REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1151526
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
FOR
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
DSC Chartered Accountants Tattersall House East Parade Harrogate North Yorkshire HG1 5LT
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The period since March 2020 to date has been unprecedented for our society, the world and therefore of course the Society. We have only survived through the support of Trustees, volunteers, and 218 Strand Limited which underwrites the activities and infrastructure. Income substantially collapsed as training all but stopped, and the ability to let out rooms or undertake paid mediations stopped.
The Housing Project on which the Society embarked with the Government a year ago, and invested more than 2,500 hours of staff time in, came to nothing despite the Society doing everything right. Sadly, the other agencies were not properly prepared to take advantage of the mediators and organisation that the Society put in place. The net result was the Society was paid for its staff and infrastructure costs but did not make any return on investment which should have secured its future.
The Free Mediation Project was not able to work to any significant degree with the courts effectively shut to outsiders and Trustees badly affected by COVID. There was no overseas training in person or development of major 2019/2020 initiatives.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
That said there were positives - we survived! Mediation developed to online and Zoom and we updated our Code of Practice to reflect this, undertaking a series of Zoom courses to promote mediation. We provided more than 50 free places on those courses and subsidised many more. We provided considerable guidance to government and were ably represented by Claire Kean and Martin Davies at the highest levels of judicial and MOJ mediation planning providing input and learning.
We continued to have a presence in updating mediation procedures and we took it to a new level signing an agreement to provide mediations to the Almshouses Association. We reformed our procedures for dealing with members and benefitted from Eleanor Tack's regular newsletter the Listening Brief.
We also moved to have more effective administration underpinning the training and began the process of offering remote on-demand training through the web portal that is now available: this will enable very inexpensive training for underrepresented people. We managed to run training across Southern Africa on Zoom, training more than a hundred people from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia. This work continues and we are looking at common international protocols.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
218 Strand Ltd and the trustees continue to support the charity and believe that the charity will continue to benefit from this committed CSR into the foreseeable future. The ability to licence and hire out the SOM's headquarters at 218 Strand for other charitable and community interest group uses (doctors meetings, dispute resolution, mediation - for example) has led to a steady stream of income which means that the Charity is financially secure. It has a strong management structure and careful financial review on all levels.
The Society is indebted to the skills of many - from our Accounts officer Alice Green for taking advantage of any opportunity to keep matters sound, to our house staff: Eleanor, Gordon, and Cerise across the year as well as other Kings staff. We also benefitted from the drive and direction of the Trustees who spared not a moment. It is to these fine individuals that we collectively look for our direction in 2022 and beyond and we can do so now with a fresh and stable confidence.
It is the initial policy of the charity to maintain as much cash reserves as fundraising allows, as it builds reserves in order to fund future projects.
The reserves policy and the current level of reserves is kept under constant review by the trustees.
The Trustees are wholly satisfied that the structure meets the SOM's needs and is effective. SOM has no debt, no adverse liabilities, is insured, and (as set out below) strongly managed financially. All risks are covered by E&O and general insurance provided by Hiscox.
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
The Trustees plan to conduct a ten year review of the deed of trust and bring in any amendments in 2022 with the Charity Commission's guidance.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1151526
Principal address
Second Floor 218 Strand London WC2R 1AT
Trustees
J C Dingle I Strathcarron D Collis J Sephton R Sandhu S Pugh J Hodge K Ealey J Mulrooney A Fletcher D M Cawdell-Trew D Ingle C Kean
Independent Examiner
DSC Chartered Accountants Tattersall House East Parade Harrogate North Yorkshire HG1 5LT
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 January 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
J C Dingle - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Society of Mediators
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Society of Mediators (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
John Garbutt The Institute of Chartered Accountants DSC Chartered Accountants Tattersall House East Parade Harrogate North Yorkshire HG1 5LT
27 January 2022
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| 2021 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 6,397 Other trading activities 2 242,736 Investment income 3 1 Total 249,134 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 241,277 Charitable activities Governance costs 9,277 Total 250,554 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (1,420) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 51,786 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 50,366 |
2020 Total funds £ 1,477 345,835 3 347,315 339,856 10,903 350,759 (3,444) 55,230 51,786 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2021
| 2021 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 36,125 Cash at bank 17,769 53,894 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (3,528) NET CURRENT ASSETS 50,366 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 50,366 NET ASSETS 50,366 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds 50,366 TOTAL FUNDS 50,366 |
2020 Total funds £ 37,850 20,320 58,170 (6,384) 51,786 51,786 51,786 51,786 51,786 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 27 January 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:
J C Dingle - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Mediation courses Rents received |
2021 £ 87,460 155,276 242,736 |
2020 £ 141,054 204,781 |
|---|---|---|
| 345,835 |
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
----- Start of picture text -----
2021 2020
£ £
Deposit account interest 1 3
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4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2021 nor for the year ended 31 March 2020.
Trustees' expenses
Some trustees are reimbursed for expenses, travel, accommodation, photocopying, books, exam and assessment fees, room hires, and costs throughout the year, in year doing the work of the society - mainly on free courses or mediations. Disclosure of these amounts can be seen in the Related Party Disclosures note to the financial statements.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 1,477 |
| Other trading activities | 345,835 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Total | 347,315 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Raising funds | 339,856 |
| Charitable activities | |
| Governance costs | 10,903 |
| Total | 350,759 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (3,444) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |
| Total funds brought forward | 55,230 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 51,786 |
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade debtors Other debtors VAT 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other creditors 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.4.20 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 51,786 TOTAL FUNDS 51,786 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 249,134 TOTAL FUNDS 249,134 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.4.19 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 55,230 TOTAL FUNDS 55,230 |
2021 2020 £ £ 21,069 14,601 14,677 15,837 379 7,412 36,125 37,850 2021 2020 £ £ 828 834 2,700 5,550 3,528 6,384 Net movement At in funds 31.3.21 £ £ (1,420) 50,366 (1,420) 50,366 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (250,554) (1,420) (250,554) (1,420) Net movement At in funds 31.3.20 £ £ (3,444) 51,786 (3,444) 51,786 |
|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 347,315 347,315 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (350,759) (3,444) (350,759) (3,444) |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (350,759) (3,444) (350,759) (3,444) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (3,444) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.19 | in funds | 31.3.21 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 55,230 | (4,864) | 50,366 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 55,230 | (4,864) | 50,366 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 596,449 596,449 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (601,313) (4,864) (601,313) (4,864) |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (601,313) (4,864) (601,313) (4,864) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (4,864) |
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The charity operates from a premises at 218 The Strand, London. The charity has a service agreement with 218 Strand Limited to sub-let rooms at the property. This is done on an arms length basis to third parties, and the rent received by the charity is then passed to 218 Strand Limited. 218 Strand Limited then donates amounts to SoM.
This allows the charity to have:
-
Infrastructure provided risk free
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Very little financial risk
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A valuable income stream within minimal investment
218 Strand Limited is primarily controlled by Mr J C Dingle, who is also a trustee of the charity. The trustees believe that the arrangement is in the best interests of the charity as it allows the charity to continue raising funds. Mr J C Dingle underpins both 218 Strand Limited and the charity.
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES - continued
Some trustees are reimbursed for expenses, travel, accommodation, photocopying, books, exam and assessment fees, room hires, and costs throughout the year, doing the work of the society - mainly on free courses or mediations. These are not payments for being a trustee of the charity, but rather re-imbursement of costs for the various courses throughout the year.
C Keane: £9,448 D Ingle: £2,494 R Sandhu: £814
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Membership subscriptions Other trading activities Mediation courses Rents received Investment income Deposit account interest Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Other trading activities Other operating leases Bad debts Rates and water Other operating expenses Tutor fees Support costs Management Insurance Telephone Accountancy Sundries Travel Advertising Consultancy Finance Bank charges Information technology Website development Total resources expended Net expenditure |
2021 £ 6,397 87,460 155,276 242,736 1 249,134 167,931 - 5,537 - 67,809 241,277 761 471 2,400 29 - 525 3,000 7,186 1,821 270 250,554 (1,420) |
2020 £ 1,477 141,054 204,781 345,835 3 347,315 195,024 1,200 7,787 42,556 93,289 339,856 761 1,040 3,058 800 180 - - 5,839 1,089 3,975 350,759 (3,444) |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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