ## | ||||||||||
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 | ||||||||||||
| ASSETS | ACCUMULATED FUND | |||||||||||
| 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 2023-2024 |
||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ £ |
||||||||||
| CASH AT BANK | 15,927.31 | 15,929 | FUND BROUGHT FORWARD | 22,558.28 13,198 |
||||||||
| DEBORTS | 0 | SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR | -2,149.97 9,361 |
|||||||||
| Less Accrued Expenses | 0 | DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR | ||||||||||
| Less Deferred Income | 4,481.00 | 6,629 | Unrestricted funds | 20,408.31 22,558 |
||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS 20,408.31 22,558 Independent Examiner's Statement (1) (i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that any material repsect the requirments Inconnection withmyexamination,nomatter hascometomyattention: |
FUND CARRIED FORWARD | Charles & Co. Office 22A The Off Quay Building |
20,408.31 22,558 Office 22A The Off Quay Building JCe |
|||||||||
| to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and | Foundry Lane | |||||||||||
| ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirments of the 2011 Act has not been met, or | Newcastle upon Tyne | |||||||||||
| (2) to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. | NE6 1LH | David Graham FCCA | Date: 16th May 2025 |
| 28/11/2024 | Hartlepool Borough Council | 2024/26 | Auther Fees | 700.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | 2024/44 | Book Sales | 195.00 |
| 25/02/2025 | Gateshead Council | 2024/46 | Book Sales | 2658.00 |
| 04/03/2025 | Newcastle CityCouncil | 2024/47 | Book Sales | 928.00 |