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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 1096617

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Trustees' report and financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2023

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Contents

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees report 2 - 3
Independent examiners' report 4
Statement of financial activities 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 12

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Legal and administrative information

Charity number 1096617
Registered office 15 Maple Grove
London
NW9 8RD
Trustees Mrs Clare McCullough (Chairman)
Alan Ashfield
Mrs Sarah Bignell
Mrs. Marguerita Carroll (Treasurer)
Fr Stephen Boyle
Accountants Andrew Passer FIFA
20 Sunningdale Close
Stanmore
Middlesex
HA7 3QL
Bankers HSBC
59- 61 The Mall Stratford Centre
Stratford
London
E15 1XF
Solicitors Pothecary, Witham Weld Solicitors
70 St George's Square
London
SW1V 3RD

Page 1

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by five Trustees. The trustees are appointed every four years at the Charity’s AGM and the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer constitute the Officers. The trustees meet four times a year to consider strategic issues and policies affecting the Charity. Further meetings of the Trustees can be called as required. The Trustees ensure that they have taken the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance into account when making any decision it is relevant to.

Objectives and activities

The charity's principal objectives are as follows:

The provision of education, instruction and information on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church particularly in relation to sexual morality and life issues.

The relief in cases of need, hardship or distress of women who are pregnant or are mothers, and of their families and dependants.

The provision of financial support to organisations which assist women who are pregnant or are mothers by providing them with services such as financial assistance, counselling, support, information, safe-houses, accommodation, education, employment, baby-sitting, and services which assist women in continuing their pregnancies, provided that all such services are in accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Achievements and performance

The Guild this year has been able to provide grants of £195,040 (2022 £154,294) to organisations which provide appropriate ongoing support and advice and information to expectant and new Mothers. We have also provided £97,876 (2022 £105,338) worth of grants to individual Mothers in the most difficult of circumstances. Finally, we have provided thousands of pounds worth of baby clothes, milk, nappies and new and used baby equipment. We are for the second year running increasing the amount of financial support and vouchers we provide because of the increased cost of living.

Financial review

Total donations decreased from £343,611 last year to £329,245 this year, whilst our charitable expenditure increased by £11,650 from £402,109 to £413,759. This reflects the increased cost of living which has resulted in a drop off in donations to charities generally. The Trustees are happy to report that we still have a healthy cumulative surplus of £1,226,257 to be carried forward for future years. We continue to assist other charities, councils and social services departments by keeping expectant and new Mothers in accommodation through helping with their rent, and also provide financial support, maternity goods and assistance in the home or with temporary childcare solutions for Mothers with little or no access to public funds. Our Internship (Voluntary Worker) Programme continues to provide training which we hope will encourage volunteers to remain involved in similar work in the future.

Plans for future periods

We are developing means of involving more of our supporters in volunteering to help and support the Mothers we serve. We are also using new forms of media to alert volunteers to items that are urgently needed by expectant and new mums, with much success. We continue to run a little clothes and equipment bank to assist our “clients” and sometimes others who are referred to us.

Page 2

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

On behalf of the board

Mrs Clare McCullough (Chairman) Trustee 10 December 2023

Page 3

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

I report on the accounts of The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel for the year ended 31 March 2023 set out on pages 2 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act), does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act, as amended; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, as amended; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Andrew Passer FIFA

Independent examiner 10 December 2023

Page 4

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Unrestricted 2023 2022
funds Total Total
Notes £ £ £
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generating funds:
Voluntary income 2 327,737 327,737 343,516
Investment income 3 1,508 1,508 95
Total incoming resources 329,245 329,245 343,611
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds:
Fundraising trading:
cost of goods sold and other costs 4 732 732 1,061
Charitable activities 5 403,522 403,522 399,121
Governance costs 7 9,505 9,505 1,927
Total resources expended 413,759 413,759 402,109
Total funds brought forward 1,310,771 1,310,771 1,369,269
Total funds carried forward 1,226,257 1,226,257 1,310,771

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 5

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current
liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year
14
Net assets
Funds
15
Unrestricted income funds
Total funds		 2023
2022
£
£
£
£
1,203,908
256,943
33,036
103,716
12,274
972,369
45,310
1,076,085
)
(4,961
)
(4,257
40,349
1,071,828
1,244,257
1,328,771
)
(18,000
)
(18,000
1,226,257
1,310,771
1,226,257
1,310,771
1,226,257
1,310,771

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 10 December 2023 and signed on its behalf by

Mrs Clare McCullough (Chairman) Trustee

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 6

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

1.1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRSSE)

1.2. Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

Gifts donated for resale are included as incoming resources within activities for generating funds when they are sold.

Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable.

Legacies are included when the charity is advised by the personal representative of an estate that payment will be made or property transferred and the amount involved can be quantified.

1.3. Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income including events.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Fund raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management.

Page 7

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2023

1.4. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

2.
Voluntary income
Unrestricted
funds
£
General Donations
156,829
Donations via gift aid
130,945
Gift aid tax recovered
32,586
Other donations
1,289
Legacies
6,088
327,737
3.
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
£
Other interest receivable
1,508
1,508
4.
Fundraising trading
Unrestricted
funds
£
Fundraising events
732
732		 2023
Total
£
156,829
130,945
32,586
1,289
6,088
327,737
2023
Total
£
1,508
1,508
2023
Total
£
732
732		 2022
Total
£
146,928
109,919
27,468
2,155
57,046
343,516
2022
Total
£
95
95
2022
Total
£
1,061
1,061

Page 8

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2023

5.
Costs of charitable activities - by fund type
Unrestricted
funds
£
Grants to GCN London
195,040
Interns
11,606
Grants to mothers
97,876
Home for mothers
-
Building expenses
44,080
Support costs
54,920
403,522		 2023
Total
£
195,040
11,606
97,876
-
44,080
54,920
403,522		 2022
Total
£
154,294
6,756
105,338
327
86,938
45,468
399,121
6.
Costs of charitable activities - by activity
Activities
undertaken
directly
£
Grants to GCN London
-
Interns
11,606
Grants to mothers
-
Home for mothers
-
Building expenses
44,080
Support costs
100
55,786		 Grant
funding
activities
£
195,040
-
97,876
-
-
-
292,916		 Support
costs
£
-
-
-
-
-
54,820
54,820		 2023
Total
£
195,040
11,606
97,876
-
44,080
54,920
403,522		 2022
Total
£
154,294
6,756
105,338
327
86,938
45,468
399,121

7. Governance costs

Governance costs
Unrestricted 2023 2022
funds Total Total
£ £ £
Professional - Accountancy fees 3,607 3,607 1,927
Professional - Legal fees 5,898 5,898 -
9,505 9,505 1,927

Page 9

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

8. Analysis of support costs

Unrestricted
Funds
£
Staff costs
19,516
Telephone
3,271
Printing, postage and stationery
27,587
Depreciation and impairment
1,662
Bank charges
987
Other costs
1,797
54,820
9.
Employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2022 : None).		 2023
Total
£
19,516
3,271
27,587
1,662
987
1,797
54,820
2023
£
19,516		 2022
Total
£
19,887
2,463
19,047
539
1,687
1,671
45,294
2022
£
19,887

Number of employees

The average monthly numbers of employees (including the trustees) during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:

full time equivalents, was as follows:
2023 2022
Number Number
Administration 1 1

10. Trustees' emoluments

None of the trustees were paid any remuneration or expenses during the year (2018 - £nil)

Page 10

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Land and Fixtures,
11. Tangible fixed assets **buildings ** fittings and
freehold equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2022 397,297 36,890 434,187
Additions 972,500 3,523 976,023
At 31 March 2023 1,369,797 40,413 1,410,210
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 142,195 35,049 177,244
Charge for the year 27,396 1,662 29,058
At 31 March 2023 169,591 36,711 206,302
Net book values
At 31 March 2023 1,200,206 3,702 1,203,908
At 31 March 2022 255,102 1,841 256,943
12. Debtors
2023 2022
£ £
Other debtors 33,036 103,716
13. Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors 4,349 3,651
Other creditors 612 606
4,961 4,257
14. Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 2023 2022
£ £
Other loan 18,000 18,000
The mortgage is secured over the freehold property of the Charity.

Page 11

The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Total
funds funds
£ £
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 as represented by:
Tangible fixed assets 1,203,908 1,203,908
Current assets 45,310 45,310
Current liabilities (4,961 ) (4,961 )
Long-term liabilities (18,000 ) (18,000 )
1,226,257 1,226,257
16. Unrestricted funds
Incoming Outgoing
2022 resources resources 2023
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds 1,310,771 329,245 )
(413,759		 1,226,257

Purposes of unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds may be used for any purpose deemed by the trustees to comply with the objects of the charity

Page 12