Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Registered No. 1160486
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
| Charity Information | 1 |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 2-3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 |
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
TRUSTEES: Greg Valerio Simon Thomas Jonathan Barnes (App 10/09/2020) Rev Caroline Armitage (App 10/09/2020) Rev Beverly Thomas (App 29/05/2020) REGISTERED OFFICE: 1 Holloway Cottage, Chactonbury Ring Road, Chanctonbury, West Sussex BN44 3DR REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1160486 BANKERS: Co-operative Bank Skelmsdale, Yorkshire, WN8 6WT
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2021.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's governing document, applicable law and the requirements 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objects
The objective of the Charity is to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public by fostering spiritual development in accordance with the Statement of Faith appearing in the schedule attached to the Charity Constitution and in particular through the practice of prayer, devotional work and devotional learning.
Aims, Objectives, Strategies and Activities for the Year
The policy of the Charity is to fulfil its objects by continuing to develop both the vision and the practical steps towards setting up a Christian Community in line with Christian principles of sustainability, environmental protection and stewardship at the Great Barn on the Wiston Estate in West Sussex. In planning activities for the period, the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
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In furtherance of its charitable objectives the Society has secured planning application approval from SDNP planning authority to create an ecumenical prayer and retreat centre and working farm at a location on the Wiston Estate off Chanctonbury Ring Road, previously known as Great Barn Farm and to be known as St. Columba’s Community Farm. The vision for this establishment is as the Mother House of the Society to provide a home for spiritual nurturing, training and a working model of integrated holistic Christian living, that can in time be replicated. The farm is to be a place where a small working community is established in the context of a growing wild life habitat, flourishing ecology, and in the working context of an active and functioning small farm.
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The Society works closely with Columba’s Barn Community Benefit Society (CBS), established to support the work of the Society. Occupation of the farm premises will be jointly with the CBS.
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The Society jointly with the CBS formally completed a lease of up to 30 years of the buildings and some 23 acres of surrounding farmland at Great Barn Farm from the Wiston Estate in February 2020. The timing has made the launch of the next phase of the project challenging as we almost immediately went into the Covid pandemic and the first and subsequent lockdowns. While it was possible to invite volunteers onto the farm in a limited way to start community activity on the farm this was severely limited by the impact of the pandemic. Progress has therefore inevitably been slower than we would have hoped. Nevertheless, we made progress clearing the site, including planting saplings, beginning the natural regeneration of the site, and welcoming interested visitors on to the farm when possible.
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The Society has for some years held regular ‘Night Prayers’ at locations around Sussex
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
to enable and to encourage local Christians with a heart for responsibility for God’s creation to grow in faith and experience deeper understanding of God in creation. These continued during the year in line with government and Church of England Guidance as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
Total income for the year amounted to £2,863 (2020-£3,806) and net incoming resources were £789 (2020-£1,602 outgoing). Unrestricted reserves at 31[st] March 2021 were £3,727.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have reviewed their policy, taking into account recommendations by the Charity Commission, so as to establish an acceptable level of reserves which is the cornerstone of the prudent financial management of the Charity. Because the charity has no ongoing commitments and exists to raise funds and make grants from those funds there is little need for reserves. At 31[st] March 2021 free reserves amounted to £3,727.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The Charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 15[th] February 2015.
Trustees
Trustees are elected and removed by the Board of Trustees. Trustees’ details are listed on page 1.
The power to appoint new trustees is vested in the existing trustees. Future trustees will be selected to ensure the board maintains a suitable mix of skills and experience to continue its work . The Board of Trustees are actively looked to recruit new trustees to replace those retiring and expand the skills and diversity of the Board. New trustees will be given an appropriate induction into the charity. Trustees attend training courses where it is considered necessary.
Organisational Structure
The charity is managed and operated by the board of Trustees who meet at least bi-annually.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are required under Charity law to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the financial activities of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable laws and regulations. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Charity maintains an adequate system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss or unauthorised use and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
C Armitage – Chair of Trustees Date: 20 January 2022
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| Income Donations and gifts Investments - bank interest - Total Income Expenditure Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income and movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Total Funds 1st April 2020 Total funds at 31st March 2021 |
2021 2020 £ £ 2,863 3,806 - - 2,863 3,806 2,074 2,204 2,074 2,204 789 1,602 2,938 1,336 3,727 2,938 |
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (BALANCE SHEET) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
| Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in Hand Total Income Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds: Total charity funds |
2021 2,020 £ £ - - 3,727 2,938 3,727 2,938 - - 3,727 2,938 3,727 2,938 3,727 2,938 3,727 2,938 |
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SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Activities Administrative wages Wiston Estate Great Barn - development fees Office costs Bank fees Governance Costs Independent examination Debtors Contribution to Legal fees Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income Analysis of net assets between funds Current Assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
2021 2,020 £ £ 1634 440 1094 2074 1094 0 -1590 0 -1590 0 0 0 0 3727 1816 3727 1816 |
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