**Registered number: 07618194 Charity number: 1142619**
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report and financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' report**|2 - 13|
|**Trustees' responsibilities statement**|14|
|**Independent auditors' report on the financial statements**|15 - 18|
|**Statement of financial activities**|19|
|**Balance sheet**|20|
|**Statement of cash flows**|21|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|22 - 39|
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 30 June 2023**
|**Trustees**|Alice Lundy, Students'Union President (appointed 1 July 2023)|
|---|---|
||Daniel Bichener, Students'Union President (resigned 30 June 2023)|
||Francesca McGregor, President (Community, Diversity & Inclusion) (resigned 30
June 2023)|
||John Adams, Community Trustee|
||Joseph Cooper, Community Trustee|
||Michael Wigg, Community Trustee|
||Thomas Abbott, Community Trustee (appointed 1 July 2023)|
||Graham Briscoe, Community Trustee|
||Inés Abella Romero, Student Trustee (appointed 1 July 2022)|
||Oliver King, Student Trustee|
||Samantha Block, Student Trustee (appointed 23 June 2023)|
||Marthijs Reeves, Student Trustee (appointed 13 March 2023)|
||Udel William, Student Trustee (appointed 19 January 2023)|
||Max Elvin, Student Trustee (appointed 1 July 2022)|
||Professor Alison Honour, University Trustee|
|**Company registered**
**number**
07618194
**Charity registered**
**number**
1142619
**Registered office**
Anselm
North Holmes Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1QU
**Chief executive officer**
**Head of Engagement**
**and Deputy CEO**
**Head of Business &**
**Development**
Ben MacPhee
Kate Little (resigned 29 July 2022)
Hannah Alcock (appointed 14 November 2022)
Chi Lau
**Independent auditors**
Kreston Reeves LLP
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
37 St Margaret's Street
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2TU
**Bankers**
Metro Bank
2 St George's St
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2SR||
Page 1
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **INTRODUCTION**
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, submit their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2023. In preparing this Report the trustees have complied with the Charities Act (2006), the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (revised 2005) (‘the Charity SORP’) and the constitution of Christ Church Students’ Union.
The official name of the organisation is Christ Church Students’ Union, however, the organisation is also referred to as ‘the Union’ and ‘CCSU’.
## **STATUS AND ADMINISTRATION**
The Union is constituted in accordance with its constitution and is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Following the Charities Act (2006) and the withdrawal of exempt charitable status for organisations with annual turnover exceeding £100,000, the Union subsequently registered with the Charity Commission in April 2011, Charity No. 1142619. The Union's major governing document is the Articles of Association, which were passed by an Annual Members’ Meeting of students on 6 November 2020, approved by the Governing Body of Canterbury Christ Church University on 23 March 2021, before being ratified by the Board of Trustees on 6 April 2021.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, AND MANAGEMENT**
The Union is a membership organisation that is governed by a written constitution and via democratic structures detailed in its constitution. The constitution of the Union is the collective of the major governing document; the Articles of Association, and the minor governing document; the Bye-Laws of Christ Church Students’ Union.
Students of Canterbury Christ Church University automatically become members of Christ Church Students’ Union upon enrolment at the University. Students have the right under the Education Act 1994 to opt-out of Union membership; once their student status at the University ends (upon recommendation for an award) they cease to be members of the Union. The Union’s Articles of Association are reviewed at least every five years and any changes approved by members, through a General Meeting, and by the Governing Body of the University.
The Union has several formal and informal agreements with the University that ensure effective regulation under the 1994 Education Act as well as establish the independence of the Union from the University, whilst ensuring the two organisations work in close partnership for the benefit of students. These are:
- The Student and University Partnership Agreement;
- The Code of Practice for the Operation of the Students’ Union;
- The Data Sharing and Protection Agreement;
- The annual Financial Memorandum; and
- Three professional service level agreements covering Information Technology, Human Resources and Facilities.
- The Board of Trustees comprises of up to eighteen trustees with the following designations:
- Up to five (5) Sabbatical Trustees, elected by a secret ballot open to all members of the Union;
- Up to six (6) Student Trustees, either elected by a secret ballot open to all members of the Union, or appointed by the Appointments Panel of the Union;
- Up to six (6) Community Trustees, selected by the Appointments Panel of the Union; and
- One (1) University Trustee, nominated by the University and selected by the Appointments Panel.
Sabbatical Trustees are full-time and receive a bursary to reflect this, they may serve up to two terms of one (1) year. Student Trustees are volunteers and are not remunerated, but may claim legitimate expenses, and they are eligible to serve two (2) terms of two (2) years. Community Trustees and the University Trustee are also volunteers who may claim legitimate expenses, and can serve three (3) terms of three (3) years.
The Chair and the Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees are elected by the Board of Trustees on an annual basis, according to the Articles of Association.
Page 2
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **INDUCTION AND TRAINING OF TRUSTEES**
When becoming trustees, all trustees undergo a predefined induction program which is supplemented with relevant training for their role. Further training is offered during their trusteeship.
## **CHARITY GOVERNANCE CODE**
The Union is best placed to achieve its ambitions if it has effective governance, the right leadership structures, and skilled and capable staff and trustees. Good governance also supports the Union’s compliance with relevant legislation and regulation and promotes a culture where everything works towards fulfilling the charity’s vision.
The Charity Governance Code has been developed by a steering group, with the help of over 200 charities, and is endorsed and recommended by the Charities Commission. The Code aims to help charities and their trustees develop high standards of governance and is intended as a practical tool to help trustees achieve this, and as a tool for continuous improvement towards the highest standards.
The Code is not a legal or regulatory requirement, instead, the Code sets the principles and recommended practice for good governance and is deliberately aspirational: some elements of the Code will be a stretch to achieve. The enhanced Code for students’ unions covers:
1. Organisational Purpose - The board is clear about the charity’s aims and ensures that these are being delivered effectively and sustainably.
2. Leadership - Every charity is headed by an effective board that provides strategic leadership in line with the charity’s aims and values.
3. Integrity - The board acts with integrity, adopting values and creating a culture which helps achieve the organisation’s charitable purposes. The board is aware of the importance of the public’s confidence and trust in charities, and trustees undertake their duties accordingly.
4. Decision-making, risk and control - The board makes sure that its decision-making processes are informed, rigorous and timely, and that effective delegation, control and risk-assessment, and management systems are set up and monitored.
5. Board effectiveness - The board works as an effective team, using the appropriate balance of skills, experience, backgrounds and knowledge to make informed decisions.
6. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - The board’s approach to diversity supports its effectiveness, leadership and decision making.
7. Openness and accountability - The board leads the organisation in being transparent and accountable.
8. Representation, Interests and Democracy - The students’ union is established as a democratic organisation that fundamentally exists to represent the needs of its membership. The principle of 'Democracy' is fundamental to all Students' Unions and is enshrined in the 1994 Education Act. This principle looks for students' unions to demonstrate that their membership is at the heart of the organisation. It also sets an expectation that students' unions should have fair and transparent democratic processes and procedures which are accessible to all.
In January 2022 trustees participated in a self-assessment exercise against the updated SU Charity Governance Code, which is a tailored version of the Charity Governance Code published by the National Union of Students. This was part of a wider governance review that took place during 2021/2 that also included a review of the subcommittee structure underneath the Board of Trustees, which created the new Charitable Services SubCommittee, and agreed updated Terms of Reference for all four sub-committees. Trustees revisited this selfassessment in January 2023.
## **DATA PROTECTION**
The Trustees embraced the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which replaced the 1995 Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC) when it came into force on 25 May 2018, and now the UK GDPR after the UK left the EU in January 2020. Compliance of the regulation is the responsibility of the Data Protection Champion, which during 2021/22 was the Head of Business & Development.
Page 3
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **SUSTAINABILITY**
Christ Church Students' Union has embedded a commitment to sustainability throughout the organisation. This has included previously gaining 'Excellent' in the NUS Green Impact Award scheme across multiple years, gaining accreditation alongside the University in the NUS Responsible Futures scheme which looks at partnership working between the University and Students' Union in all aspects of work relating to sustainability, and recognising the Climate Emergency by signing the EAUC’s Climate Emergency Pledge in 2019.
## **RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES**
The trustees are ultimately responsible for the governance of Christ Church Students' Union. They are also responsible for the operations of the Union. This includes approving policy, procedure, strategy, budgets, and ensuring compliance with the Articles of Association, Bye-Laws, and the requirements of companies acts and education acts.
The trustees (who are also the directors of Christ Church Students' Union Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
## Trustees:
- Accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity, and ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of members;
- Abide, individually and collectively, to the Nolan Principles;
- Undertake a skills audit upon recruitment (Community Trustees, University Trustee and Selected Student Trustees only);
- Undergo a full induction upon starting office;
- Undertake continuous professional development as a trustee, and
- Complete and keep an updated Register of Interests.
The Board of Trustees has agreed, and reviews annually, a Democratic Bodies Scheme of Authority and Delegation of Authority which provides a framework for the responsibility and authority of the democratic and management pillars of the organisation. This was last reviewed and approved in June 2022 for the 2022/23 financial year.
- The Board of Trustees has four sub-committees:
- **Finance & Risk Sub-Committee** , which has delegated responsibility from the Board of Trustees for ensuring the Union complies with relevant legislation and regulations; acts in accordance with the Union’s mission, vision and values; that the Union remains solvent and in sound financial health and analysing and managing the Union’s overall risk profile.
- **Charitable Services Sub-Committee** , which has responsibility for and oversight of the Union’s charitable services - sports, societies, volunteering, student voice, campaigns, and student events.
- **Appointments Committee** , which has the delegated authority over trustee appointments.
- • **Appraisal Committee** , which has delegated authority over the performance management of the Chief Executive Officer.
The Board of Trustees appoint staff to take responsibility for operational aspects of the Union, via the Delegation of Authority, and monitor their performance. The trustees will work with the staff and officers to ensure consistency of the service delivered and advise on the policy and direction of the Union as appropriate. The trustees meet a minimum of four times per year, with the dates of these meetings set for the year ahead according to availability of the members. The attendance record for the main Board of Trustees meeting is detailed below:
Page 4
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act (2006) to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. The charitable purposes of Christ Church Students' Union are stated in the 'Objects and Activities' and the Trustees ensure that these purposes are carried out for the public benefit.
## **OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES - OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSE**
Christ Church Students' Unions ("the Union") charitable objects are the advancement and education of students at Canterbury Christ Church University for the public benefit by:
- Being acknowledged as the recognised representative body for all students enrolled on a recognised program of study at Canterbury Christ Church University;
- Promoting the interests of students at Canterbury Christ Church University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising members;
- Being acknowledged as the recognised representative channel between the students and the university and a representative channel between the students and any other external bodies;
- Providing social and recreational activities for members;
- Promoting cooperation with other universities and colleges and the local community;
- Promoting the welfare and individual development of members and providing advice services relating to educational and welfare issues, and
- Raising funds for other charitable entities.
The Union has referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
**Our Vision** - ‘to empower, encourage, and support every student’
**Our Mission** - ‘to better student life and enrich students’ experiences’
**Our Ambition** - "is to play a central role in the lives of students through comprehensive support and facilitating student-led representation and opportunities; both to improve students’ experiences and help ensure graduates are highly employable".
Page 5
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
|**Our Values**||
|---|---|
|**Student-led & democratic**|We are run by students, for students, and believe in the power of democratic|
||student-led decision making.|
|**Inclusive**|We value the diversity of our student body and the communities we live in.|
||This, together with a commitment to equality of opportunity and actively|
||removing barriers to participation, ensures we have an accessible, inclusive,|
||and cohesive culture.|
|**Dependable & professional**|We pride ourselves on being a Union that students and stakeholders can trust|
||and rely upon, and being an organisation that staff and volunteers want to be a|
||part of.|
|**Supportive**|The foundation of us as a union is to be there for our Members throughout their|
||journey as a student.|
|**Partnership**|We have a belief in collectivism and recognise we do not stand alone in our|
||communities. To achieve the best outcomes for our Members we will work with|
||others to achieve our mission and make a bigger impact.|
|**Respect**|We are respectful of our Members, partners, stakeholders and our team. We|
||welcome and respect diverse views and recognise their importance in creating|
||a vibrant student community.|
|**Fun!**|Student experiences should be safe, fun, and memorable, and we will engage|
||with our Members on this basis and ensure fun is reflected in all we do.|
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE 2022/23**
2022/23 was actually the fourth year of the Union’s originally three-year strategic plan and Christ Church Students' Union continued a positive path of development whilst navigating a highly uncertain and challenging operating post-pandemic context.
This Report has been divided into sub-headings concerning the five Strategic Themes and five Strategic Enablers of Your Union Plan 2019-22.
## **KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS**
*This represents the average satisfaction during the year
Page 6
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
**STUDENT VOICE** - Representing you is our number one priority. It is why we exist. We will enhance our reach, depth, and impact in this by listening to, and really hearing, your academic and non-academic wants, needs, and concerns. Then, with you, doing something about them by driving change at Christ Church, locally, and nationally.
We recruited 485 Course Reps, with high levels of engagement, as we saw the highest ever amount of Course Reps trained.
Union Council recruited a full compliment of student volunteers to sit on our Union Council, meeting 5 times a year. They decided on campaigns for the year and the response of the Union to the UCU planned industrial strike action in 2022/23.
We launched our EUR campaign (Educated. Understand. Respect). This included sending the Transgender and Non-Binary students’ officer to multiple classrooms to speak about their campaign. We shared forms designed by the Transgender and Non-Binary students’ officer to share with staff and students regarding their knowledge of pronouns and situational experiences of being misgendered. We also organised daytime hustings across both the Canterbury and Medway campus. The campaign will now sit under the wider campaign Expect Respect.
We conducted focus groups with international students supported by Course Reps, Union Council Officers and students from the Indian Cultural Society. These informal focus groups seeked to understand the experiences of International Students at CCCU. 50 international students engaged with these focus groups.
**SUPPORT AND WELLBEING** - We will strive to ensure you are healthy, happy, and safe, but also informed and empowered to make your own choices. As a Union we will be there for you and work with others to provide support, as well as creating student-led peer support networks to do the same.
We helped 708 students receive the advice and support they needed - this is the highest number of cases our advice centre has ever seen.
We re-opened Cafe 41 with free tea, coffee, soup and snacks and held a series of themed informative and fun events each week to support students with the cost of living and learning crisis and we had an average of 70 students attend each takeover. We encouraged suggestions and thoughts from students that we took to the University to address and action on successfully to really make a difference.
We have been helping make Canterbury a safer place by being a key part of the Safer Streets 4 bid securing £589,042 to tackle violence against women and girls in Canterbury.
We ran two Stress-Less campaigns working alongside the library team, Students’ Green Office and Sports Team to support students during their exam and assignment period by providing them with various outlets to de-stress such as; meditation, upcycling, free hot chocolate and ice-cream and fruit and water walkarounds handing free water and fruits to students.
**OPPORTUNITIES AND EMPLOYABILITY -** University is so much more than a degree. We will enable you to fulfil your potential and enrich your experiences in a way that is fun, memorable, and student-led, all the while enabling you to develop new skills and enhance your employability.
We spent £4000 on the Access to Opportunities Fund to give students a chance to be part of opportunities during the financial crisis. Some of this money paid for student memberships and for teams to compete in competitions they would not have otherwise have be able to afford.
Working with Christ Church Sport & Active Health and SportsLab, we went through a rigorous kit tender process and awarded New Balance a contract to provide kit for our sports teams. This ensures our teams have the best quality kit for training and competitions.
We trained 248 student clubs and societies committee members in March ready for the new academic year.
We delivered the Sports Fed Awards and Societies Awards, where students were nominated by their peers and celebrated for their achievements.
Page 7
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
**BELONGING AND INCLUSION** - We are here to help you discover who you are and find your friendship groups. We commit to breaking down barriers, creating and supporting safe spaces, tackling isolation, and to actively celebrate the diversity of Christ Church and the communities we are a part of.
We delivered Academic Myth Busting Training to 248 students to give them better knowledge and understanding of university policy and procedure.
We worked in collaboration with both students and staff for the International Food Fayre, including Spanish Society, Indian Cultural Society, International Student Society and Poetry Society. 192 students attended this event.
Our 14th annual Golden Apple Awards returned as an in-person event, alongside the Student Voice Awards and collaborated with: Careers and Employability, Peer Mentor and Unitemps to celebrate the achievements of students across the university for their various roles as: Volunteers, Course Representatives, Peer Mentors and Union Council Officers.
**COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY** - As a membership organisation we need to be effective at two-way communication with you to ensure we are relevant to your student life. This means ensuring you know what we do, why we do it, and to communicate this boldly in your spaces to your preference.
Since employing a Communications Manager in April 2023, we have starting creating more Instagram and TikTok video content to communicate with our students. Research from the University shows that 75% of 18-24 students and 48% of 25+ students engage with Instagram content.
We post more regularly across our social media channels to ensure students know what is going on at CCSU. Our most popular content was about Varsity with over 2300 individual accounts reached and nearly 3000 views.
We updated our Sabbatical Officer webpages to include more information about their priorities and campaigns to keep students updated with what our elected officers are working on.
We started the process of re-branding CCSU to coincide with the Union’s move onto campus. This includes updating our visual identity, tone of voice, branding guidelines and more.
**SUSTAINABLE** - We need to be sustainable, both in terms of finance and the environment.
We distributed 364 locally sourced veg boxes throughout the year as part of our Veg Box Scheme.
We ran two walks to Wildwood in collaboration with the Students’ Green Office and the Academy of Sustainable Futures to promote wellbeing and engaging with the rich biodiversity and wildlife of Kent.
**PEOPLE AND CULTURE** - Develop our people and extend our positive, innovative culture.
Our team became certified mental health first-aiders to enable us to better support students and to enable us to have open conversations about mental health.
In line with our sustainable values, we completed Carbon Literacy training.
**INSIGHT** - Know our members by having comprehensive insight.
The Union's National Student Survey average was 73.41%, which is higher than the average sector at 71.89%. This is the first time CCSU has been above the sector average.
Student Life Pulse survey results. Overall satisfaction with the Union increased to 43%, which is 3% higher than 2022. Satisfaction with Societies has risen from 67% in 2022 to 75% in 2023, and satisfaction with Student Voice has risen from 71% to 83% compared to this time last year. Awareness of how to contact course rep has risen from 53% to 63% in comparison to this time last year.
Page 8
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
In the national league table of SU rankings of 140 NSS participants, CCSU went from 113th in 2022, to 56th in 2023.
**TECHNOLOGY** - Utilise new and existing technology to engage with and represent our members.
We withdrew from the IT SLA with the University at the end of the year, enabling a recurring annual saving of £27k per annum.
We started a review of our current website provider MSL conducting research amongst other students’ unions and their experiences of the other providers in the sector including UnionCloud and SUMS. Due to the rebrand and building move it was decided to pause the project to provide some stability and it will be continued in 2023/24.
**PARTNERSHIPS** - Develop effective partnerships with others to further our Mission and Vision.
We re-branded Cafe 41 to Tea and Toasty and introduced a student food pantry. Within this space, we created partnership working/sessions with other departments including Careers and Employability, Student Wellbeing, Stress Less and SGO.
We worked with the Learning Skills team during the International Day of Action Against Contract Cheating. We engaged with 165 students to pledge against Contract Cheating and offer proactive advice on plagiarism/academic misconduct. The Learning Skills team held sessions in tandem for staff in Canterbury and Medway and we focussed on lecture shoutouts resulting in a multidisciplinary approach to get the message conveyed to students.
Of the 71 originally stated objectives across the 2022/23 Success Plan, we concluded the year with the following status of each:
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
The accounting surplus for the year was £102,484. The operating surplus for the year was £47,303.
## **BASIS OF ACCOUNTING**
The annual financial statements of Christ Church Students’ Union are attached to this Report. They have been prepared using the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS102).
## **GOING CONCERN**
The financial relationship between Canterbury Christ Church University and the Union is agreed annually in the form of a Financial Memorandum. The Financial Memorandum confirms the annual allocation of a Block Grant paid by the University and further support in the form of accommodation provided on an in-kind basis. This nonmonetary support is intrinsic to the relationship between the University and the Union.
There is no reason to believe that the support from the University will not continue for the foreseeable future, as the Education Act (1994) imposes a duty on the University to ensure the financial viability of the student representative body. These Financial Statements have therefore been prepared on a going-concern basis.
Page 9
**Christ Church Students' Union (A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **PRINCIPLE FUNDING SOURCES**
The majority of the Union’s funding is derived from the annual Block Grant from Canterbury Christ Church University. The remainder of the income is from advertising and sponsorships.
## **FUNDRAISING**
The Union’s fundraising work concerns Raise and Give (RaG), which is student-led fundraising for other charities. Christ Church Students’ Union does not make direct fundraising appeals to members or the general public. Christ Church Students’ Union supports the work and objectives of the Fundraising Regulator, however, the vast majority of the Union’s income is derived directly from the University and not regulated fundraising and as a consequence, the Union is not affiliated with the Fundraising Regulator as doing so is not in the best interests of members.
## **RESERVES AND RESERVES POLICY**
Christ Church Students' Union holds reserves that are categorised as either ‘unrestricted’ or ‘designated’. The management of the unrestricted reserves is guided by the Reserves Policy. This is monitored annually and formally reviewed every three years and was last reviewed on 8 October 2021.
The Reserves Policy has the following objectives, some of which are legal requirements and some are considered best practice:
- Charity law requires any income received by a charity to be spent within a reasonable period of receipt. Excess reserves can tie up charity money that by law should be spent on the charitable purposes of the Union, but insufficient reserves put the Union’s solvency and the future of achieving stated charitable objectives at risk. The Policy sets out the target reserves and the rationale for that target.
- Union funds must be used appropriately, prudently, lawfully and in accordance with the Unions’ purposes for the public benefit as outlined in the Articles of Association. The Policy sets out how the Union will use funds prudently and lawfully.
- Trustees should be able to justify the holding of income as reserves. The Policy will enable trustees to do this, whilst remaining accountable to the main stakeholders and funders of the charity and to members.
- • The Union’s reserves target is 15% of the annual Block Grant income. In 2022/23 this equated to £135k.
These reserves will be invested and managed by an appropriately experienced and qualified financial expert and form part of an investment strategy that is agreed upon annually by the trustees. Investment in capital assets will be agreed upon by the trustees and will be supported from unrestricted reserves.
Page 10
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **RISK MANAGEMENT**
Trustees have identified the major risks facing the Union and recorded them, and the management of these, in the Union’s Risk Register and Dashboard. The Risk Register and Dashboard is actively maintained and reviewed, according to the Risk Management Policy. This was last reviewed and re-approved on 15 July 2021.
The Risk Register and Dashboard actively manage the ten (10) largest perceived risks to the organisation. Risks are graded from 1-5 for likelihood and multiplied by 1-5 for impact. In 2022/3 there were five risks that were considered particularly significant.
1. ‘Inflation’ - the Union, like many organisations, had to actively manage the impact of inflation upon the organisation, although his was expected to only start to have a significant impact from 2022/23.
2. ‘Data protection compliance’ - the Union had two data breaches in 2020/21, and ensuring compliance with student data, by students, is an ongoing challenge.
3. ‘Low engagement’ - Students’ engagement with the Union had been declining, particularly for societies post-pandemic.
4. ‘Student continuation, completion and progression’ - Christ Church has a higher non-continuation rate of students than the average of benchmark institutions at 10%, according to HESA data. As well as being disappointing that students do not feel able to complete their studies with us, the failure to retain students is a financial risk for the University and Union.
5. ‘Collaborative Provision’ - The University had significantly validated provision since 2020 and the membership status of Christ Church students studying at collaborative partners remains unclear’.
## **REMUNERATION**
All Christ Church Students’ Union staff are all, in practice, staff of the University seconded to the Union, with the same pay, pension, and benefits. Staff roles are graded according to the Higher Education Role Analysis (HERA) criteria, and the pay of each grade is determined nationally on an annual basis by the Universities & Colleges Employers Association in consultation with recognised trade unions.
After being initiated in 2021/22, a project to explore the feasibility of the Union becoming a direct employer of new staff, and the TUPE of existing staff from the University, concluded with an active decision not to proceed.
The remuneration of Sabbatical Officers is determined every two years after a benchmarking analysis of comparable roles in similar organisations, and a report is presented to the Union Council. The Union Council will then formally recommend a remuneration package to the Board of Trustees for final determination, according to the constitution of the Union and Financial Memorandum. Trustees with a conflict of interest in this decision are excluded from the vote. The Board of Trustees last reviewed the remuneration of Sabbatical Officers in May 2023.
## **GENDER PAY GAP**
The Gender Pay Gap legislation is not applicable to the Union by virtue of the small size of the organisation, however, as a transparent membership organisation the Union was committed to calculating and publishing a gender pay gap analysis as if the legislation had applied.
These calculations include sabbatical officers and were correct as of 31 March 2023. The figures below do not include bonus pay, as the Union does not operate a bonus scheme.
- Women’s mean hourly pay was £14.77, which was 9% lower than men’s. So when comparing mean hourly rates women earn 91p for every £1 that men earn. In 2022 this was 19% lower.
- Women’s median hourly rate was £13.35, which was 8% lower than men’s. So when comparing median hourly rates women earn 92p for every £1 that men earn. In 2022 this was 16% lower.
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**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS**
2023/24 is the start of Christ Church Students’ Union’s new three-year strategic plan: Your Best Student Life 2023-26. The Plan, an evolution on Your Union, Our Plan 2019-23 is comprised of:
- Three Foundations;
- Five Enabling Sub-Strategies; and
- Five areas of Student Focus.
## **Three Foundations** :
1. Governance - Students’ Unions’ are unique organisations operating within a complex and burdensome regulatory framework. Strong and effective governance is an essential bedrock to everything we do. Christ Church SU starts ‘Your Best Student Life’ with an effective governance model, but this will need to be reviewed during the life of the Strategy to ensure it continues to act as both an enabler of our studentled ethos and our independence, and not a bureaucratic barrier to getting things done.
2. Finance - Without well managed finances we can’t hope to achieve our ambitions. Christ Church SU has transformed its financial management and position in the last strategic period, which has helped to build confidence in us with both Members and stakeholders. However we, like many universities and SUs, face significant financial uncertainty ahead. We are over-reliant upon the University for funding, and so to help ensure our ambitions are deliverable we need to investigate new areas of income generation and continue to focus on value for money and impact for our Members, and ultimately, the University as our major funder.
3. Partnerships - We can’t do everything, and so to succeed for and with our Members we have developed effective partnerships with others to further our Mission and Vision. To help ensure a greater impact, we will need to continue to deepen our partnerships with students to co-create and deliver activity, as well as other values-driven organisations that share our mission to create your best student life. Our major partnership is with Canterbury Christ Church University, and is one of mutuality and respect. As our primary funder and regulator, we must hold ourselves accountable for delivering key aspects of the student experience, demonstrating our impact, our effectiveness and our value. But we also need a relationship that empowers and respects our right to constructively disagree with and challenge the University by advocating for positive changes on behalf of students in a positive and productive way.
## **Five Sub-Strategies:**
1. People & Culture - Great people help to create a great culture. Christ Church SU should be an aspirational and inclusive employer for values-driven people who actively embrace change and want to support and empower others. We start from a good place, but we can’t lose sight that as a small team with a constant churn of staff and sabbatical officers, we need to continue to work at this to succeed in building and maintaining a high-performing team that is reflective of our student membership. Our People & Culture Sub-Strategy details how we will recruit, develop, and retain great people and help to ensure their time with Christ Church SU is exciting and transformative.
2. Insight - Research, evidence, and insight should inform all of our work, drive improvement, empower our people, and deliver and demonstrate impact for students. Our Insight Sub-Strategy details how we move from knowing our Members, to understanding them in a way that helps us to more effectively communicate with, and advocate for, them.
3. Engagement - Our Vision, Mission, and Ambition are about empowering and supporting people. We simply can’t do this without effective people engagement. Our Engagement Sub-Strategy details how we will deliver dependable direct and co-created student-led services to meet our ambition of offering at least one thing that excites all students, whilst all the time pushing for even deeper engagement.
Page 12
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
4. Communication - Students are busy, and getting our message across is ever more challenging, but it is vital to showcase all we do for, and with, students that can help you get Your Best Student Life. Our Communication Sub-Strategy, drawing upon our Insight and Engagement Sub-Strategies, details how we will move towards engaging, tailored, two-way communication with all students to ensure we are relevant to you. This means ensuring you know what we do with you and for you, why we do it, and to communicate with confidence in your spaces to your preference.
5. Sustainability - Christ Church SU acknowledges the climate emergency and the prevailing inaction on this across society. We also acknowledge that although our impact may be small in this space, we have a moral obligation and therefore determination to act. Our Sustainability Sub-Strategy details how we will take direct action ourselves, to work and influence others, and to educate students on how we all can contribute to the societal changes needed to tackle ecological breakdown.
## **Five Student Focusses** :
1. Your Course - At the core of what we do is representing and empowering Members to shape their education by providing the spaces where their voices can be heard and amplified to help ensure you receive the best quality education.
2. Your Wellbeing - Striving to help ensure our Members are healthy, happy, and safe, but also informed and empowered to support others.
3. Your Self - Higher education has the potential to be transformative for Members at all stages in their lives. It inspires and drives people to look at things how they could be, rather than how they are, to find yourself and find and accept others as they are.
4. Your Communities - We commit to creating and supporting life-changing student communities, to breaking down barriers that hinder participation, and to actively celebrate diversity.
5. Your Success - We believe that learning extends beyond a course, and we are here to empower Members to gain skills and experiences that prepare them to attain their future career and ambitions.
In addition to devising and implementing our new sub-strategies in 2023/24, the Sabbatcial Officer Leadership Team have also adopted to continue to work on the BIG FIVE from the previous year:
1. Supporting students with the Cost of Living & Learning Crisis;
2. Tackling harassment and being an anti-racist organisation;
3. Protect and Support Students' Mental and Physical Wellbeing;
4. Amplify the Less-Heard Student Voices; and
5. Taking action on the Climate Emergency.
The Union's full 2023/24 operating plan is again hosted dynamically and publicly on Trello for students and stakeholders to view - https://trello.com/b/p7GdSOdg/success-plan-23-24.
## **CONCLUSION**
The Trustees would like to sincerely thank the members, volunteers, staff, and stakeholders of Christ Church Students’ Union, and the governors, SMT, and staff of Canterbury Christ Church University, who all provide an invaluable contribution to the ongoing success and development of the Students’ Union and enable us to ‘better student life and enrich students’ experiences’.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 16 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
**Max Elvin** Chair of the Board of Trustees
Page 13
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities For the year ended 30 June 2023**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.
Page 14
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent auditors' report to the Members of Christ Church Students' Union**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Christ Church Students' Union (the 'charity') for the year ended 30 June 2023 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 15
**Christ Church Students' Union**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent auditors' report to the Members of Christ Church Students' Union (continued)**
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
- the Trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Page 16
**Christ Church Students' Union**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent auditors' report to the Members of Christ Church Students' Union (continued)**
## **Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
## _Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud_
Based on our understanding of the charity and industry, and through discussion with the trustees and other management (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to health and safety, anti-bribery and employment law. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and taxation legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to management bias in accounting estimates and judgemental areas of the financial statements. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
- Discussions with management and assessment of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including health and safety) and fraud; and
- Assessment of identified fraud risk factors; and
- Walkthrough of internal controls procedures relating to expenditure potentially more susceptible to fraud and other irregularities including cash, payroll and credit card expenditure; and
- Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships, including related party transactions, that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud; and
- Confirmation of related parties with management, and review of transactions throughout the period to identify any previously undisclosed transactions with related parties outside the normal course of business; and
- Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence with relevant regulatory authorities; and
- Review of significant and unusual transactions and evaluation of the underlying financial rationale supporting the transactions; and
- Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any manual entries made at the year end for financial statement preparation.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance.
Page 17
**Christ Church Students' Union**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent auditors' report to the Members of Christ Church Students' Union (continued)**
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
- Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion of the effectiveness of the charitable company's internal control.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Trustees.
- Conclude on the appropriateness of the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our Auditors' report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our Auditors' report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.
- Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## **Susan Robinson BA FCA DChA (Senior statutory auditor)**
for and on behalf of **Kreston Reeves LLP**
Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor
Canterbury
16 October 2023
Page 18
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 30 June 2023**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
**Total expenditure**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
15
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**939,703**
**199,542**
**8,757**
**1,148,002**
**10,608**
**1,034,910**
**1,045,518**
**102,484**
**412,417**
**102,484**
**514,901**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**939,703**
**199,542**
**8,757**
**1,148,002**
**10,608**
**1,034,910**
**1,045,518**
**102,484**
**412,417**
**102,484**
**514,901**|Total
funds
2022
£
796,374
217,277
1,157
1,014,808
8,871
1,014,502
1,023,373
(8,565)
420,982
(8,565)
412,417|
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these financial statements.
Page 19
## **Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 07618194**
## **Balance sheet As at 30 June 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
12
**Current assets**
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
14
**Net current assets**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
15
General funds
15
Total unrestricted funds
15
**Total funds**|**72,867**
**622,878**
**695,745**
**(214,220)**
**366,642**
**148,258**|**2023**
**£**
**33,375**
**481,525**
**514,900**
**-**
**514,900**
**514,900**|113,915
393,978
507,893
(111,295)
100,829
311,588|2022
£
15,819
396,598|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||412,417|
|||||-
412,417|
|||||412,417|
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 16 October 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
## **Max Elvin**
Chair of the Board of Trustees
The notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these financial statements.
Page 20
**Christ Church Students' Union (A company limited by guarantee)**
|**Statement of cash flows**
**For the year ended 30 June 2023**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net cash used in operating activities
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
**Net cash used in investing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**2023**
**£**
**246,622**
**8,757**
**(26,479)**
**(17,722)**
**228,900**
**393,978**
**622,878**|2022
£
(46,418)
1,157
(10,089)
**(8,932)**
**(55,350)**
449,328
393,978|
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 22 to 39 form part of these financial statements
Page 21
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **1. General information**
Christ Church Students' Union is a charity, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales.
The charity's registered office is Anselm, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QU.
The charitable activities of the charity are the provision of social, recreational and representative services to students studying at Canterbury Christ Church University.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
Christ Church Students' Union 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.
The charity's functional currency is Pounds Sterling.
The charity's financial statements are presented to the nearest pound.
## **2.2 Going Concern**
The financial relationship between Canterbury Christ Church University and Christ Church Students' Union is agreed annually in the form of a Financial Memorandum, and as determined in the Code of Practice and Articles of Association.
The Financial Memorandum confirms the annual allocation of a Block Grant paid by the University and further support in the form of accommodation provided on an in-kind basis. his non-monetary support is intrinsic to the relationship between the University and the Students' Union.
There is no reason to believe that the support from the University will not continue for the foreseeable uture, as the Education Act 1994 imposes a duty on the University to ensure the financial viability of its student representative body. These financial statements have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis.
Page 22
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.3 Income**
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold.
Donated goods and services are recognised by the charity as income. Donated goods are measured at fair value. Donated services are measured at the amount that the charity would expect to pay in the open market for an alternative benefit to the charity. Value to the charity may be lower than, but cannot exceed, the price the charity would pay in the open market.
No income is recognised in respect of the contribution of unpaid volunteers.
## **2.4 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the Charity and inculde project management carried out at Headquarters.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **2.5 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
Page 23
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.6 Taxation**
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,600 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
|Building improvements|-|10% on cost per annum|
|---|---|---|
|Office equipment|-|25% on cost per annum|
|Computer equipment|-|33% on cost per annum|
## **2.8 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **2.9 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and 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.
## **2.10 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
Page 24
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.11 Financial instruments**
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2.12 Operating leases**
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.
## **2.13 Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **3. Income from donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**Grants**
Block grant
888,343
Benefit in Kind
51,360
**Total 2023**
939,703
Total 2022
796,374|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**888,343**
**51,360**
**939,703**
796,374|Total
funds
2022
£
745,014
51,360
796,374|
|---|---|---|
||||
Page 25
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **4. Income from charitable activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
Fundraising events
13,273
Membership Income - Sport
27,685
Membership Income - Societies
34,841
Marketing Income
36,704
Miscellaneous Income
87,039
**Total 2023**
199,542
Total 2022
217,277|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**13,273**
**27,685**
**34,841**
**36,704**
**87,039**
**199,542**
217,277|Total
funds
2022
£
17,108
31,690
29,938
24,700
113,841
217,277|
|---|---|---|
||||
## **5. Investment income**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
Bank interest receivable
8,757
Total 2022
1,157|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**8,757**
1,157|Total
funds
2022
£
1,157|
|---|---|---|
||||
Page 26
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **6. Expenditure on raising funds**
## **Costs of raising voluntary income**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
RAG Funds
10,608
Total 2022
8,871|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**10,608**
8,871|Total
funds
2022
£
8,871|
|---|---|---|
||||
## **7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Summary by fund type**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
Student Representation
928,016
Student Activities
64,645
Student Events
42,249
1,034,910
Total 2022
1,014,502|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**928,016**
**64,645**
**42,249**
**1,034,910**
1,014,502|Total
2022
£
808,787
160,506
45,209
1,014,502|
|---|---|---|
||||
Page 27
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **8. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Student Representation
Sport
Societies
Total 2022
**Analysis of direct costs**
Staff costs
Other direct cost|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2023**
**£**
631,641
64,645
42,249
738,535
721,788|**Support**
**costs**
**2023**
**£**
296,374
-
-
296,374
292,714|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**928,015**
**64,645**
**42,249**
**1,034,910**
1,014,502
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**576,853**
**161,682**
**738,535**|Total
funds
2022
£
808,787
160,506
45,209
1,014,502|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||Total
funds
2022
£
477,774
244,014
721,788|
Page 28
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Advertising, Sales and Marketing
Vehicles, Travel, and Staff Costs
Establishment Costs
Office Costs
Facilities and IT
Governance
**9.**
**Auditors' remuneration**
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual
accounts
**10.**
**Staff costs**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**49,920**
**42,382**
**82,257**
**15,847**
**31,594**
**74,374**
**296,374**
**2023**
**£**
**10,400**
**2023**
**£**
**469,566**
**36,454**
**70,833**
**576,853**|Total
funds
2022
£
52,835
42,173
78,263
11,829
35,571
72,043
292,714|
|---|---|---|
|||2022
£
8,085|
|||2022
£
393,179
36,861
47,734|
|||477,774|
Page 29
**Christ Church Students' Union (A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **10. Staff costs (continued)**
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
|Student Activities
Student Representatives
Social & Recreational
Clerical & Admin|**2023**
**No.**
**3**
**10**
**-**
**4**
**17**|2022
No.
5
4
2
3|
|---|---|---|
|||14|
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
|||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**No.**|No.|
|In the band £60,001|- £70,000|**1**|1|
## **11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, Trustees received remuneration amounting to £114,922 (2022 - £84,350). Trustees, who are employed as sabbatical officers are remunerated in their roles as sabbatical officers. During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2022 - £NIL).
|||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
|Daniel Bichener|Remuneration|**22,728**|21,064|
||Pension contributions paid|**3,843**|3,511|
|Bethany Elwood|Remuneration|**-**|18,108|
|Madeline Young|Remuneration|**26,311**|24,114|
||Pension contributions paid|**4,604**|-|
|Francesca McGregor|Remuneration|**21,961**|21,064|
||Pension contributions paid|**2,912**|-|
|Max Elvin|Remuneration|**21,961**|-|
||Pension contributions paid|**3,843**|-|
|Ines Romero|Remuneration|**21,961**|-|
||Pension contributions paid|**3,843**|-|
During the year ended 30 June 2023, expenses totalling £1,901 were reimbursed or paid directly to 7 Trustees (2022 - £1,983 to 6 Trustees).
Page 30
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **12. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 July 2022
Additions
At 30 June 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 July 2022
Charge for the year
At 30 June 2023
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2023
At 30 June 2022
**13.**
**Debtors**
**Due within one year**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income|**Property**
**improvements**
**£**
**39,607**
**9,987**
**49,594**
**33,905**
**3,961**
**37,866**
**11,728**
5,702||**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
**26,749**
**16,492**
**43,241**
**16,632**
**4,962**
**21,594**
**21,647**
10,117
**2023**
**£**
**26,356**
**18,660**
**27,851**
**72,867**|**Total**
**£**
**66,356**
**26,479**
**92,835**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**50,537**
**8,923**
**59,460**|
|||||**33,375**|
|||||15,819|
|||||2022
£
29,568
57,298
27,049
113,915|
Page 31
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **14. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
**Accruals and deferred income**
Deferred income at 1 July 2022
Resources deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods|**2023**
**£**
**76,862**
**137,358**
**214,220**
**2023**
**£**
**67,683**
**134,608**
**(67,683)**
**134,608**|2022
£
43,612
67,683
111,295
2022
£
62,988
67,683
(62,988)
67,683|
|---|---|---|
Page 32
**Christ Church Students' Union (A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **15. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated funds**
Fixed assets
Club & Societies
Lucy Bannister
RAG
NaSFA
Opportunities Hardship Fund
Success Fund
Student Hub
**General funds**
General Funds
**Total Unrestricted funds**|**Balance at 1**
**July 2022**
**£**
**15,821**
**67,128**
**4,178**
**4,823**
**278**
**6,443**
**2,158**
**-**
**100,829**
**Balance at 1**
**July 2022**
**£**
**311,588**
**412,417**|**Income**
**£**
**-**
**62,526**
**512**
**10,891**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**59,999**
**133,928**
**Income**
**£**
**1,014,073**
**1,148,001**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**-**
**(60,527)**
**(2,200)**
**(2,909)**
**(230)**
**(4,209)**
**-**
**-**
**(70,075)**
**Expenditure**
**£**
**(975,443)**
**(1,045,518)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**17,554**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**184,406**
**201,960**
**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**(201,960)**
**-**|**Balance at**
**30 June**
**2023**
**£**
**33,375**
**69,127**
**2,490**
**12,805**
**48**
**2,234**
**2,158**
**244,405**
**366,642**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**Balance at**
**30 June**
**2023**
**£**
**148,258**|
||||||**514,900**|
Page 33
**Christ Church Students' Union (A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **15. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Clubs and societies**
The Trustees treat income received and expenditure incurred by clubs and societies as Designated Funds. In the event of a club or society ceasing to operate anymore a surplus of funds will be returned to the General Fund.
## **Lucy Bannister**
The Lucy Bannister Fund was established by MidSoc in 2018 to support student midwives at the University who are experiencing hardship with the cost of academic and co-curricular activities. Applications and awards from the Fund are managed by MidSoc with the oversight of the Students' Union.
## **RAG funds**
These represent Raise and Give (RAG), which is student-led fundraising for other charities.
## **NaSFA**
Funds held on behalf of the National Student Fundraising Association.
## **Opportunities Hardship**
A new fund created from an insurance rebate which students who are experiencing financial hardship will be able to apply to cover the cost of their club or society membership.
## **Success Fund**
A new fund created from the designated funds of extinct societies that current societies can submit bids to for significant development activity.
## **Segmentation Project**
A fund created from the Canterbury City Council under the grant scheme for retail, leisure, and hospitality to fund the major student segmentation research project.
## **Lounge Development**
The fund was created with monies received as part of HM Government's Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality Grant Fund from 2020 for businesses forced to close due to COVID-19. It was decided to create the Fund and invest this into The Lounge when a suitable opportunity arose, which it did in 2022 when new furniture for the student space was purchased.
## **Student Hub**
A strategic priority for the Students’ Union for a number of years has been to move Union Staff and the office to the main Canterbury Campus, in recognition that the Union can be more effective at achieving stated charitable objects by being closer to the membership.
Page 34
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **15. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year**
|**Unrestricted funds**
**Designated funds**
Fixed assets
Club & Societies
Lucy Bannister
RAG
NaSFA
Opportunities Hardship Fund
Success Fund
Segmentation Project
Lounge Development Fund
**General funds**
General Funds
**Total Unrestricted funds**|Balance at
1 July 2021
£
12,639
56,821
4,739
4,089
278
6,443
2,158
22,620
-
109,787
Balance at
1 July 2021
£
311,195
420,982|Income
£
-
61,628
902
7,661
-
-
-
-
4,000
74,191
Income
£
940,617
1,014,808|Expenditure
£
-
(51,321)
(1,939)
(6,927)
-
-
-
(19,000)
(8,489)
(87,676)
Expenditure
£
(935,697)
(1,023,373)|Transfers
in/out
£
3,182
-
476
-
-
-
-
(3,620)
4,489
4,527
Transfers
in/out
£
(4,527)
-|Balance at
30 June
2022
£
15,821
67,128
4,178
4,823
278
6,443
2,158
-
-
100,829|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||Balance at
30 June
2022
£
311,588|
||||||412,417|
Page 35
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **16. Summary of funds**
## **Summary of funds - current year**
|Designated funds
General funds|**Balance at 1**
**July 2022**
**£**
**100,829**
**311,588**
**412,417**
Balance at
1 July 2021
£
109,787
311,195
420,982|**Income**
**£**
**133,928**
**1,014,073**
**1,148,001**
Income
£
74,191
940,617
1,014,808|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(70,075)**
**(975,443)**
**(1,045,518)**
Expenditure
£
(87,676)
(935,697)
(1,023,373)|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**201,960**
**(201,960)**
**-**
Transfers
in/out
£
4,527
(4,527)
-|**Balance at**
**30 June**
**2023**
**£**
**366,642**
**148,258**
**514,900**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||Balance at
30 June
2022
£
100,829
311,588
412,417|
|**Summary of funds - prior year**||||||
|Designated funds
General funds||||||
## **17. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
33,375
695,745
(214,220)
514,900|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**33,375**
**695,745**
**(214,220)**
**514,900**|
|---|---|---|
Page 36
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **17. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
15,819
507,893
(111,295)
412,417|Total
funds
2022
£
15,819
507,893
(111,295)
412,417|
|---|---|---|
## **18. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**
|Net income/expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial
Activities)
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charges
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase in creditors
**Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities**
**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
Cash in hand
**Total cash and cash equivalents**|**2023**
**£**
**102,484**
**8,923**
**(8,757)**
**37,382**
**100,175**
**240,207**
**2023**
**£**
**622,878**
**622,878**|2022
£
(8,565)
6,908
(1,157)
(74,726)
31,122
(46,418)
2022
£
393,978
393,978|
|---|---|---|
## **19. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
Page 37
**Christ Church Students' Union**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **20. Analysis of changes in net debt**
|Cash at bank and in hand|**At 1 July**
**2022**
**£**
**393,978**
**393,978**|**Cash flows**
**£**
**228,900**
**228,900**|**At 30 June**
**2023**
**£**
**622,878**
**622,878**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **21. Pension commitments**
As employees of Canterbury Christ Church University the pension costs relate to pension recharges by the University to the Charity and amounted to £70,833 (2022 - £47,374) The Union is not the admitted member of the defined benefit scheme and the Charity has no liability for the scheme. As a result there is £Nil (2022 - £Nil) amounts payable to the fund at the balance sheet date.
## **22. Operating lease commitments**
At 30 June 2023 the Charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
|Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|**2023**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**|2022
£
7,498
8,747|
|---|---|---|
|||16,245|
The charity's property is the subject of an operating lease between the Charity and Canterbury Christ Church University at a nominal rent of £1 per year. The value of this is considered to be £51,360 (2022: £51,360) and is recognised in the income as a benefit in kind.
The Charity had no commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at 30 June 2023.
Page 38
**Christ Church Students' Union**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 June 2023**
## **23. Related party transactions**
Christ Church Students' Union is an independent body operating separately from Canterbury Christ Church University but the two entities work together closely and the majority of the Charity's income is derived from the University. The Trustees are of the opinion that this financial assistance is not an influencing factor with regards to the formulation of Union policy, nor does it have any effect on the internal management and decision making of the Union.
Christ Church Students' Union is in receipt of a Block Grant of £888,343 (2022: £745,014) and in-kind support to the value of £51,360 (2022: £51,360) for accommodation from Canterbury Christ Church University. In accordance with Charities SORP 2015 the value of buildings and services are determined at market value. Christ Church Students' Union incurred expenditure from Canterbury Christ Church University for support costs of £669,084 (2022: £581,225). The balance due to the Canterbury Christ Church University at the balance sheet date was £168,136 (2022: £45,482). Additionally, the Charity has charged Canterbury Christ Church University expenses incurred on their behalf, in relation to sports activities, total amount of £40 (2022: £84.318). The balance due from Canterbury Christ Church University at the balance sheet date is £10,501 (2022: £44,409).
Key management personnel that served in the year was considered to be those included in the reference and administrative details on page 1 and Sabbatical Officers. The aggregate amount of contractual benefits paid to these individuals, including pension contributions and National Insurance Contributions, during the year was £286,698 (2022: £276,798).
For details on Trustees' remuneration and claimed expenses whilst carrying out their duties, see note 11.
## **24. Controlling party**
The ultimate control of the Union is vested under the Constitution in the members. As such no single person or entity controls the Union as defined by the Financial Reporting Standard 102.
Page 39