The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) Report and Accounts 31 December 2023 Registered Off ice 1-6 Essex Street The Strand LONDON WC2R 3HY Registered in England as a company limited by Guarantee No: 4962252 Registered Charity No: 1101039
THE INQUIRER PUBLISHING COMPANY {2004) Charity registration number 1101039 The Seventeenth Report of the Trustees. The Trustees are pleased to present their Report and Accounts for the year ended, 31 December 2023 to the Annual Meeting of the Company held on Tuesday March 12, 2024. Reference and Administrative information: Charity name: The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) Charity Registration number 1101039 Company Registration number 4962252 Registered Office.. Essex Hall, 1-6 Essex Street, London WC2R 3HY Bankers: CAF Bank, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA Independent Examiner: Adrian P Brooks FCCA, Scott Roberts Taylor & Co, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 1AG Directors and Trustees The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its Trustees for the purpose of company law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Trustees. Chair Company Secretary: 2023) Diane Bennett, (also Trustee) Philip Tomlin, (also Trustee) (Resigned December Trustees: Rev. Stephanie Bisby Angela Maher Rev. John Midgley Rev. Feargus Maccabe O'connor Valerie Walker Editor of The Inquirer. M. Colleen Burns Administrator - Steve Bisby
THE INQUIRER PUBLISHING COMPANY (2004) Charity Registration Number: 1101039 Structure, Governance and Management Constitution The Company was incorporated under the Companies Act as a private company limited by guarantee on 13 November 2003 and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees (Directors) The Trustees retiring by rotation is John Midgley, Rev. Risk Management The Trustees have examined the major strategic and operational risks which the charity faces and confirms that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. Public Benefit Statement The Trustees take into account the Charity Commission guidan on public benefit and believe that the Company activities are in line with that guidance. Objectives Activities, Achievements and Performance Objectives The objective is to publicise the activities and values of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches by means of a fortnightly newspaper. Activity, Achievements and Performance The Board of Trustees has met, (via zoom and in-person) eight times during the year in what has been a challenging time for The Inquirer. The Board has been successful in its search for a Finance Director who is expected to be appointed in early 2024. Thanks are due to Angela Maher who stepped into the position on a temporary basis. Two Board members, Phil Tomlin and VaSerie Walker, resigned during the year, and we thank them for their service. The Board plans to recruit further members during 2024. The Board continues to be extremely grateful to those Trusts, District Associations, Churches and many individuals who have continued, and in some cases increased, their support. Some have not contributed previously which has been an encouragement. The Friends of The Inquirer scheme continues, and we are hoping that our increased promoting of this initiative will gather further support. The support of David Edwards Insurance Ltd is very welcome as is the continued support of the General Assembly. During July 2023, the Board of Trustees met to consider the long-term strategy for The Inquirer and the risks and challenges that it faced. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to a digital future for The Inquirer and subsequently agreed that it should move to an income model where 60 % of income is received from subscriptions. The Board also agreed that The Inquirer should move to a monthly publication. The Board intends to review its reserve policy once these changes have been embedded. The paper was published fortnightly except in August and December when there was a double edition to enable the editor to take a holiday. The paper will be published monthly from April 2024.
THE INQUIRER PUBLISHING COMPANY (2004) Charity Registration Number: 1101039 Financial Review Results: Currently we have approximately £15,000 in net current assets which we have stated are monies to cover our reserves policy, (see below). Income from Subscriptions was at £34,321. The cost of editing, printing and distributing the Inquirer was £52,530. The breakdown of these figures is: Printing and Paper £13,675 Postages £9,860 Editor and Editorial Assistance £27,919 Proof Reading £1,076 The overall decrease was down to the reduction in subscribers and the decrease in the costs of paper and printing). We value our readers and look forward to meeting with them at the next General Assembly meetings when we can thank them for their support and encouragement in person. The Friends of The Inquirer initiative continues, and we are aiming to increase the numbers. Reserves Policy: The Board considers that it is neSSary to hold in reserve in the unrestricted fund a sum equal to three months expenditure. This would amount to £15,000. Trustees responsibilities for preparing the accounts. The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and the application of resources, including income and expenditure of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 120) Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether UK Accounting Standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed in the financial statements. Prepare financial statements on the going-Goncern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees 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 INQUIRER PUBLISHING COMPANY (2004) Charity Registration Number: 1101039 In so far as the Trustees are aware.. 1 . There is no relevant information of which the Charitable Company's examiner is unaware: and 2. The Trustees have taken all the steps that ought to have been taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the accounts examiner is aware of that information. Accounts Examiner Scott Roberts -Taylor & Co. will be appointed at the Annual General Meeting as examiners for 2023. On behalf of the Board Rev. Stephanie Bisby Trustee 11 November 2024
THE INQUIRER PUBLISHING COMPANY (2004) Charity Registration Number: 1101039 Independent Examiners. Report to the Trustees of the Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) We have prepared the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023 on pages 7 to 10, which have been prepared on an accruals basis. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to- examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act) to follow the procedure laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commissions (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act)., and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT Our examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 EXAMINERS STATEMENT In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention (1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Charities Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011. have not been met or (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. -L.c.A. Adrian Paul Brooks FCCA Scott Roberts Taylor & Co Accountants & Registered Auditors Central Buildings 517 Corporation Street Hyde Cheshire SK14 1AG 12 November 2024
The Inquirer Publishing Company (20041 Donations received during the year to 31 December 2023 2023 loo 2022 Aberdeen Unitarians Adelaide Unitarians Boston Unita ria ns Bury Unitarians Cardiff Unitarians Croydon Unitarians Coventry Unitarians East Midlands Essex church Edinburgh Unitarians GA Harris College Keng5ington London King Edward St Chapel LDPA Mary Street Unitarian Chapel Midland Unitarian Assn NELUM New Unity North East La ncashire U nita ria n Mission Northern Unitarian Assn Rochdale Unitarians Scottish U nitarian Assn Shrewsbury Unitarian Church Southern U nitarians Yorkshire Unitarian Union Warwick Unitarians Sundry donations 15 18 io 19 200 34 53 165 700 1260 150 66 4,500 iooo 250 500 12 300 950 72 3,000 200 iooo 200 50 250 70 250 200 500 150 12 3,196 7,113 1,430 13,778
The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Note 2023 2022 Incoming resources Generated from Charitable activities Donations Interest and Dividends on Investments General Assembly Grant The Hibbert Trust Grant Gift Aid Tax recovered Realised gain on Investment Unrealised gain on Investment Total incoming resources 29,394 7,113 340 5,500 33,731 13,778 350 6,500 916 443 51 42,841 53,442 Resources expended Direct Charitable expenditure Management and Administration Unrealised loss on investment 52,530 7,890 48,145 5,762 1,517 55,424 1,982 2b 60,419 17,578 Net Incoming resources for year Unrestricted Fund at 1 January 2023 32,352 34.334 Unrestricted Fund at 31 December 2023 14,774 32,352 The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts
The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 Note Current Assets Investment Debtors Cash at Bank 898 8,744 16.673 26,315 14.404 7.416 15.900 37,720 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 11,541 5,368 Net Current Assets 14,774 32,352 Unrestricted Fund Fund Balance 14,774 32,352 For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordan with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of the accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies, regime. The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 11 November 2024 and signed on their behalf by.. Rev. Stephanio y (Trusteel The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part ofthese accounts.
The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2023 Accounting Policies The financial slatements have been prepared in accordance wilh the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) the Companies Act 2006 and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities, preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard, published 16 July 2014. Income is shown on a receivable basis and represents subscriptions and advertisment sales. Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activiities when receivable. Grants are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activiilies when receivable. 2023 2022 1. Incoming Resources Subscriptions Advertisements Friends Sundries 34,321 6,156 1,205 24 29,394 25,088 7,247 1,396 33,731 2. Resources expended a Direct Charitable expenditure Printing and Paper Postages Editor and Editorial Assistance Proof Reading 13,675 9,860 27,919 1,076 52,530 10,602 6,317 29,073 2,153 48,145 b.Management and Administration Administration Gosts Insurance Computer Costs Travel and Sundry Expenses Venue hire Advertising Bank charges PayPal fees ExaminerlAuditors Remuneration 3,212 1,394 524 760 60 200 107 123 1,510 7,890 2,446 1,199 464 428 166 1,060 5,762 c Trustees Remuneration No Trustee received any remuneration d. Trustees Expenses The Trustees were reimbursed expenses of £NIL (2022 £NIL) during the year. 3. Debtors Debtors and prepayments VAT Debtor Gift Aid receoverable 7.617 1,127 6,706 545 165 7,416 8,744 4. Creditors Subscriptions received in advance Other creditors 8,778 2,763 11,541 3,974 1,394 5,368
The Inquirer Publishing Company (2004) Notes to the Accounts - 31 December 2023 (contd) 5. Capital Commitments There were no capital commitments either contracted or authori5ed at 31 December 2023 2023 2022 6. Investment 474.383 shares Newton SRI Fund for Charities (GBP Inc.) valued at 189.33p per share 12022.. 178.61 p) Valuation at 1 January 2023 (2022) 898 14,404 13,506 14,000 494 14,404 15,921 1,517 Disposal proceeds 1,517 Unrealised (Loss}IGain on valuation 2023 (2022) Realised Gain on valuation 2023 {2022} 51 443 494 1,517 1,517 7. Liability of members In the event of the Company being wound up during the period of membership or within one year aftemards, every member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Company an amount not exceeding £10 (ten pounds) for the payments of debts and liabilities contracted up to the date of cessation of membership. The number of members at 31 December 2023'.7 (2022'.7 } 10