OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-09-30-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05514023 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1111085

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

for

The Knowle Society

West - Chartered Accountants Office 2 Greswolde House 197b Station Road Knowle Solihull West Midlands B93 0PU

The Knowle Society

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 15 to 16

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).

Page 1

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects and powers of the Society, in the governing Memorandum, are:

These objectives have been achieved largely through the work of the committees, Planning, Community Services, Local History, Meetings & Social and Walks and Natural Environment. Information on the Society's activities has been publicised through the Newsletter, the website and social media.

Methods used to recruit and appoint new charity trustees

The Trustee Directors may at any time co-opt a member who is qualified to be appointed as an Ordinary Trustee Director to take office until the next AGM, upon which, if elected at the AGM may serve for a period of three years. A retiring Trustee Director who remains qualified may stand for re-election at an AGM. Officers of the Society (Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer) are elected by the members at the AGM.

Community Services Committee

The Community Services Committee continues to maintain close contacts with Solihull M.B.C., the Police, Public Transport providers, and the Airport to ensure that the views of the Society are heard in all relevant areas. We have continued with the help of volunteers to undertake litter picking and maintain the flower beds in the precinct.

We were able again to raise funds including a donation from the Society to continue the maintenance of the Knot Garden for 2020/21.

Local History Committee

The year has obviously not allowed for much activity in Local History. The exigencies of lockdown meant that the library was closed therefore we had no access to the Archive for some considerable time. As a result, no new exhibitions were possible either but Angela Bird's "Pubs of Knowle" was kept in place. This is a comprehensive colourful and very interesting display. We are concluding our survey of "Covid and Knowle" for future reference including photos of a totally deserted high Street.

We are very sorry that our doughty chairman, Janet Eržen, was prevented by illness from finishing her term of office as she intended in February at the AGM. We are delighted that she has willingly agreed to take up the role of consultant to the committee so we will not lose her enormous pool of knowledge of the village and its inhabitants both past and present. We are also delighted that we have two new or nearly new members in Ann Bower and Bill Bohanna. Ann has taken over from Kathy Jephcott as Archivist and Bill brings his technical expertise and enthusiasm to the task.

We look forward to putting on more exhibitions in 2022 (several already planned) and to celebrating our 60th anniversary at the beginning of October.

Page 2

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Planning Committee

With the continuing presence of the pandemic which now seems as though it will be with us for some time to come, the Planning Committee has adapted to the various restraints remarkably well especially from the return of live meetings.

We have been able to continue monitoring the Council website and the number of applications we have considered in some detail has maintained a relatively high percentage of the total applications submitted to the Council.

The Conservation Area has seen a number of applications which are likely to affect it, but the over-riding concern is an apparent lack of understanding by the planners as to the importance placed on it through the - recently revised - National Planning Policy Framework. This document calls on the planners to ensure the considerable number of safeguards noted therein are, in fact, rigidly maintained. As reported from time to time in the newsletter, this does not always happen and the consequence will be there for all to see once the approved development has been completed.

We have noted that beyond our normal 'sphere' of the Society's activities, ie within the Ecclesiastical Parish Boundary, at least two applications have been submitted for large houses - within the Green Belt - but in nearby Chadwick End. We have seen - and continue to endure - the downside of one such very large development just outside that boundary, but that and the other two new ones now on the horizon, all have a Knowle address. We try and do what we feel is necessary in each and every situation.

Once more we have seen a further increase in the rights of owners to extend their properties - without the planning process having an input - following yet more relaxation arising from the recent changes made in Permitted Development rules.

Finally, the current public hearings in the draft Local Plan are expected to finish in January but we will not know whether the objections put forward by us in our support of the Neighbourhood Forum will bring about some relief to us here in Knowle but, in the overall 'scheme of things', we will know soon enough!

Natural Environment Committee

NEC activity has been very limited this year both due to Covid restrictions and to lack of volunteers. Attempts to recruit more members to help Liz Hulse and Mike Fisher initially appeared hopeful but came to nothing and the need for more volunteers remains as great as ever. This situation became much worse with the shock news of the death of NEC stalwart Mike Fisher in August. He has been a long standing and active supporter of the committee and will be sadly missed.

Therefore the focus has been on monitoring and supporting SMBC environment activity; in particular the improvement plans for the ponds at Jobs Close and Bridgemeadow Drive. In essence the intention in each case is to remove the heavy silt build up by installing permeable membranes and introduce marginal areas for planting. There will be associated activities including introducing aerating plants, removing some of the tree canopy to let more light in, improving the inflows and outflows and providing new interpretation panels. The funding for this is coming, strangely, from previously allocated EU funding aimed at wetland habitat improvement.

The committee is also looking at possible initiatives around tree protection and planting; particularly with the Society's 60th Anniversary in mind!

Library

The library staff have worked hard to provide the best service possible during a difficult period of time and new staff have recently been recruited. Unfortunately, social restrictions during the pandemic meant that our library volunteers were unable to help during the year. The Knowle Society has appreciated the library's support to access the Local History archives in order to respond to email and telephone enquiries. The Local History Centre in the Library is now open on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday morning from 10.00 to 12.30 each month. We welcome visitors to view the latest exhibition or raise queries or questions about local history.

Page 3

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Meetings, Social & Walks

The Society's activities for members and the public were severely affected by following the government restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic but we did what we could to keep Members and the public involved. Face to face meetings and talks were cancelled but replaced by online talks from a variety of Speakers tackling local issues including health, education, housing needs and road traffic. All walks were cancelled, including the key one of the year on Boxing Day. The Village Christmas Tree which has always been organised by the Society was provided and erected as usual, but the annual ceremony of switching on the Christmas Lights went ahead without the public present being replaced by an online video and count-down which was much appreciated.

Website and newsletter

In addition to its quarterly Members' Newsletter, the Society continues to make use of social media and direct emailing to keep Members up to date with Society events and other village activities. These took on a greater importance when members' activities were curtailed by pandemic restrictions, particularly for those who were shielding.

Love Knowle Park Project

The Knowle Society under the project management of Alistair Innes with governance from the Society, successfully completed the planned upgrade to the Knowle Park Playground area. Thanks to the Public, Corporate and Charitable donations which saw over £65k invested in play facilities for children and teenagers.

Financial results for the Year

The year ending September 30th, 2021, saw an increase in the General Fund of £2,461 to stand at £20,090. In addition, the Society held funds for the Love Knowle Park Project which saw income of £55,883 and expenditure of £56,024. The Society was also delighted to receive a legacy from the late Mary Riley, which has totalled £45,000 to date.

Financial aims for the forthcoming year

The trustees will be looking to apply the Mary Riley legacy to a variety of projects supporting the aims of the Society

.

Membership

Membership on 30th September 2021 stood at 2,705; a reduction of 84 on the previous year, mostly arising from deaths or members moving away. Income from subscriptions was slightly down from last year reflecting the lower membership numbers.

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy of the Society is that sufficient funds are retained to cover a minimum of one year's normal expenditure. The end of year balance was comfortably above that level.

Full set of accounts

The full set of accounts will be available in due course by request from the Treasurer, on the Society's website at https://www.knowlesociety.org.uk/about/report-and-accounts/ or by emailing treasurer@knowlesociety.org.uk

Gifts in Kind

The Trustee Directors and many other volunteers give freely their time and expertise. It is not considered meaningful to place an accurate value on this gift.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: A. Marston (Chairman) - Trustee Director 7th January 2022

Page 4

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and is a company limited by guarantee. The Company registration number is 05514023. As a Charity we are also governed by the provisions of the Charities Act 2016. Our Charity registration number is 1111085.

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. A review of the major risks has been carried out and no additional actions found necessary.

Data Protection

The trustees maintain an ongoing review of data protection and take the issue of personal data protection very seriously. Anyone wishing to request a copy of their personal data, as held by the Society, may email datacontroller@knowlesociety.org.uk to make a Subject Access Request.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

05514023 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1111085

Registered office

c/o West - Chartered Accountants Office 2 Greswolde House 197b Station Road Knowle, Solihull West Midlands B93 0PU

Trustees

A J Marston (Chairman) D J Bower (Deputy Chairman) D N Watson (Treasurer) J Erzen L T Jones D A Pinwell E M Baker M S W Warr A C Bird M T Brown (Secretary) R S Marston G Allan D M Fraley A P Innes (appointed 21/10/2020)

Independent Examiner

West - Chartered Accountants Office 2 Greswolde House 197b Station Road Knowle Solihull West Midlands B93 0PU

Page 5

The Knowle Society

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Bankers

Lloyds Bank Plc 9/11 Poplar Road Solihull B91 3AN

Charities Aid Foundation - CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............. February 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ A J Marston (Chairman) - Trustee

Page 6

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Knowle Society

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Knowle Society ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30th September 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

West - Chartered Accountants Office 2 Greswolde House 197b Station Road Knowle Solihull West Midlands B93 0PU

Date: .............................................

Page 7

The Knowle Society

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
11,501
Other trading activities
2
1,166
Investment income
3
19
Total
12,686
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
3,782
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
4,806
Other
1,636
Total
10,224
NET INCOME
2,462
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
17,628
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
20,090		 Restricted
funds
£
100,882
-
-
100,882
-
56,109
-
56,109
44,773
18,836
63,609		 2021
Total
funds
£
112,383
1,166
19
113,568
3,782
60,915
1,636
66,333
47,235
36,464
83,699		 2020
Total
funds
£
18,699
1,800
103
20,602
5,297
4,793
1,824
11,914
8,688
27,776
36,464

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

The Knowle Society

Balance Sheet 30th September 2021

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank
22,685
63,609
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(2,595)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS
20,090
63,609
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
20,090
63,609
NET ASSETS
20,090
63,609
FUNDS
8
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2021
Total
funds
£
86,294
(2,595)
83,699
83,699
83,699
20,090
63,609
83,699		 2020
Total
funds
£
37,822
(1,358)
36,464
36,464
36,464
17,628
18,836
36,464

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th September 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............. February 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

.............................................

A J Marston (Chairman) - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

The Knowle Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2021 2020
£ £
Quiz night - 799
Guides, cards & DVD's 1,166 1,001
1,166 1,800
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2021 2020
£ £
Bank interest 19 103

continued...

Page 10

The Knowle Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30th September 2021 nor for the year ended 30th September 2020.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30th September 2021 nor for the year ended 30th September 2020.

5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (30 SEPTEMBER 2020)

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
13,621
5,078
Other trading activities
1,800
-
Investment income
103
-
Total
15,524
5,078
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
5,297
-
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
3,751
1,042
Other
1,824
-
Total
10,872
1,042
NET INCOME
4,652
4,036
Transfers between funds
(5,000)
5,000
Net movement in funds
(348)
9,036
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
17,976
9,800
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
17,628
18,836		 Total
funds
£
18,699
1,800
103
20,602
5,297
4,793
1,824
11,914
8,688
-
8,688
27,776
36,464

continued...

Page 11

The Knowle Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
COST
At 1st October 2020 and
30th September 2021 6,225
DEPRECIATION
At 1st October 2020 and
30th September 2021 6,225
NET BOOK VALUE
At 30th September 2021 -
At 30th September 2020 -
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2021 2020
£ £
Other creditors 2,595 1,358
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
At movement At
1.10.20 in funds 30.9.21
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 17,628 2,462 20,090
Restricted funds
SUSTAiN Award 207 - 207
Natural Enviroment Fund 8,551 (85) 8,466
Playground Project 10,078 (142) 9,936
Mary Riley Legacy - 45,000 45,000
18,836 44,773 63,609
TOTAL FUNDS 36,464 47,235 83,699

continued...

Page 12

The Knowle Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Natural Enviroment Fund
Playground Project
Mary Riley Legacy
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
12,686
-
55,882
45,000
100,882
113,568		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(10,224)
2,462
(85)
(85)
(56,024)
(142)
-
45,000
(56,109)
44,773
(66,333)
47,235

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
SUSTAiN Award
Natural Enviroment Fund
Playground Project
TOTAL FUNDS		 Net
Transfers
At
movement
between
At
1.10.19
in funds
funds
30.9.20
£
£
£
£
17,976
4,652
(5,000)
17,628
207
-
-
207
9,593
(1,042)
-
8,551
-
5,078
5,000
10,078
9,800
4,036
5,000
18,836
27,776
8,688
-
36,464

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 15,524 (10,872) 4,652
Restricted funds
Natural Enviroment Fund - (1,042) (1,042)
Playground Project 5,078 - 5,078
5,078 (1,042) 4,036
TOTAL FUNDS 20,602 (11,914) 8,688

continued...

Page 13

The Knowle Society

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
SUSTAiN Award
Natural Enviroment Fund
Playground Project
Mary Riley Legacy
TOTAL FUNDS		 Net
Transfers
At
movement
between
At
1.10.19
in funds
funds
30.9.21
£
£
£
£
17,976
7,114
(5,000)
20,090
207
-
-
207
9,593
(1,127)
-
8,466
-
4,936
5,000
9,936
-
45,000
-
45,000
9,800
48,809
5,000
63,609
27,776
55,923
-
83,699

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Natural Enviroment Fund
Playground Project
Mary Riley Legacy
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
28,210
-
60,960
45,000
105,960
134,170		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(21,096)
7,114
(1,127)
(1,127)
(56,024)
4,936
-
45,000
(57,151)
48,809
(78,247)
55,923

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30th September 2021.

Page 14

The Knowle Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Subscriptions
Taxation refund
Other trading activities
Quiz night
Guides, cards & DVD's
Investment income
Bank interest
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Meeting expenses
Social events & visits
Newsletter & printing
Advertising & website
Membership expenditure
Gifts & hospitality
Cost of calendars & cards
Charitable activities
Local History Centre
Christmas expenses
Telephone box project
Donations given
Planning committee
Natural environment, owl & knot garden projects
Playground project
Support costs
Governance costs
Insurance
Carried forward		 2021
£
100,894
9,645
1,844
112,383
-
1,166
1,166
19
113,568
237
-
2,336
489
225
-
495
3,782
152
-
250
3,166
734
589
56,024
60,915
763
763		 2020
£
5,698
10,809
2,192
18,699
799
1,001
1,800
103
20,602
227
551
2,868
419
751
88
393
5,297
220
630
353
1,527
421
1,642
-
4,793
435
435

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15

The Knowle Society

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30th September 2021

Governance costs
Brought forward
Storage facilities
Trustee meetings & expenses
Sundry governance expenditure
Accountancy
Total resources expended
Net income		 2021
£
763
225
44
22
582
1,636
66,333
47,235		 2020
£
435
450
97
272
570
1,824
11,914
8,688

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16