REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1151526
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
FOR
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
Adelaide Cottage, West Bagborough, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4EF
- and -
2, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4EA
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 11 |
THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. 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 2021 to date has again been unprecedented and challenging for our society, the world and therefore again of course the Society. We have only survived through the vigorous support of Trustees, volunteers and 218 Strand Limited which underwrites the activities and infrastructure. Income had substantially collapsed in 2020/2021 as training all but stopped and the ability to let out rooms or undertake paid mediations stopped. Rental on these slowly returned and then to a modest degree, we have had to rely on the unpaid support of many.
Happily the Free Mediation Project was through the active work of Keith, Bernie, Helen, and our paid administrator – and the supporting mediators - able to work to a significant degree with the CLCC/RCJ and Trustees/volunteers endured COVID and other challenges. This resulted in a two month long programme of high profile work which was the high point of the year.
There was again no direct overseas training in person but there was Zoom training in a range of countries (19) and there were major initiatives which saw the Society begin an active engagement with a range of other organisations and standards bodies, and family mediation outreach with – amongst others - DMS.
We also provided more than 120 completely free places on various training courses in the last five years and subsidised many more – in all 114 people have benefitted in 2022 from partial or full fee remissions.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
We provided considerable guidance to government and were ably represented by our Vice Chair and volunteer CEO at the highest levels of government, judicial and MOJ mediation planning providing input and learning.
We continued to have a presence in updating mediation procedures and benefitted from Eleanor Tack’s regular newsletter the Listening Brief. We also took on Helen Chapman as our full time Operations Officer in September who has already made a notable difference.
We developed our already 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 seventy people from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and Namibia. We also engaged with various Asian and Caribbean communities on Zoom courses.
This work continues and we are looking at common international protocols. We are looking at a quality assurance programme and a major appeal in 2023.
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 now Helen across the year. We also benefitted from the drive and direction of the Trustees who spared not a moment.
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
FINANCIAL REVIEW - continued
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.
We record with thanks the service of Claire Kean over the last five years, and Jonathan Dingle FRSA as a Trustee after two terms since 2012. He continues to lead the training faculty through 218 Strand Limited. Stirling Pugh has also stepped down after five years excellent service. We welcome Martin Medforth, Ama Agbeze and Eleanor Tack.
It is to these fine individuals working collectively and selflessly that we collectively look for our direction in 2023 and beyond and we can do so now with a fresh and stable confidence.
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 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 (Resigned in year) I Strathcarron D Collis J Sephton R Sandhu S Pugh (Resigned in year) J Hodge K Ealey J Mulrooney D M Cawdell-Trew D Ingle C Kean (Resigned in year) M Edforth (Appointed in year) A Agbeze (Appointed in year) E Tack (Appointed in year) M Ganesan (Appointed in Year)
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS - continued
Independent Examiner
Bagborough Accountancy Chartered Accountants 2, The Crescent Taunton Somerset TA1 4EA
Approved by order of the board of Trustees on 26 January 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
M Ganesan - 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 2022.
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 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Michael January BA FCA Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Bagborough Accountancy Chartered Accountants 2, The Crescent Taunton Somerset TA1 4EA
26 January 2023
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|2022|2021|
|Unrestricted fund|Unrestricted fund|
|Notes|£|£|
|INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM|
|Donations and legacies|9,700|6,397|
|Other trading activities|2|300,903|242,736|
|Investment income|3|-|1|
|Total|310,603|249,134|
|EXPENDITURE ON|
|Raising funds|294,263|241,277|
|Charitable activities|
|Governance costs|7,903|9,277|
|Total|302,166|250,554|
|NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|8,437|(1,420)|
|RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS|
|Total funds brought forward|50,366|51,786|
|TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD|58,803|50,366|
----- End of picture text -----
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2022
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|2022|2021|
|Unrestricted fund|Unrestricted fund|
|Notes|£|£|
|CURRENT ASSETS|
|Debtors|52,498|36,125|
|Cash at bank|6|12,306|17,769|
|64,804|53,894|
|CREDITORS|
|Amounts falling due within one year|7|(6,001)|(3,528)|
|NET CURRENT ASSETS|58,803|50,366|
|TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT|
|LIABILITIES|58,803|50,366|
|NET ASSETS|58,803|50,366|
|FUNDS|
|Unrestricted Funds|8|58,803|50,366|
|TOTAL FUNDS|58,803|50,366|
----- End of picture text -----
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 January 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
M Ganesan - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
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.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Mediation courses Rents received |
2022 £ 148,664 152,239 300,903 |
2021 £ 87,460 155,276 242,736 |
|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Deposit account interest | 2022 £ - |
2021 £ 1 |
|---|---|---|
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no Trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 nor for the year ended 31 March 2021.
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 work of the society - mainly on free courses or mediations. Disclosure of these amounts can be seen in the Related Party Disclosures not to the financial statements.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | £ Unrestricted fund |
|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | 6,397 |
| Other trading activities | 242,736 |
| Investment income | 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 |
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| 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 VAT 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 01.04.21 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 50,366 TOTAL FUNDS 50,366 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 310,603 TOTAL FUNDS 310,603 Comparatives for movement in funds At 01.04.20 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 51,786 TOTAL FUNDS 51,786 |
2022 £ 14,499 37,999 - 52,498 2022 £ 827 3,860 1,314 6,001 Net movement in funds £ 8,437 8,437 Resources expended £ (302,166) (302,166) Net movement in funds £ (1,420) (1,420) |
2021 £ 21,069 14,677 379 36,125 2021 £ 828 2,700 - 3,528 At 31.03.22 £ 58,803 58,803 Movement in funds £ 8,437 8,437 At 31.03.21 £ 50,366 50,366 |
|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 249,134 (250,554) TOTAL FUNDS 249,134 (250,554) A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: Net At movement 01.04.20 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 51,786 7,017 TOTAL FUNDS 51,786 7,017 |
Movement in funds £ (1,420) (1,420) At 31.03.22 £ 58,803 58,803 |
|---|---|
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 £ 559,737 559,737 |
Resources expended £ (552,720) (552,720) |
Movement in funds £ 7,017 7,017 |
|---|---|---|---|
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THE SOCIETY OF MEDIATORS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
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 to The Society of Mediators.
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 honorary CEO of the charity. The Trustees believe that the arrangement is in the best interest of the charity as it allows the charity to continue raising funds. Mr J C Dingle underpins both 218 Strand Limited and the charity.
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 D Ingle R Sandhu |
2022 £ 25,970 2,341 - 28,311 |
2021 £ 9,448 2,494 814 12,756 |
|---|---|---|
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