Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Society of St Columba (‘the CIO’)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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.
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.
Signed:
Name: Chris Morton Date: 31[st] January 2023
Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Registered No. 1160486
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2022
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2022
| 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 2022
| TRUSTEES: | Caroline Armitage (Co-Chair) |
|---|---|
| Beverley Thomas (Co-Chair) | |
| Greg Valerio | |
| Simon Thomas | |
| Jonathan Barnes | |
| 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 |
P a g e 1
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
TRUSTEES REPORT 2021-2022
Structure Governance and Management
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2022.
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comply with the Charity’s governing document and applicable law.
The Society of St Columba is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission no 1160486 and governed by a its Constitution copies of which are available from the Charity’s registered office.
The Society was established as a Membership organisation, but since its foundation has effectively operated on a foundation model, with the Trustees as the only Members. In October 2021 it was able to take its first step as a more widely founded membership organisation with its first Members making a commitment of faith and becoming full members of the Society. Membership is on an annual basis.
Objects
The Society is established with objects to advance the Christian Religion. Its stated intent is to do this by the establishment of a new monastic community which will live in line with Christian principles of sustainability, environmental protection and stewardship. Achievements and Performance
While the beginning of 2021 was still significantly affected by the pandemic, as the 2021-22 year progressed the Society, like society generally, slowly emerged from pandemic, and began to truly ‘inhabit ‘ its place on the Wiston Estate.
The Society continues to work closely with its co-tenants of the site, Columba’s Barn CBS to advance the objects of the Society and develop its vision of a new monastic community founded on Christian and ecological principles, drawing from the Celtic stream of Christian theology, and looking to live lightly on the land and farm in a way that is generative and regenerative of life. It is supported be a core committed group of followers and friends, some of whom are formal members of the Society, and looks to reach out into its local community and beyond.
In terms of its activities
-
Night Prayers on a Friday were able to take place regularly in the Barn for most of the year.
-
The regular monthly Community Days (generally held on the final Saturday of a month) have developed well with a wide variety of people attending. Our prayer meetings are attended by various numbers of people, with single digits in the winter, and anywhere up to 2 dozen in the summer months. Our catchment is primarily local to the immediate vicinity around Chanctonbury/Wiston.
-
In partnership with Columba's Barn CBS we have broadened our community impact to include specialist community groups working with homeless and trafficked women. This
P a g e 2
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2021
is focussed primarily around our community garden work.
-
The locations of the property at a regularly used crossroads on the footbath and bridleway network has enabled many conversations to take place with those passing through, particularly when the Columba’s Barn trailer coffee shop has been able to be opened for drop in refreshments.
-
A very successful Christmas meeting was the Barn in full use for hospitality, fellowship and worship.
-
As a Society we continue to host community volunteer days in our growing community garden in partnership with our sister organisation Columba's Barn CBS.
-
In the last 12 months we have worked in partnership with Sussex Wildlife Trust to undertake a pond restoration work and with South Downs National Park authority to begin the planting of a mixed fruit and woodland forest garden and develop a wildflower meadow.
-
Our shepherds hut is increasingly being used by members of the public and community members alike for private prayer retreats and quiet days.
Reserves Policy
Most activities of the Society have been carried out by volunteers on an unpaid basis. The Trustees only undertake committed outgoings for which they have obtained funding and have no legally committed ongoing obligations. Consequently, the Society’s current policy is not to hold committed reserves.
Public Benefit
The Trustees affirm that its activities are carried out for the public benefit and have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.
………………………………………………………… Rev Caroline Armitage Co - Chair Dated
P a g e 3
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| Income Donations and Gifts Grants (Restricted) Charitable Activities Investments - bank interest - Total Income Expenditure Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds 1 April 2021 Total Funds 31 March 2022 |
2021 £ Unrestricted Restricted Total 13,279 - 13,279 2,863 - 15,836 15,836 - 600 - 600 - - - - - 13,879 15,836 29,715 2,863 15,266 10,913 26,179 2,074 15,266 10,913 26,179 2,074 1,387 - 4,923 3,536 789 32 - 32 - - 1,419 - 4,955 3,536 789 3,727 - 3,727 2,938 2,308 4,955 7,263 3,727 2022 £ |
|---|---|
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (BALANCE SHEET) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022
| 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: Restricted income funds: Unrestricted income funds: Total charity funds |
2022 2021 £ £ - - 7,263 3,727 7,263 3,727 - - 7,263 3,727 7,263 3,727 4,955 - 2,308 3,727 7,263 3,727 |
|---|---|
SOCIETY OF ST COLUMBA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Activities Administrative Wiston Estate Great Barn - maintainance/development fees Total Expenditure Current Assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
2021 £ Unrestricted Restricted Total 48 10,913 10,961 2,941 - 2,941 12,277 - 12,277 1,634 15,266 10,913 26,179 1,634 2,308 4,955 7,263 3,727 - - - - 2,308 4,955 7,263 3,727 2022 £ |
|---|---|
There are no guarantees given by the Society or debt outstanding at the date of this statement.