COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL
TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Charity Registration number: 1054835 The board of trustees Dr J Musinguzi (Chairperson) Prof O Olantunbosun Ms M Haslegrave Dr D Musinguzi Prof J Byamugisha Mr D J Cousins Registered office BMA House Tavistock Square WC1H 9JP Correspondence office Ullyett Cottage, Old School Mews Sandgate Road Folkestone, CT20 3ST Accountants Ingles Accountancy Limited Ingles Manor Castle Hill Avenue Folkestone Kent, CT20 2RD Bankers Lloyds Bank Charnwood House Harcourt Way Meridian Business Park Leicester, LE3 2WP
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the United Kingdom.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Documents
The Commonwealth Medical Trust (Commat) is a charity no 1054835 in England and Wales. It is governed by its Articles of Association 29 October 1995 and a Supplemental Deed of 30 April 2003.
Appointment of trustees
Commat elects its own trustees, including the Chairperson. Two trustees are resident in the United Kingdom and the other four live in Canada and Uganda respectively. All but two trustees are medically qualified and have been nominated for their expertise in the areas in which Commat works.
Training for new trustees is provided by Commat staff and at meetings of the trustees. Trustees are also encouraged to participate in external events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their roles.
Organisation
The trustees administer the charity. They meet by email and virtually and are responsible for board development, membership, finance and audit. The director is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-today operations of the charity and to facilitate effective operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the director has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and project related activity.
Related parties
Commat works mainly with inter-governmental organisations such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Commonwealth Secretariat. It also collaborates with other charities and organisations working on related issues in the UK, Europe and Commonwealth developing countries, particularly Uganda.
Risk management
The trustees have a risk management strategy, which comprises:
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an annual review of the risks the charity may face;
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the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the plan;
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the implementation of procedures designed to minimize any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialize.
This work has identified a few minor new risks but it has resulted in better procedures and contingency plans and better planning. Particular attention has focused on financial risks, particularly the development of a reserves policy, although difficult into the current geo-political climate, and its review by trustees.
Objectives and activities
Commat promotes health and prevention of disease and disability, especially in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the advancement of human rights and medical ethics, particularly for poor and marginalised groups and those in danger of ‘being left behind’ in Commonwealth developing countries, including with special reference to the role of medical practitioners and their professional association. Wherever possible the trust uses a multisectoral approach including academia, to enhance evidence-based activities.
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Commat’s activities have focused primarily on promoting the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), as well as the preparations for the Summit of the Future, working at different levels:
(a) At the global level, for example, the Commat Director participated in the High-level Political Forum, speaking as a member of the Governing Body of the UN Economic Commission of Europe Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (ECE RCEM) on the impact of ‘shrinking space’ for civil society on the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
(b) At both the global and regional levels, Commat collaborated with other organizations to organize side events at the UN High-level Political Forum and the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development on Water pressure (WASH) , to highlight the importance of clean, affordable and gender equitable access to water to improve the health and well-being, as well as other aspects of their lives, for women and their children.
(c) Through the collaboration between David Cousins, lead singer/songwriter of the UK heritage band Strawbs as well as being a Commat trustee, and a 15-year-old schoolgirl in South Africa, on The Water Song , performed by a South African school marimba band and foundation phase choir, which was performed at the 2023 UN Water Conference.
(d) With funding from The Big Give arising from Commat’s collaboration with SafeHands , in the context of promoting interlinkages between sustainable development goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation and SDG 3 on health and wellbeing and SDG 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, Commat was able to put two water tanks in the village of Nkuringo, and one in Kihembe, remote villages in Uganda.
(e) Commat worked with Makerere University in Uganda in developing a proposal for a survey to assess the impact of rainfall in the context of climate change on women’s maternal health in Nkuringo. This activity will increase the evidence-base for Commat’s work in an area for which a lot of research has not yet been carried out.
(f) In collaboration with the members of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Steering Committee, Commat organized the CSO Consultation on Population and Development: Ensuring Rights and Choices , for the UNECE Regional Conference for ICPD30, in Geneva in October 2023. Activities included arranging for participants to travel to the Consultation and also participate in the Regional Conference itself.
(g) Commat has also continued its activities for awareness and support for its work in developing countries using innovative approaches, such as posting the Gorilla gazette on its www.NGOsBeyond2014.org website.
During the year Commat worked with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including with its Eastern European and Central Asia Regional Office, as well as with the UN Economic C.ommission for Europe.
General comments arising from project implementation
Commat’s activities have contributed both at the global level and at the local level, as can be seen by its Director’s participation in the United Nations High-level Political Forum and the installation of the water tanks in Nkuringo. They have also provided an opportunity to use different approaches as can be seen in the collaboration on the Water Song and the Gorilla gazette .
Despite the continued limitations on the availability of overseas development assistance for activities in developing countries, Commat’s collaboration with SafeHands on The Big Give and activities related to ICPD30 have resulted in a significant increase in funding for the year. This will enable Commat to continue to play an important role in global level activities in 2024.
Achievement of objectives for Commat activities in 2023
In the context of its objectives, Commat has achieved the following:
- In its work on health and prevention of disease and disability, Commat has promoted SRHR both at the regional level in its activities related to ICPD30 and in Uganda by providing the water tanks,
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meaning that women, often taking their children with them, have to ‘walk for water’ less frequently in the dry seasons. This in turn contributes to them not being left behind
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In its activities related with UN bodies, Commat promotes the role of the medical practitioners and their professional associations and its work with Makerere University is providing enhanced evidence-based activities
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Commat continues to support the promotion of the 2030 Agenda
Personnel
The Commat staff (all part-time) comprise its Director (Trustee and volunteer) and its Webmaster/Project Officer. The Director is responsible for overseeing projects, as well as financial management (accountability, auditing etc); content; and monitoring and evaluation.
Financial Review
Commat was able to carry out its activities within the funds available. While the trustees are pleased with the overall results of the programmes undertaken in meeting the objectives of the charity, they recognize the raising of core funds continues as a major concern and Commat’s policies will continue to include seeking new funding sources for project activities.
Reserves policy
The trustees will continue to work to establish a level of reserves that the charity ought to have. Reserves are needed to bridge the funding gaps between the receipt of grants. Given the nature of the funding that is raised for Commat’s activities, however, the trustees are aware of the difficulties in developing a satisfactory level of reserves.
Public Benefit
The principal activities of the charity during the year continued to be to increase the effectiveness of health professionals and their associations, especially in Commonwealth developing countries. The trustees are aware of the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit reporting as set out in Section 17 Charities Act 2011. The trustees believe that the charity achieves a public benefit by providing these services as detailed in the Achievements and Performance section of this report.
Plans for future periods
The major financial concern for the trust, which continues to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, is the need to find new sources of funding. Commat will continue to work to raise funding for its activities to support all areas of its programme.
Approved on behalf of the board of trustees.
Dr Jotham Musinguzi 28 August 2024
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTOTHE TRUSTEES OFTHE COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST I report to the trusiees on my examination of the accounts of Commonwealth Medical Trusi for the year ended 31 December 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of Iny examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){ b) of the Act. ndependent examiner's statement I have completed my examinaiion. I confim that no material mallers have come to my atteniion in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any maierial respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by seclion 130 of the Acl: or 2. the accounts do nol accord with those records: or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requiremenls concerningi ihe forni and content of accounts sel out in the Charilies (Accounts and Reports) Rebiulations ?008 other Ihan any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independeni exwninatioii. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention Should be drawn in this r¢FX)n to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Ingles Aeeountancy Limited Ingle5 Manor. Castle Hill Avenue Folkestone. Kent, CT20 2RD
COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities 2 Investments 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Net income (expenditure) for the year Transfers between funds Net movement Balances brought forward Balances carried forward |
Total Total Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 37,246 37,246 19,719 32 32 1 |
|---|---|
| 32 37,246 37,278 19,720 |
|
| - 37,265 37,265 19,207 |
|
| - 37,265 37,265 19,207 |
|
| 32 (19) 13 513 |
|
| 32 (19) 13 513 |
|
| 6,286 5,773 |
|
| 32 (19) 6,299 6,286 |
All of the activities of the charity are classified as continuing.
The attached notes form part of these financial statements.
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank Debtors (accruals rec’d 2023) 6 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Nets assets Total Funds |
2023 2022 6,022 1,832 276 7,278 |
|---|---|
| 6,298 9,360 |
|
| - (3,074) 6,298 6,286 |
|
| 6,298 6,286 |
|
| 6,2986,286 | |
| 6,2986,286 |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Dr Jotham Musinguzi 28 August 2024
The attached notes form part of these financial statements.
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 - effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP FRS 102).
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
b) Income
ll1come is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
c) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity.
d) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
e) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2 Detailed comparatives for the statement of financial activities
| Income from: Charitable activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total resources expended Net income/ (expenditure) for the year Balances brought forward Balances carried forward Grants receivable Undesignated Income Chiswick Big Give Donations Safehands Grant UNFPA grant Other |
Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 37,246 19,719 32 1 |
|---|---|
| 37,278 19,720 |
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| 37,265 19,207 37,265 19,207 13 513 6,284 5,773 |
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| 6,299 6,286 |
|
| Restricted Total Funds Funds 2022 1,244 1,211 125 2,530 - 1,002 4,823 7,256 6,653 7,720 23,726 - 675 - |
|
| 37,246 19,719 |
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COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 3 Investment income Bank interest receivable 4 Resources expended Direct costs Travel and subsistence Nkuringo Water Song UNFPA Support costs Wages and salaries Internet/website and Communications Sundry expenses |
Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 32 1 2023 2022 5268 9,030 4302 0 852 0 17523 0 |
|---|---|
| 27945 9,030 |
|
| 6543 8,860 1856 1,117 921 200 |
|
| 37,265 19,207 |
Payroll costs The aggregate payroll costs were:
Wages and salaries
No employee earned more than £60,000 during 2023
| Particulars of employees: | ||
|---|---|---|
| The average number of staff employed by | ||
| the charity during the financial year amounted to: | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Number of administrative staff | 2 | 2 |
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL TRUST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
5 Trustees' Remuneration Related Party Transactions
Trustees did not receive remuneration during the year (2023: Nil).
There were no employees in the year (2023: none). There were no employee benefits payments to key management personnel in the year (2023: Nil).
| 6 Creditors falling due within one year Other creditors |
2023 2022 - (3,074.00) |
|---|---|
| - (3,074.00) |
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