**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION (Company limited by guarantee no. 08576499 registered charity no. 1153293)**
## **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**(Company limited by guarantee no. 08576499, registered charity no. 1153293)**
**REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Legal and administrative information**|1|
|**Board of Trustees's report**|2|
|**Independent Auditors' Report**|7|
|**Statement Of Financial Activities**|10|
|**Balance Sheet**|11|
|**Cash Flow Statement**|12|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|13|
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
**Board of Trustees** J Hoarau (resigned 1 July 2020) M Jeddi (appointed 17 December 2018) R K Guy (resigned 31 October 2019) W Lee (appointed 1 April 2019) C Margallo (appointed 31 January 2020) M Muse (resigned 1 July 2020) G Olugbodi (resigned 1 July 2020) S To (appointed 1 April 2019) O Agho (appointed 1 July 2020) R Benson (appointed 31 January 2020 resigned 1 July 2020) N Iddirisu (resigned 31 January 2020) **Principal Officers** Andy Morwood Chief Executive (from 21 Sept 2020) Graeme Hope Chief Executive (resigned March 2020) Alan Roberts Interim Chief Executive (from 19 Mar 2020 to 30 Sept 2020) Jacqueline Molineaux Deputy CEO (from 30 Nov 2020) **Company reg. no.** 08576499 (England and Wales) **Charity reg. no.** 1153293 **Registered office** 166-220 Holloway Road London N7 8DB **Accountants** Knox Cropper LLP 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD **Bankers** Barclays Bank PLC 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP
1
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31 July 2020**
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2020. 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**
## **Objectives and aims**
The charitable object of London Metropolitan University Students' Union is the advancement of education of students at the University for the public benefit by,
- § promoting the interests and welfare of students at London Metropolitan University during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising students;
- § being the recognised representative channel between students and London Metropolitan University and any other external bodies; and
- § providing social, cultural and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its students.
## **Activities and achievements**
During the last year, the Union continued its period of change and development over the past year, having significantly developed in key areas such as: governance, finance & resources, organisational structure and strategy development. Like with most other charities, the global pandemic had also been a severe challenge for the organisation but one which we have faced and are succeeding in delivering for our members despite everything.
Out-with this significant work the three principal areas of activity for the Students’ Union in terms of work undertaken towards achieving the charitable aims and objectives are highlighted below:
## Student activities and development (Activity)
MetSU aims to be a physical and a virtual space for students to connect, learn and grow. We support over seventy student groups. If our members are looking for a community - whether they share a faith, interest, culture, sport, hobby, passion or subject of study - there’s something on offer. From trampolining to Krishna Consciousness, we have it all! A healthy student community benefits from the occasional big celebration as well. Starting with Welcome Week, our calendar of events covers sport with #SeaOfRed and our Varsity rivalry with SOAS, through to the SU Awards - a celebration of excellence that shifted seamlessly online this year.
## Student representation and campaigns (Voice)
We amplified the voices of students on a huge range of topics this year. Within the University, we campaigned hard on academic matters, working to prevent academic decisions negatively affecting the wellbeing of our members. We ensured the No Detriment policy in light of Covid-19 was acceptable to students. With the Academic Quality Department, we reinstated every student’s ability to request a three day extension.
We also had input into the University’s Student Engagement Strategy and its overall organisational strategy, giving our members influence over these plans at the earliest possible stage. A joint effort with the University saw our NSS turnout shoot up - and our approval rating followed, placing the Union in third place in London with our Question 26 score.
Outside of class, we grew our Liberation Zones and hosted a series of events, campaigns and debates, including Black History Month, LGBT+ History Month, and International Women’s Day. MP candidates were quizzed at an elections husting, and members debated the decolonisation of the curriculum in a panel discussion with the Vice Chancellor.
2
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31 July 2020**
As scandal grew around the University Patron, Prince Andrew, we channelled student opinions to the Board of Governors - arranging a democratic vote of no-confidence in record time. Our work in these areas continues next year. Officer priorities include closing the black accreditation & awarding gap, decolonising the curriculum, and developing the strength of our academic representation network.
## Student advice (Advice)
Our Advice Service supported students in acute academic crisis throughout the year. As a confidential service, operated independently of the University, the Advice Service is a vital lifeline for the small number of students who find themselves in complex situations - such as termination of studies, misconduct appeals, or seeking extensions to deadlines due to personal circumstances.
This year, our officers and staff have also supported a large number of students to navigate wider crises, such as funding errors made by Student Finance England or the widespread disruption caused by the pandemic. We also advocated for students collectively, seeking to prevent problems occurring and building a more just and fair learning environment for all.
## **Public benefit**
The trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in developing the activities and services of the charity to meet its objectives.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Reserves policy**
It is considered best practice for charities to establish a level of reserves sufficient to enable core services to members to be delivered in the event of a disruption to its funding or operation. At the year-end, the free reserves of the Union stood at £29,307.
The Union maintains reserves in accordance with the Charity Commission's guidance which represent the 'free’ reserves available to the Union's Trustees to be unrestrictedly spent on the purposes of the Union.
They do not include any endowments, restricted or designated funds, nor do they include funds that could only be realised by disposing of fixed assets or stock in trade (or working capital).
In the Trustees' view, the Union should maintain 'free' reserves that are appropriate to the Union's size, activity and structure
- § At present, the Union has no commitments in relation to rent, loans or hire purchase agreements
- § The Union has no assets which require maintenance or replacement
- § The Union holds adequate insurances for its activity
- § Permanent staff are employed by the Union
- § The Union does not run any sizable trading activity or subsidiary companies
- § The majority of Union income is from university grant funding
- § Grants are paid on a monthly basis and these are carefully phased to ensure a healthy cash flow
Given the nature of the activity and the contraction of staff, it is the view of Trustees that the Union only hold between £20,000 and £40,000 in reserve to allow for small variations in activity and income as to set and build a larger reserve would be detrimental to activity. Should amounts be in excess of £50,000 then the Trustees, in consultation with stakeholders, will draw up a plan to spend the additional funds.
During the year of operation, the Union received a block grant of £610,000 from the London Metropolitan University who also provided £59,300 of additional funding on top of our grant. The Union also received £1,858 from the University for fee and services provided. This income was expended on the Union's charitable activities, primarily as staff costs. As a result of its activities, Net income for the year amounted to £8,645 that increased the unrestricted general funds to £29,307.
3
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31 July 2020**
## **Future Plans**
The Students' Union developed an ambitious strategy for 2019 – 2023. This strategy was informed by consultation with Trustees, Senior Management, student officers and the staff team from within the Students' Union as well as key stakeholders in the University. The development of the strategy was underpinned by insight from our members through a series of interviews, surveys and focus groups at the end of 2019.
The Strategy focuses on five key themes:
- § 'Your Union'
- § 'Representing You' § 'Supporting You'
- § 'Developing You'
- § 'Our Future'
The new strategy covers important future areas of work from the review of the system of our student representation system to the introduction of a Student Volunteering and Charity Week; all of this work is built on our mission, vision and values and underpinned by strategic enablers that provide a focus on good governance, financial health and investment in our staff and students and the efficient and effective operational delivery of everything that we do.
Linked to this will be the development of an annual operating plan to ensure the Students’ Union works towards achieving the strategic objectives and continues to provides for our members. Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) will also be set to allow measurement of achievement of actions against the objectives.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charitable company is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. In the event of winding up the liability of each Company Law Member is limited to £1.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The Board of Trustees is made up of not more than two sabbatical officer trustees, not more than two student trustees, one alumni trustee and not more than three external trustees. The sabbatical officer trustees are elected by secret ballot by the members of the Union and serve one year in office unless re-elected for the second year. The student trustees are elected by a simple majority vote of the Student Council from its membership and include one undergraduate and one postgraduate student. Student trustees serve for a two-year term and must be a student for the duration of their term in office. Student trustees can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The alumni and external trustees are appointed by the Appointments Committee and ratified by the trustees. They can serve for a maximum of 2 terms of 2 years each.
## **Organisational Structure**
The Board of Trustees met three times during the year. It is responsible for the strategic direction, governance and sustainability of the charity but delegates its day-to-day running to the Student Officer team and its Senior Management. The Board established a Transition Board to oversee the transition between Chief Executives which met fortnightly between March and September.
## **Induction and Training of New Trustees**
Once elected or appointed all trustees receive tailored training to enable them to understand their legal obligations and their other important responsibilities as charity trustees. The Student Officer Trustees also receive training that is more comprehensive as they work full time for the organisation and complete a portfolio of duties, alongside their Trustee roles.
## **Staff Employment**
The permanent staff were transferred to full employment of the Union on 1 December 2019 under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
4
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31 July 2020**
## **Key Management Remuneration**
The levels of remuneration for all staff including those of senior management are calculated on the basis of salary scales which map responsibilities and experience to set scales. The salary scales are reviewed annually to take into account of cost of living and the London living allowance.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. They regularly review the major strategic, operational and reputational risks faced by the charity, this forms an agenda item for all trustees meetings. Each risk identified is assessed for its impact and likelihood, actions required to mitigate or manage it are noted and the risk is assigned to a senior staff member or trustee.
At present, the major risks are identified below with notes on mitigation.
## **Sustainability:** Cuts to core grant funding related to Student numbers
## _Mitigation_
- Active participation in recruitment groups and activity that exist within the University ∙ Union provides an active resource for potential students
- Ensures effective funding through annual budget conversation
**Sustainability:** Failure to be seen by students or the university as the voice of students resulting in breakaway protest groups and lack of confidence from the University
## _Mitigation_
- Communicate clearly to membership all actions taken
- Ongoing University Liaison group
- Feedback on regular University/ Union Meetings
Reform and review of governance structure in line with NUS and Charity Commission codes
**Core Business:** Failure to anticipate, identify and satisfy the needs of all the membership _Mitigation_
- Faculty Officer Model
- Regular research to inform decisions
## **Core Business:** Radical activity on campus
## _Mitigation_
- Liaison
- Active relationship with estates and secretary's office
- Staff Training
- Monitoring of online media
- Strong links with University
**Systems:** Inadequate provision of a safe recreational, learning, working environment
## _Mitigation_
- Implementation of effective procedures
- Adequate insurance for activities
- Liaison with H&S
- Risk assessments for events and activities
At this time, there are no uncertainties as to the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The impact of any significant pension deficit and pension arrangements are a responsibility of the University.
5
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31 July 2020**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES**
The trustees (who are also the directors of London Metropolitan University Students' Union for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Board of Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- § select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- § observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- § make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- § prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- § there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
- § the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 7 December 2020 and signed on its behalf by:
.............................................
Simon To – Chair, Board of Trustees
6
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION (registered company no. 08576499)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of London Metropolitan University Students' Union (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 July 2020 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash flows and notes to the financial statements, 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 31 July 2020 and of 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 Auditor’s 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 UK, including the FRC’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**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:
- the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
- the trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charitable company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information.
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.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.
/Continued …
7
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION (registered company no. 08576499)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **(Continued)**
## **Opinions 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, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the directors’ report included within 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 the 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 directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the 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.
- 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 in the Trustees' Report, 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.
## **Auditor’s 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 auditor’s 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.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: _http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities_ . This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
/Continued …
8
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION (registered company no. 08576499)**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2020**
## **(Continued)**
## **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 auditor’s 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 the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report or for the opinions we have formed.
Richard Billinghurst (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of:
## **Knox Cropper LLP**
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD
7 December 2020
9
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account) For the period ended 31 July 2020**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Note**
**2020**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
2
**669,300**
**-**
Other trading activities
3
**31,294**
**-**
**TOTAL**
**700,594**
**-**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Fund raising costs
**-**
Charitable activities
Student activities and development
**355,915**
**-**
Student representation and campaigns
**172,754**
**-**
Student advice
**163,280**
**-**
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
4
**691,949**
**-**
**8,645**
**-**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**8,645**
**-**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:**
TOTAL FUNDS AT 1 AUGUST 2019
_20,662_
_-_
**TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 JULY 2020**
**29,307**
**£ **
**Nil**
**£**
Net income/(expenditure)|**Total &**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2020**
**£**
**669,300**
**31,294**|_Total &_
_Unrestricted_
_Funds_
_2019_
_£_
_757,701_
_8,557_|
|---|---|---|
||**700,594**|_766,258_|
||**-**
**355,915**
**172,754**
**163,280**|_1,523_
_431,826_
_180,201_
_172,307_|
||**691,949**|_785,857_|
||**8,645**|_(19,599)_|
||**8,645**
_20,662_|_(19,599)_
_40,261_|
||**29,307**
**£ **|_20,662_
_£ _|
10
## **LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
Company limited by guarantee (registered company no. 08576499)
## **BALANCE SHEET As at 31 July 2020**
|**Notes**
**Charity**
**2020**
**£**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
10
**#REF!**
**#REF!**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
11
**20,805**
Cash at bank and in hand
**70,014**
**90,819**
**CREDITORS: amounts falling due**
**within one year**
12
**(67,787)**
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**23,032**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**#REF!**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**#REF!**
**#REF!**
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds:
General fund
13
**29,307**
**29,307**
**£ **|**Group**
_Charity_
**2020**
_2019_
**£**
_£_
**6,275**
_#REF!_
**6,275**
_#REF!_
**20,800**
_#REF!_
**70,014**
_#REF!_
**90,814**
_#REF!_
**(67,782)**
_#REF!_
**23,032**
_#REF!_
**29,307**
_#REF!_
**29,307**
**£ **
_#REF!_
**#REF!**
**29,307**
**29,307**
_-_
**29,307**
**£ **
_Nil_
_£_|_Group_
_2019_
_£_
_8,026_|
|---|---|---|
|||_8,026_|
|||_5,996_
_31,973_|
|||_37,969_
_(25,333)_|
|||_12,636_|
|||_20,662_|
|||_20,662_
_£ _|
|||_20,662_|
|||_20,662_|
|||_20,662_
_£ _|
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved, and authorised for issue, by the Board of Trustees on 7 December 2020 and signed on their behalf by:-
S TO, Trustee
The annexed notes form part of these financial statements
11
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the period ended 31 July 2020**
|**Cash flows from operating activities**
Surplus/(deficit) for the financial year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
**Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 August 2019
**Components of cash and cash equivalents**
**At 1**
**August 2019**
Cash at bank and in hand
**31,973**
**£ **
**Cash and cash equivalents at 31 July 2020**|**2020**
**£**
**8,645**
**1,751**
**(14,804)**
**42,449**
**38,041**
**-**
**38,041**
**31,973**
**70,014**
**£ **
**Cashflows**
**38,041**
**£ **|_2019_
_£_
(19,599)
730
53,587
(134,007)|
|---|---|---|
|||(99,289)
(8,756)|
|||(108,045)
140,018|
|||31,973
£|
|||**At 31 July**
**2020**
**70,014**
**£ **|
12
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## _**Basis of preparation of financial statements**_
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS102, have been prepared under the historical cost convention. They have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' (SORP 2019), in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The presentational currency of the financial statements is Pound Sterling (£).
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern.
## _**Company status**_
London Metropolitan University Students' Union is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Charity.
## _**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.
## _**Incoming resources**_
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.
## _**Resources Expended**_
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.
13
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## _**Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**_
The Union participates in two pension schemes, the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) and the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). NEST is a defined contribution scheme open to the Union's sabbatical officers and staff. Contributions payable to the scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
LPFA is a statutory, contributory, defined benefit scheme and is contracted out of the State EarningsRelated Pension Scheme. The scheme is valued every three years and in the intervening years the actuaries review the progress of the scheme. Administration staff of the Union have joint contracts of employment with London Metropolitan University and are entitled to join the LPFA. Although the University is able to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the LPFA, the Union is not. Therefore, using the exemption under FRS 102, contributions to the scheme are accounted for as if they were defined contribution schemes and employer contributions payable to the scheme are charged as expenditure in the period to which they relate.
## _**Taxation**_
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## _**Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**_
All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Fixture and fittings
-
5 years
## _**Debtors**_
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## _**Cash at bank and in hand**_
Cash at bank and cash 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.
## _**Creditors and provisions**_
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
14
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## _**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.
## _**Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**_
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty are detailed in the above accounting policies, where applicable.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2020**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
Donations
**-**
**-**
LMU Block Grant
**610,000**
**-**
Other LMU Grants
**59,300**
**-**
**669,300**
**£ **
**Nil**
**£**
**3.**
**INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2020**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
NUS Extra cards commission
**1,667**
**-**
Sports and membership income
**6,450**
**-**
Other income from activities
**23,177**
**-**
**31,294**
**£ **
**Nil**
**£**
**-**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2020**
**£**
**-**
**610,000**
**59,300**
**669,300**
**£ **
**Total**
**Funds**
**2020**
**£**
**1,667**
**6,450**
**23,177**
**31,294**
**£ **|_Total_
_Funds_
_2019_
_£_
_4,856_
_591,276_
_161,569_|
|---|---|---|
|||_757,701_
_£ _|
|||_Total_
_Funds_
_2019_
_£_
_81_
_8,476_
_-_|
|||_8,557_
_£ _|
||||
15
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
|**4.**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Staff costs**
**Other direct**
**costs**
**£**
**£**
**Cost of Charitable Activities**
Student activities and
development
**229,669**
**84,704**
Student representation
and campaigns
**147,234**
**3,951**
Student advice
**146,501**
**-**
**523,404**
**88,655**
**Fund raising costs**
Costs of generating funds
**-**
**-**
**Total expenditure**
**523,404**
**£ **
**88,655**
**£ **
**_Comparative cost of charitable activities_**
_Staff costs_
_Other direct_
_costs_
_£_
_£_
_Cost of Charitable Activities_
_Student activities and_
_development_
_246,021_
_146,022_
_Student representation_
_and campaigns_
_158,036_
_1,508_
_Student advice_
_156,238_
_-_
_560,295_
_147,530_
_Fund raising costs_
_Costs of generating funds_
_-_
_1,523_
_Total expenditure 2019_
_560,295_
_£ _
_149,053_
_£ _
Resources expended include:
Auditors’ remuneration:
Audit fee
Depreciation
- on owned assets|**Support**
**costs**
**£**
**41,542**
**21,569**
**16,779**
**79,890**
**-**
**79,890**
**£ **
_Support_
_costs_
_£_
_39,783_
_20,657_
_16,069_
_76,509_
_-_
_76,509_
_£ _|**Total 2020**
**£**
**355,915**
**172,754**
**163,280**
**691,949**
**-**
**691,949**
**£ **
**2020**
**5,235**
**1,751**|Total 2019
_£_
_431,826_
_180,201_
_172,307_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_784,334_
_1,523_|
||||_785,857_
_£ _|
||||_Total 2019_
_£_
_431,826_
_180,201_
_172,307_|
||||_784,334_
_1,523_|
||||_785,857_
_£ _|
||||_2019_
_5,785_
_730_|
Details of staff costs are given in Note 7. Details of Support costs is given in Note 6.
16
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
|**5.**
**DIRECT COSTS**
Society events
Affiliation fees
Subscriptions and licences
Conferences
Marketing and advertising
Awards
Catering
Training and development
Campaign welfare
Services
Sports activities
Travel and subsistance
Legal and professional
**6.**
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Information technology
Insurance
Bank charges
General office expenses
Professional and consultancy
Auditors' audit fee|**2020**
**£**
**14,457**
**26,245**
**9,484**
**869**
**11,135**
**596**
**1,989**
**6,220**
**171**
**10,315**
**1,286**
**2,889**
**2,999**
**88,655**
**£ **
**Total**
**2020**
**£**
**2,996**
**4,761**
**1,266**
**32,845**
**32,787**
**5,235**
**79,890**
**£ **|**2019**
**£**
_107,618_
_18,748_
_-_
_-_
_12,863_
_765_
_2,940_
_6,000_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_119_
_-_|
|---|---|---|
|||_149,053_
_£ _|
|||_Total_
_2019_
_£_
_13,770_
_4,196_
_637_
_29,128_
_22,993_
_5,785_|
|||_76,509_
_£ _|
17
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **7. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS**
|**2020**
**£**
Wages and salaries
**452,730**
Social security costs
**23,619**
Pension costs
**5,419**
Cost of contracted staff
**41,636**
**523,404**
**£ **
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
**Number**
Sabbatical officers
**4.0**
Administration staff
**16.0**
**20.0**|_2019_
_£_
_460,191_
_35,889_
_31,235_
_32,980_|
|---|---|
||_560,295_
_£ _|
||_Number_
_4.0_
_16.0_|
||_20.0_|
No employee received remuneration of more than £60,000. The salaries above include termination payments of £64,741 during the year.
The key management personnel of the Union are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Union, directly or indirectly, including any Trustee of the Charity. In addition to the Trustees, Key management personnel includes the Chief Executive. Aggregate remuneration and benefits paid to key management personnel during the year amounted to £188,229 (2019 - £174,031).
## **8. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2020**
**£**
**85,137**
**5,846**
**721**
**91,704**
**£ **|_2019_
_£_
_90,477_
_6,018_
_862_|
|---|---|---|
|||_97,357_
_£ _|
Trustees remuneration relates to the Sabbatical officers, who are also trustees of the Union. No members of the Board of Trustees received reimbursement of expenses (2019 - £NIL).
18
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **9. PENSION ARRANGEMENTS**
The Union contributes to two pension schemes, the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA) and National Employment Savings Trust (NEST).
The LPFA Fund (the Fund) provides members with benefits related to pay and service at rates which are defined under the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997. This scheme was for the administrative staff of the Union who employed by joint contracts of employment with London Metropolitan University. However, the staff were transferred to full employment of the Union on 1 December 2019 under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. The University has also agreed to take up the libilities arising from the past service pension costs under this pension scheme hence this will have no impact on the Union's liability.
NEST is a defined contribution pension scheme and pension contributions in the current year amounted to £5,419.
## **10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**||
|---|---|
|**Cost**
At 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020
**Depreciation**
At 1 August 2019
Charge for the year
At 31 July 2020
**Net book value**
**At 31 July 2020**
At 31 July 2019|**Fixture and**
**fittings**
**£**
**8,756**|
||**730**
**1,751**|
||**2,481**|
||**6,275**
**£ **|
||_8,026_
_£ _|
## **11. DEBTORS**
|**Charity**
**2020**
**Due within one year**
**£**
Trade debtors
**210**
Prepayments
**13,966**
Accrued income
**6,629**
Other debtors
**-**
**20,805**
**£ **|**Group**
_Charity_
**2020**
_2019_
**£**
_£_
**210**
_#REF!_
**13,961**
_#REF!_
**6,629**
_#REF!_
**-**
_#REF!_
**20,800**
**£ **
_#REF!_|_Group_
_2019_
_£_
_-_
_5,296_
_-_
_700_|
|---|---|---|
|||_5,996_
_£ _|
19
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|**13. **
**14. **|**Charity**
**Group**
**2020**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
Trade creditors
**15,524**
**15,524**
Deferred income
**20,000**
**20,000**
Social security and other taxes
**7,561**
**7,561**
Other creditors
**24,702**
**24,697**
**67,787**
**£ **
**67,782**
**£ **
Deferred income
Balance at 1 August 2019
**#REF!**
**-**
Amount released to incoming resources
**#REF!**
**-**
Amount deferred in the year
**20,000**
**20,000**
Balance at 31 July 2020
**#REF!**
**20,000**
**£ **
**STATEMENT OF FUNDS**
**Brought**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Forward**
**Resources**
**Expended**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**SUMMARY OF FUNDS**
General Funds 2020
**20,662**
**£ **
**700,594**
**£ **
**(691,949)**
**£**
_General Funds 2019_
_40,261_
_£ _
_766,258_
_£ _
_(785,857)_
_£_
**ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**Designated**
**General**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
**-**
**6,275**
Net current assets
**-**
**23,032**
**Funds 2020**
**Nil**
**£**
**29,307**
**£ **
_Tangible fixed assets_
_-_
_8,026_
_Net current assets_
_-_
_12,636_
_Funds 2019_
_Nil_
_£_
_20,662_
_£ _|_Charity_
_2019_
_£_
_#REF!_
_#REF!_
_#REF!_
_#REF!_
_#REF!_
_-_
_#REF!_
_#REF!_
**Transfers**
**£**
**Nil**
**£**
_Nil_
_£_
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**Nil**
**£**
_-_
_-_
_Nil_
_£_|_Group_
_2019_
_£_
_7,526_
_-_
_4,101_
_13,706_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_25,333_
_£ _|
||||_-_
_-_|
||||_Nil_
_£_|
||||**Carried**
**Forward**
**£**
**29,307**
**£ **|
||||_20,662_
_£ _|
||||**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**6,275**
**23,032**|
||||**29,307**
**£ **|
||||_8,026_
_12,636_|
||||_20,662_
_£ _|
20
**LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the period ended 31 July 2020**
## **15. GOING CONCERN**
The Union is dependent on the ongoing financial support of the London Metropolitan University. The trustees are of the opinion that this support will be forthcoming from the University for at least a further 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The trustees have also assessed the impact of Covid-19. The trustees have considered the level of funds held, support from Government schemes and the expected level of income and expenditure is sufficient to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **16. RELATED PARTIES**
Officer Trustees are remunerated for their executive responsibilities in accordance with the Union constitution. Four trustees of the Charity received payment for their services as Sabbatical Officers of the Union totalling as set out in note 8. There were no other related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2020.
21