BOOKS ALIVE (A charitable company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Registered number: 3737476 Registered charity number 1077435
BOOKS ALIVE (A charitable company limited by guarantee) Index to trustees, report and financial statements Contents Page Trustees, annual report Independent Examiner's report Statement of Financial Activities Balance sheet Accounting Policies Notes to the accounts 9-10
BOOKS ALIVE (A charitable company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT The trustees (who also act as directors for Companies Act purposes) have pleasure in presenting their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees believe that the financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the charity's governing document. The trustees have adopted tlie provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), subject to the small companies, regime. Reference and administrative details of the Charity, Trustees and Advisors Books Alive is a registered charity number 1077435 and Company number 3737476. The principal registered office of the charity is: 86 Elm Drive Hove BN3 7JL The trustees of the charity in the period have been: Mr J E Puttock (Chair) Mrs G Carr Mrs S Forrest Mrs S C Haines Mrs S Smith (Resigned 25 July 2024) Mr D Standing Rev Dr N Tucker The advisors to the charity during the year have been: Accountant Mr N Carr 56 Hogarth Road Hove BN3 5RH Independent Examiner Mr I Crosthwaite 31 Portland Villas Hove BN3 5SA Solicitors Mayo Wynne Baxter 3 Bell Lane Lewes BN7 IJU Bankers Barclays Bank plc North Street PO Box2915 Brighton BN3 ISJ Redwood Ban1< The Nexus Building Broadway Letchworth Garden City SG6 3TA Page I
BOOKS ALIVE (A charitable company limited by guarantee) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) Structure, governance and management Books Alive was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (registered number 3737476) on 22 March 1999. The governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of the company. As specified by the governing document, the income and property of the company shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its objects. The trustees are appointed by the Members at the annual general Meeting on the recommendation of the trustees. Up to 4 trustees may be appointed by resolution to serve for periods of 3 years. The trustees retire by rotation and may be re-appointed for further period.s of 3 years. The current trustees due to retire are as follows: Mr I Puttock at the AGM in 2025. Mrs S Forrest and Mr D Standlng at the AGM in 2027. Mrs M Harding who joined the Board in April 2025 at the AGM in 2028. In addition, the Parochial Church Council of Bishop Ilannington Memorial Churcli may nominate up to 3 trustees, one of whom must be the Vicar. The current appointed trustees are Mrs G Carr until 2025, Mrs S Haines until 2026, and the Vicar, Rev Dr N Tucker Law applicable to incorporated charities in En(sland and Wales requires the trustees, who are also the directors of the company, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of the year and its financial activities during the year then ended. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibilities taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. Risk Management The trustees have examined the main areas of the company's operations and considered the major risks faced in each of these areas. In the opinion of the trustees the company has established resources and review systems which, under normal conditions, should allow these risks to be mitigated to an acceptable level in its day-to-day operations. Page 2
BOOKS ALIVE (A charÈtable company litnited by guarantee) Objectives and activitles The company's principal objective is the advancement of the c.hristian religion by the establishment and maintenance of a bookshop and through the sale and distribution of boolis, magazknes, cards, music and such other items as the company shall think fit. Public Benefit The company's trustees have referred to the Charity Cotnmission's general guidance on public benefit and consider that the charity has continued to meet those requirements. The bookshop trades six days a week and is entirely accessible to all the public regardless of any religious belief, or none. Achievernents and performance Sales for the year showed a substantial increase at £93,525, an increase of £17,585 over 2023. The trustees were very pleased at this significant increase of 230/0 which brought sales up to near pre Covid level. Much of this increase was due to Gillian Carr, one of the trustees, who has continued to oversee the management of the shop on a voluntary basis. Gillian Carr invoices the company £250 per nionth For her consultancy worl< and advice. The secondhand book sectlon on the upper floor was a major conti"ibutor to both the sales and contribution to the net incoming resources with sales ot £9,423. Our loyalty scheme continues to be well used. During the year the company supported The Brighton and Hove City Mission by providing them free of charge with a number of Bibles for their ministry and the Lompany also supported the Chichester Diocesan May Camp again this year. We continue to be a centre for donations towards the local foodbank and a collection point for the Samaritan Purse Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. We were pleased once again to be able to hold a number of external sales events during the year and expect this to continue to increase in 2025. We would like to thank our bookkeepers, all our customers, friends, publishers and their representatives for their support during the year. A special thank you is due to all the volunteers who give their time and energy to staffing the shop each week. Without their support the shop couldn't open 6 days a week Financial review The unrestricted surplus for the year was £16,418 which when added to funds of £88,132 brought forward from 31st December 2023, resulted in unrestricted funds of f £104,550 being carried forward at 31st December 2024. The trustees may invest the surplus funds, not immediately required for the purposes of the company in or upon such investments, securities or property as they think fit, and from time to time to transpose, vary and realise such investments subject to such conditions and such consensus as may be required by law and subject also to the provisions of its Memorandum and Articles. By the year-end £51,362 had been invested in a 95-dav notice account with Redwood Bank Page 3
BOOKS ALIVE (A charÉtable company IRmited by guarantee) Reserves Policy The trustees regularly review the level of reserves held by the company and are pleased to report that currently the company holds unrestricted funds in excess of 12 months expenditure. By order of the Board Triistee John Puttock (Chair) Trustee Gillian Carr Date....... Registered Office 86 F.Im Drive Hove BN3 7JL Page 4
INDEPENDENf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BOOKS ALIVE 'the Com an I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Q;ompany foi. the Ye ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's Trustees of the C,ompany (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the prepatIon of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Coiiipanies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not Tequircd to be audited under Part 16 of tlic 2006 Acl aiid are eligible for independent eiamination, I i'eport in respect of my examination of thc Company's accounts &8 carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 201 I Act,). In carying out my examination I have followed the Directions givcn by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 201 I ALt. Independent examiner's statement Since The Company's gross income has not exceeded £250,000 your examiner does not need to be a membcr of a listcd body. I have completcd my examination. l Lonfirni that no matters haiie comc to my attention in connection with tlie examination giving me cause to believe: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by seLtion 386 of the 2006 Act. or the accoiints do not accord with those records" or thc accounts dc) not comply with the accounting requiremcnts of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requircmcnt that thc accounts giive a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination" or th¢ accounts have not been prLparLd in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statenicnt of Recommcndcd Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicablc to charities Prep.1g their accounts in aCCordtr with the Financial Repoiting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. I have no concerns and Imve come across no other inatters in comiection with the examination to whiLh attLntion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of thc accounts to bc rcaclied. Mr I Crosthwaitc 31 Portland Villas Hove BN3 5SA Sioned. PAGE 5
BOOKS ALIVE ACharitabl2 CompaRy fflited by Guardntee Statementol FinanclalActiviis1OrYeaYEnded 31 DMber1014 TOTAL FUNDS 2024 2023 nresrrirted Restricted F¥nds Funds Notes INCOM114G RESOURCE5 Incomln8 rè50urces fromgeTheraled fuods onations Bank Interest Othèr 145 1362 530 75 28 1362 530 1174 Rental lrteome 2b I64 11264 1249 haritable artiyities sale oF6ook5 Bnd Christlin Produrts 93526 93526 75940 Total Intomirtg Resources 10682Y IQG827 77264 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable 4CtIVllies Governance costs 33&4 3b 87219 3190 87219 752G3 3190 3190 Total Resource5 Expended 9W9 90409 78453 Nlour601NGP1rNC0MIN6 RÉSOURCES 16418 16418 9680 Unrestrirted Fynd5 for Incomeand expendlture Yoial Funds Srou8hl Forward 8813Z 88132 78452 Yotal Fund5 C8Yrted Forward 104550 IIJ4550 38132 All Incomln8 reSourttSd rtsources expended arise frDm contlnulnE attfviiies Pa6e6
BOOKS ALIVE A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee Balance Sheet 31.12.24 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Current Assets Stock Debtors Savings Account Cash at bank and in hand 26168 2837 51362 31898 26125 2258 35000 29632 112265 93014 Credltors Falling Due in l year -7715 -4882 Net Current Assets 104550 88132 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 104550 88132 Net Assets 104550 88132 Funds 104550 88132 Note For the year ending 31st December 2024 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the Company to obtain an audit in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2016. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of these accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to Companies subject to the small charitable Companies, regime. These accounts were approved by the Trustees/directors on... ., and ned on their behalf by: J Puttock Chair of Trustees/D ctors Page 7
BOOKS ALIVE (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 l. Accountin Policies Basis of preparation; _ These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (effective January 2015) ("FRS 102") and the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s]. a) Fund accounting; _ Funds held by the Company are either: . UnrestriLted fiinds - General funds wliich can be used for the Company's ordinary purposes, or RestriLted Funds - being either (a) income from trusts which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest; or (b) donations or grants received For a specifÈc object. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of tlie year is carried forward as a balance on that restrirted fund. b) Income recognition policies Sales are recognised in the ijei-iod to which the sale.s relate. Rental incorne is recognised in the period to which the rent relates. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised in the period to which the gift aid relates. c) Expenditure Expenditure is recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Company to make a payment. d) Depreciatlon Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over their expected useful live. The rates are: Shop EqLiiprnent straight line over 10 years Shop Fittings straight line over 10 years Computer and Audio Equipment straight line over 4 years It is normal policy not to capitalise assets below £100 or when financed by donations. There were no capitalised items to depreciate from previous years or in 2023. e) Stocks Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. fj Taxation As a registered charity, it is exempt from corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only. Page 8
BOOLSAUVE Acharitable Comp#ty timited by(awtet 2 lrtomin8 Resoub Totsl Total Funds Funds 2024 2023 Unrestrfcted ReSttted Funds Funds Ge11¢¢ Funds Volunwincome Donit1¢ID theyear Bank IntérÈ5t Other 145 75 1862 $30 1174 2017 2037 1249 Investment Income Rental Inccffte 11264 10944 301 I01 12193 3 Resourtt5 Expended Costsof artyve5 in fvrtherant ofthe ob5ertsf Chlrlty Purtha5e5 Dlre¢i Expenses Salèries Rent & flatES Insurance Eht & Heat & Water Tra¥el & Entertainment Printing & Ststionery Office Equipment & Malntenance Tdephone. Moblle& Computer Char8es SubKriptiM & LiceThun¥ General Malntenance Banklng tharges and Interest General Lxpenses 56958 45142 J394 914 1796 4426 13440 13203 957 820 4090 3496 430 312 27 957 93> 2442 355 1220 3> 933 2441 1857 355 439 1220 1119 ioJJ 926 1160 1150 87219 87219 75263 Jb 190 Consultancy Fees 3190 319] 4 Staff Salaths 2014 2023 Staff Costs Pen510TrsCOSts 1796 2756 4426 Z756 2796 4426 Thecompany emplDyeO l staft member and cOntrted l on a# in£ed basls. Totsl costsfor bothshown in thEyear. 12013.'1 staff member and trneajrbtratted l. OnÈtrustÈÈteLved paymentstotall1n8£3,(fr profeg5ional services in 102412023: £3)
BOO¥SALtvt Athaiiiable Comp•ryilmited by&irantee S Tan1 f¢ A55ets &Audlo ShDP Shop Computer Equlpment EquipmÈAt Flttlng5 Total As*31st December 2024 5379 5723 18787 DEPREOAMON Asat 31 December 2024 5379 5723 18787 29889 NET BOOKVAWE Asat 31st Decemb¥ 2024 tsat 3tst Decembu 2023 6 DEBTOL% 2024 2023 Trade Debtor5 Other l)ebtors 2857 2258 1887 2258 7 CREDITO. Jmounts hlllw due vAthin one yt•r 2024 2023 Trade Credltors Other CTditor5 VAT payable 4836 2541 992 1888 1345 7716 4882 Anitysls of NetAsset byFund ThefiJnds are represerted bythefolknwln8 asset&. 2024 2023 104550 88132 Unrestrtcted Ftsnds Fed A55ets NetAssets 1114550 88132 9 Members Book51ve Isa company limited by¥uardntee hInG no share¢apltal ?nd in accordgnowththe MemoTamdum and Artid£s of A%soc13tlon every member is liableto contribute a maxlmumsum of £IOiTrtheevert of the L¥)mparybelng wound up. At 31 December Z024 thereVre 24 members12023-251 10 Relrted PartyTranSaCllor P4ame Juhn Pvtto¢k Nl¢kTwktr ZQZ4 Ro £13.250 £13.0 Tru5tetofBH ChAlan WtrknTTU5t £13.250 £13.fm Ytystee(IBN Chri5tvJn Wrykers Trust De5crfptlun Rems paid to 8Hwcr Rents paid ro BHWCT page IQ