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2020-12-31-accounts

Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

COMPANY INFORMATION

A charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No: 7874206 Registered Charity No: 1146220

Trustees

Vice-Presidents

Gary Bandy (Treasurer) Emeritus Professor John Benington (Chair) (until 30 April; from 7 July to 8 December) Cynthia Bower

Margaret Eddershaw Justin Gordon-Muortat Professor Jean Hartley David Lewis (Chair) (from 8 December) Julie Lodrick

Lord Michael Bichard Baroness Estelle Morris Rev Margaret Sentamu Rev Michael Paget-Wilkes

Bankers

Co-operative Bank, PO Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP

Dame Rosalind Marsden Hugh Paget (Company Secretary) Julia Sanders Roy Warden (Chair) (1 May to 7 July) Martina Yanga (until 8 December)

Independent Examiner

Chris West FCPFA

1

Trustees Report

Structure and Governance of the Charity

Friends of Ibba Girls’ School, South Sudan (FIGS) is a company limited by guarantee (registration number 7874206) and is registered in England as a charitable trust, (registration number 1146220). The governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated 30 November 2011, under which the first trustees were appointed.

The UK trustees are supported by a number of honorary advisers, covering various disciplines and areas of experience, to enable the trustees better to fulfil their responsibilities. These include people with experience in finance and accountancy, fund-raising, law, public policy making and management (including education, health, national, regional and local government), school leadership and educational development, economic and community development, programme evaluation, and international development work.

The FIGS trustees aim to work in partnership with the South Sudanese trustees of Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS). The IGBS trustees are responsible for guarding, developing and promoting the vision, values and strategy for the school; holding the land and buildings and other assets in trust for the school; and for the selection of the head teacher and senior management team.

The Board of IGBS Trustees is undergoing a period of change, following the challenges of Covid and other societal instabilities in South Sudan. The founding Chair, Nagomoro Bridget, was born in Ibba, had the original vision, and donated a large parcel of land for the school. Bridget had been the only girl from Ibba at that time to have completed her education, in a nation where fewer than 1% of girls finish secondary school. She returned to Ibba after graduation from university in Uganda, followed by a short period in the new national government of South Sudan, and was then appointed as Ibba County Commissioner.

2

Other founding Trustees include Sapana Abuyi, the former Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State; Hon Pia Philip, former Minister of Education for Western Equatoria State; Sister Margaret Scott, principal of the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio; ECS Bishop Wilson Kamani; RC priest Father Stephen Kumyangi; the paramount chief Marona Saku, and other traditional elders; and two representatives from FIGS Trustees.

These IGBS trustees have undertaken an important role over many years, but recently several have been promoted to national and international roles, others have retired or moved away, and attendance at trustees has been difficult for many and meetings have sometimes been inquorate. FIGS has been concerned that more effective governance should be put in place locally. Following a meeting at the school in May 2021, led by a senior Zande leader Archbishop Samuel Peni, a radical review of governance and a refreshing of leadership is being undertaken locally, with a view to bringing in further senior African leaders from the State government, churches of all denominations, and elders from the community, with a view to strengthening the African governance of the school, for its next phase of development .

IGBS trustees delegate specific responsibilities to a local Board of Governors which meets three times a year and is responsible for implementing the strategy, developing a school educational plan, and supporting the Headteacher and staff in the achievement of these goals. IGBS governors also include the State Minister and Director General for Education; the County Commissioner; chair of the Parent Teacher Association; local leaders of

the main Protestant and Roman Catholic churches; the Paramount Chief; other local elders; and representatives from the Friends of Ibba Girls’ School trustee body if they are visiting the school at the time. The membership and effective functioning of this body is also subject to the governance review that is underway.

The objectives of Ibba Girls Boarding School (IGBS), as expressed in its 2014 founding legal Constitution, are to:

3

Charity Governance and the Public Benefit

The FIGS Trustees meet at least quarterly to agree the budget and accounts, approve contracts, and receive progress reports from working groups and the school. Working groups primarily focus on fundraising and communications, contracts, and educational capacity-building and continuing professional development in South Sudan. Trustees set up ad hoc working groups as required, e.g. for recruitment of staff and diaspora engagement. Recently, because these have been difficult times for South Sudan as a nation and for IGBS, the trustees have been meeting more regularly (often monthly via Zoom), providing support and guidance to those in leadership roles in Ibba and elsewhere across Western Equatoria State and South Sudan.

The Trustees are convinced that the activities of the charity, summarised below, are furthering the charity’s objects for the public benefit, and the charity’s public added value continues to be monitored and evaluated by

the Trustees. Girls’ education has been described as the world’s best investment with the widest-ranging returns, contributing to a range of development outcomes.

Activity in 2020

FIGS is currently in the third phase of its development plan and fundraising strategy, taking the school to its full capacity of 360 students in February 2023 (a delay of one year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020).

The pandemic had a number of impacts on the charity and its activities. Most significantly, the South Sudanese national and local

governments mandated the closure of all schools in South Sudan in April 2020. The closure remained in place for all pupils of IGBS for the remainder of 2020, except for the girls in the P8 class. Those girls returned to school in October for a short period, before the pandemic intervened again, and then in March, so that they could complete their primary education ready for the final examination in spring 2021.

4

Fundraising has long been a challenge for the charity and in spring 2020 it found itself in a situation where it could no longer afford to employ its full-time chief executive. The post was deleted in July and since then the charity’s work has been done by its trustees and volunteers, supported by two part-time consultants. However, fundraising picked up towards the end of the year and FIGS found itself in a much healthier position by the end of 2020, with some large sums being donated by a combination of private and institutional donors and a successful Big Give campaign. A new trustee lead for fundraising has been recruited and a refreshed fundraising strategy is being developed.

Looking forward to 2021 and beyond

Following South Sudan government instructions following the long Covid lockdown, IGBS re-opened in the first week of May 2021, to those pupils taking primary leaving certificate exams. All 27 girls who undertook their P8 examination passed successfully and are eligible to move up to the senior school. Sadly, the school's excellent Headteacher, Vicky Dratia, after a period of maternity leave, was unable to return when the school reopened, leaving a vacancy to be filled. Senior primary teacher, Yoane

Kumbonyaki has been fulfilling the role in an interim capacity, until a new Headteacher is recruited and in post, hopefully by the end of 2021. The term was successfully completed and following a short break there will be a long, almost unbroken spell of teaching until March 2022, in which it is hoped that pupils will be able to catch up on the learning missed due to Covid. Three teacher vacancies have been filled and the new IGBS trustees will recruit a new Headteacher, supported by FIGS.

There are also plans in hand to strengthen the senior management team of the school with a Director of Studies (Secondary) and a Finance Manager.

Plans underway for 2021 include building a classroom block, a dormitory and a new kitchen. Funding from FIGS supporters and private sector philanthropists is available for all three of these buildings. Additional funding will be put to the commissioning of some of the other buildings that are needed to

complete the school. These include the final dormitory and a classroom block for science, technology, engineering and maths teaching.

The FIGS Board of Trustees has recruited a new chair David Lewis (former deputy chief constable for Dorset, with experience in leading a Methodist international

development charity) and has agreed a longterm strategy, based on four key pillars. These are consolidating the charity's existing position; strengthening fundraising and governance to support the development of long-term income-generating activities; sharing and spreading the learning from IGBS across other states within South Sudan, as a tried-and-tested demonstration project; and community outreach (including a farming cooperative and a vocational and life skills training centre, linked to the school).

5

Finally FIGS is building on recent successful cross-national webinars, focusing on the value added by girls' education and celebrating the work of the school, by developing a programme of online seminars and events. These will continue to showcase what the school does, consider how girls' education can empower and support development, and explore the challenges facing South Sudan as a nation.

Financial Review for 2020

Income from donations and grants in 2020 was £488,139 compared with £431,506 in the previous year. Donations and grants were received principally from charitable foundations, churches, and family trusts but also from more than a hundred individuals, and from special fund-raising events and activities.

Total expenditure for the year was £253,731 (£369,509 in 2019) resulting in an operating surplus of £234,408 (£61,997 in 2019). The lower spending and higher surplus are the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school was closed for much of the year causing a reduction in operating expenses. During the months of closure, staff were furloughed and paid half of their salaries. Expenses were also not incurred on food and other supplies. The total cost of operating the school in 2020 was £138,985 (£196,616 in 2019).

The pandemic also meant that it was not possible for building work to be done until late in the year. In November, the builder was able to get some labour and materials to the school and begin work on a dormitory, kitchen and classroom block. In total, only £34,181 was spent in the year on new buildings (£48,116 in 2019). The buildings that were commenced

late in 2020 will be completed in 2021 at a total cost of around £220,000.

Overall, during the year 87% of total expenditure was allocated to charitable activities, compared with 72% in 2019. This change is largely the result of the charity reducing the administrative expenses by deleting the post of chief executive in July 2020.

Net reserves at the end of 2020 stood at £336,168 compared with £101,760 at the end of 2019. The net reserves comprise restricted funds of £281,263 (almost all restricted for investment in buildings and infrastructure) and unrestricted reserves of £54,905. This means that if all the restricted reserves were disbursed as intended by their donors the charity would have a net worth of £54,905.

In early 2021 the charity received a large philanthropic donation of £175,000 that can be used to finance the further development of the school, in particular for secondary pupils. Taking this donation into account with the net current assets of £474,918 on 1 January and the expected monthly donations in 2021 the trustees are confident that the charity can meet the costs of supporting the planned number of pupils at the school in 2021.

Nevertheless, the trustees recognise there is a continuing fundraising challenge to ensure sufficient regular (i.e. monthly) income to support the operation and growth of the school and the redemption of loans in December 2024. Cash flow is monitored regularly and actions taken to balance expenses with available resources.

6

Reserves Policy

The trustees aspire to maintain a financial position allowing it to fund the operating costs of Ibba Girls Boarding School for one year ahead, to be able to give security to existing pupils and their parents. This policy implies a target level of reserves which, when added to the anticipated donation inflow on a conservative basis of present regular monthly payments and predictable annual payments (not including unpredicted large donations), totals around £150,000.

During the period where the school is being constructed (i.e. until 2023) the trustees recognise that from time to time they will prefer to use funds for new buildings rather than holding them as reserves, but the policy stated above will not be abandoned without the agreement of the trustees and after due warning of the possible consequences.

Approved by the Trustees on 16 September 2021 and signed on their behalf:

David Lewis

Chair of Trustees

7

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF IBBA GIRLS SCHOOL, SOUTH SUDAN

I report on the accounts of the Charity set out on the pages 8 to 19.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner

The charity's trustees (who are also Directors of Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.

It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's report

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

have not been met; or

Chris West FCPFA

16 September 2021

8

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
2020
Total
£
2019
Total
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Fundraising events
Other trading activities
3
Other income
3
Interest and investment income
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
Charitable activities
5
Other expenditure
6
Total expenditure
Net surplus/(deficit)
Other recognised gains/(losses)
Net movement in funds
154,789
286,045
440,834
333,596
45,745
45,745
81,503
495
495
793
543
543
15,460
522
522
154
202,094
286,045
488,139
431,506
44,131
44,131
63,101
95,603
79,888
175,491
264,015
34,109
34,109
42,393
173,843
79,888
253,731
369,509
28,251
206,157
234,408
61,997
0
0
0
0
28,251
206,157
234,408
61,997
Reconciliation of funds
Funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Funds carried forward
26,654
75,106
101,760
39,763
28,251
206,157
234,408
61,997
54,905
281,263
336,168
101,760

9

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

Note Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
2020
Total
£
2019
Total
£
Current assets
Debtors
7
Prepayments
Cash & bank accounts
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within 1 year
8
Net current assets
Creditors: amounts falling after
more than 1 year
9
Net assets
80,021
0
80,021
93,828
0
0
0
0
116,251
281,263
397,514
173,005
196,272
281,263
477,535
266,833
2,617
0
2,617
26,323
193,655
281,263
474,918
240,510
138,750
0
138,750
138,750
54,905
281,263
336,168
101,760
The funds of the charity:
Funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
10
Total charity funds
26,654
75,106
101,760
39,763
28,251
206,157
234,408
61,997
54,905
281,263
336,168
101,760

10

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 2020

Note 2020
Total
£
2019
Total
£
Cash fows from operating activities
Net cash flow from operating activities
11
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash infow/(outfow) in the period
223,987
106,455
522
154
(20,000)
224,509
86,609
Cash and cash equivalents 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents 31 December
173,005
86,396
397,514
173,005

For the period ending 31 December 2020 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

The notes on pages 11 to 19 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the Trustees on 16 September 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

David Lewis Chair of Trustees

Gary Bandy Treasurer

11

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1 Basis of preparation

The Friends of Ibba Girls School is a registered charity and, for accounting purposes, it is a public benefit entity.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the Charities Statement of Accounting and Reporting (SORP) 2015 (Financial Reporting Standard 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

2 Accounting policies

Recognition of incoming resources

Incoming resources with related expenditure

Incoming resources are included in the

Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

12

Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SoFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

Investment income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Restricted income funds

Restricted income funds are funds which are subject to specific conditions imposed by the donor or by the terms of an appeal, these conditions being legally binding. The aims and uses of each restricted fund are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Trustees have not sought to apportion the interest earned on cash balances and bank fees paid across all the restricted funds on the grounds of materiality.

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Governance costs

trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Support Costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources

Currency conversion

The charity makes overseas payments to IGBS and some suppliers in US dollars. Expenditure in US dollars has been accounted for in sterling using the market exchange rate on the date

the expenditure was incurred because this is a feature of the Xero accounting system. Currency gains and losses arise partly from timing differences between the date of invoices and the date of payments, and also

because the actual exchange rate received by the charity from its bankers is different from the market rate used in the Xero accounting system.

Going concern

The Trustees have prepared the accounts on the going concern basis. They recognise there is a continuing fundraising challenge to ensure sufficient income to support the operation and growth of the school. Cash flow is monitored by the trustees and actions taken to balance expenses with available resources.

Governance costs include the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of

13

3 Analysis of incoming resources

3
Analysis of incoming resources
2020
£
2019
£
Donations and legacies
Donations
Gift Aid
Total
410,688
307,049
30,146
26,547
440,834
333,596
Trading activities
Sale of Christmas cards, calendars, CDs and other goods
495
793
4
Fundraising expenses
Investment income
Interest on deposit account
Other income
Income from secondment of chief executive to Coventry Cathedral for 1 day per
week
Miscellaneous income
Total
522
154
0
15,342
543
118
543
15,460
2020
£
2019
£
16,233
18,554
27,419
44,212
479
335
Fundraising support from Acorn Fundraising and HM Consulting
Time spent on fundraising work by chief executive
Other expenses (incl website hosting, postage, software)
Total
44,131
63,101

14

5 Expenditure on charitable activities

5
Expenditure on charitable activities
2020
£
2019
£
121,140
175,477
34,181
48,116
11,695
17,753
600
0
6,074
17,304
76
3,835
657
650
571
50
497
830
Grants to IGBS for operating costs
Construction of buildings at Ibba Girls Boarding School
Grants to IGBS for capital purposes
Architect’s fees and expenses
IGBS operating expenses paid direct by FIGS
Materials and equipment for IGBS
Purchase of goods for resale
Marketing and promotional material
Other charitable expenditure
Total
175,491
264,015

Other charitable expenditure includes £495 (£547 in 2019) on arranging the travel to IGBS for volunteers as a group, which was refunded to the charity by the volunteers as donations.

15

6 Other expenditure

6
Other expenditure
2020
£
2019
£
49,449
73,686
(27,419)
(43,625)
0
150
0
294
691
2,089
0
802
710
4,671
526
1,347
264
1,008
1,048
1,048
3,008
622
5,118
(59)
714
360
Employee expenses
Allocation of employee expenses to fundraising
Consultant’s fees
Trustees meeting expenses
Bank charges, commissions and credit card fees
Cash courier service in South Sudan
Employee and consultant travel and subsistence
Trustee travel and subsistence
ICT services and software
Insurances
Advertising
Net loss/(gain) on currency exchange rates
Other general expenses
Total
34,109
42,393

No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses to attend FIGS meetings. Flights for trustees to visit South Sudan were booked and paid for by FIGS and the trustees made donations to FIGS to cover the costs.

The independent examination of the accounts has been carried out free of charge.

16

Debtors and accrued income

7

7
Debtors and accrued income
2020
£
2019
£
17,419
6,229
62,479
87,552
123
0
0
47
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
Gift Aid due from HMRC
Big Give income not received by 31 December
Income not received
Money collected by Virgin Money Giving not paid over
Total
80,021
93,828
2020
£
2019
£
0
20,000
0
1,143
0
2,202
0
585
1,867
0
0
760
750
516
0
1117
Loan from Jean Hartley
Big Give fees
HMRC
Nest Pensions
Contract retentions
Mark Simmons for expenses
Acorn Fundraising
HM Consulting
Total
2,617
26,323

9 Creditors: amounts falling due after 1 year

On 31 December 2020 the following loans were outstanding.

Lender Date Amount Due Date Interest Rate
received
Jean Hartley 16/09/2016 £69,375 31/12/2024 Nil
John Benington 16/09/2016 £69,375 31/12/2024 Nil

17

At the balance sheet date the two loans made on 16 September 2016 were due for repayment on 30 September 2021. In March 2020 the lenders each agreed to extend the period of the loan until 31 December 2024.

10 Restricted income funds

Restricted funds held during 2020

Donor Purpose
AB Charitable Trust For running costs
Anonymous donor For development of the school
Big Give 2019 (various donors) For buildings and infrastructure
David Family Foundation For running costs
Ferguson Trust School leadership, teaching staff and resources
Fields of Life To install a rainwater harvesting system at IGBS
Horne Family Charitable Foundation For teaching, food and medicine
Margaret Eddershaw For advertising for new chairperson
Keith and Christine Binks For latrines
Serena Lancaster For latrines
St Peter’s Church, Kineton To support a teacher’s salary
Van Neste Foundation For matrons and nurses
Various re JohnTwidell’s birthday Rainwater harvesting project
Various re World Water Day Rainwater harvesting project
Waterloo Foundation Rainwater harvesting project
Zhejiang Wonder Public Foundation For buildings and infrastructure

18

Movements in restricted funds

Movements in restricted funds
Balance
01/01/20
£
Incoming
resources
£
Outgoing
resources
£
0
20,000
(20,000)
0
150,000
0
49,371
0
0
0
5,000
0
0
10,000
0
3,000
(2,298)
0
0
20,538
(20,538)
1,000
0
0
1,270
(1,270)
0
10,000
0
(8,395)
0
2,200
(1,200)
0
8,000
0
465
0
0
0
1,016
0
10,000
(10,000)
0
0
68,635
(15,531)
Balance
31/12/20
£
0
150,000
49,371
5,000
AB Charitable Trust
Anonymous
Big Give 2019
David Family Foundation
Ferguson Trust
Fields of Life
Horne Family
Keith and Christine Binks
Margaret Eddershaw
Serena Lancaster
St Peter’s, Kineton
Van Neste Foundation
Various re John Twidell birthday
Various re World Water Day
Waterloo Foundation
Zhejiang Wonder Public Foundation:
infrastructure
Total Restricted Funds
10,000
702
0
1,000
0
1,605
1,000
8,000
465
1,016
0
53,104
75,106
271,821
(65,664)
281,263

19

11 Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities

2020
£
2019
£
234,408
61,997
0
0
0
0
(522)
(154)
0
0
0
0
13,807
32,949
(23,706)
11,663
Net surplus/(deficit) from Statement of Financial Activities
Depreciation
Losses/(gains) on investments
Dividends and interest from investments
Loss/(profit) on sale of fixed assets
Decrease/(increase) in stocks
Decrease/(increase) in debtors and prepayments
Increase/(decrease) in trade creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
223,987
106,455

12 Transactions with related parties

Related parties are the trustees and employees of the charity and their close family members.

Trustees make donations to Friends of Ibba Girls School of varying amounts. The amounts of these donations are exempt from disclosure because none of them carry conditions.

There have been loan transactions between Friends of Ibba Girls School and two of its trustees, John Benington and Jean Hartley, and these are disclosed in notes 9 and 10.

20