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← The Jo Cox Foundation

2023-12-31-accounts

THE JO COX FOUNDATION TRUSTEES. REPORT ANDACCOUNTS 2023 •V•got Mor• in Common are far more united and hav far more In common than that di

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION FROM THE INTERIM CHAIR...................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE..............................................................................................4 ABOUT THE JO COX FOUNDATION....................................................................................................................6 STRONGER COMMUNITIES...................................................................................................................................... 7 RESPECTFUL POLITICS............................................................................................................................................... 11 HOW WE WORK...........................................................................................................................................................13 PRIORITIES FOR 2024................................................................................................................................................15 SUPPORTERS..................................................................................................................................................................16 FINANCIAL REVIEW.....................................................................................................................................................18 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT.....................................................................................19 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS................................................................................................23 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ AND DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES.....................................................24 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER...................................................................................................26 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES..........................................................................................................28 BALANCE SHEET..........................................................................................................................................................29 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS..............................................................................................................................31 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................................................................... 32

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INTERIM CHAIR ROSAMUND BLOMFIELD-SMITH

2023 was the most important year to date for our Respectful Politics work, as we placed the worsening issue of abuse and intimidation of elected politicians fully in the spotlight with the launch of the Jo Cox Civility Commission.

The Commission took Jo as its starting point, focusing not on the way that she died, but on her passion for achieving a gender balanced parliament. We know that abuse and intimidation disproportionately impacts female politicians, as it does those from a minority ethnic background or who are disabled, and we won’t see long-lasting change in representation without tackling the issue of abuse.

The enthusiastic response we had from individuals and organisations wanting to collaborate with us and contribute to the Commission shows the importance of the work. Suggesting concrete ways of bringing about change was essential, moving away from a mindset that nothing can be improved.

We were delighted to launch our 28 recommendations to the public in early 2024. But the work does not end here, and raising awareness, and pushing for the recommendations to be adopted, are key priorities for 2024.

We are also pleased to have delivered so much work in our Stronger Communities strand, as always guided by Jo’s words that “we have more in common than that which divides us”. In recognition of the increased work around Respectful Politics, we have paused our Fairer World strand, and will revisit how we best honour Jo’s international legacy in 2024.

I’d like to say a particular thank you to our funders and partners - without you none of our work would be possible. Thank you also to the dedicated staff of the Foundation who carry out its work with unfailing commitment and passion.

The whole board sends its heartfelt thanks to Jacqui Smith, who recently resigned as Chair to take up a ministerial post. For five years she chaired the Foundation with great distinction and led it with enormous drive and compassion.

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE

SU MOORE

2023 has been the first year of our new three year strategic cycle. With a sharper focus on what it means to us to be a legacy charity, and with a clear view of the change we want to make in the world, we’ve had a year of real progress on issues that Jo was passionate about.

In our Stronger Communities work, we have honed and refined our More in Common Partnerships model, understanding how Jo’s words that “we have more in common than that which divides us” can bring together organisations in cities and regions to work more effectively and support their communities. Our first Partnership, in Cardiff, demonstrated the power of this work, as they held 35 Great Get Together events in June. We have been delighted to secure a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund which will enable us to champion this work for the next three years, with the aim of establishing 15 Partnerships around the UK by 2026.

We’ve also been able to make often difficult decisions based on our strategic priorities. This has included the decision to close the Connection Coalition in 2024. Started at the beginning of the pandemic, with the aim of preventing a crisis of disconnection by supporting those working to address loneliness, the Coalition now has 1,000 members. We have decided that now is the time to close this crisis response project, and we’ll be focused in the early months of 2024 on a good end for the project. Before the closure, though, we’ve continued to amplify the voices of the members, raising awareness with the government of the issues impacting them, including the cost of living crisis.

You have already read about the progress on the Jo Cox Civility Commission. I have worked closely on the Commission call to action, and being able to recommend positive ways of addressing the issue of abuse and intimidation of elected politicians is such an important step to making change. One of our strategic aims is to be the leading voice in the UK on this issue, and the research and work we have done this year ensures we truly are experts, and we look forward to raising awareness, and bringing about change in 2024.

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We couldn’t have achieved anything that you will read about in this report without the brilliant and dedicated staff of the Foundation, and I want to say a huge thank you to them for their hard work. Thanks also to our funders who enable us to keep making change on issues that Jo cared about.

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ABOUT THE JO COX FOUNDATION

Jo Cox was a passionate campaigner, activist and humanitarian; a proud Yorkshire lass and internationalist; and a devoted mum, daughter, sister, wife, friend and MP.

The Jo Cox Foundation makes meaningful change on

issues that Jo was passionate about. Like Jo, we believe that a kinder, fairer and more connected world is possible. Underpinning this belief is the understanding that we have more in common than that which divides us. As we work to make change, we follow Jo’s example of collaborating with others and bringing people together to achieve more than we can alone.

We work in three areas. We nurture stronger communities, champion civility in politics and advocate for a fairer world.

We focus on making change led by the values by which Jo lived her life and are guided by the following principles:

Ambitious

This means: We believe, like Jo, that there should be no ‘too difficult to deal with’ pile

Collaborative

This means: We believe that achieving real change requires us all to pool our strengths and exchange our skills and resources

Empathetic

This means: We believe that kindness and compassion are signs of strength, and that it is only by understanding others that we can build relationships and bridge divides

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STRONGER COMMUNITIES

We want less lonely, better connected communities across the UK, where everyone feels that they belong.

Our Stronger Communities work spans:

The following is a summary of our achievements over the last 12 months

WE BROUGHT COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

In June, the Great Get Together once again demonstrated the desire of communities around the UK to come together to celebrate what unites us, and reject division. Over 650 events took place, with 97% of attendees saying that taking part positively impacted their wellbeing.

“There are very different types of people - age, background, wealth, culture, education, occupation across the housing block and an ever-increasing transient community. Arranging a get together offers us an opportunity to meet and understand each other better .”

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In 2022 we began a pilot of a new way of bringing communities together - the More in Common partnership. While More in Common groups are made up of individuals, partnerships bring organisations from an area together (which could include local councils, police, charities, youth groups) and tend to cover larger geographical areas.

With successful partnerships established in Cardiff and Nottingham, we have secured funding this year to further develop this model, and increase the number of partnerships around the country.

DEEP DIVE: CARDIFF MORE IN COMMON PARTNERSHIP

Made up of around 50 organisations – including Cardiff Council, South Wales Police, charities, and community organisations – the Partnership was established as an effort to collaboratively address issues in localities across Cardiff through the Great Get Together and other creative projects. The Partnership is developing and now set to support the delivery of the Welsh Government Community Cohesion Programme.

For the 2023 Great Get Together, 35 events took place across Cardiff. Hannah Garcia represents Green Squirrel, one of several groups that facilitated Great Get Together events in the Splott, Adamsdown, and Tremorfa areas of Cardiff. She said:

“To see so much joy and connection on the day, with a mixture of new and familiar faces, was wonderful, and it built our confidence to know that future events like this can be successful. It built stronger links between us and other local organisations , especially Oasis and NoFit State. This not only brings new people into the Gardens but also, we feel, builds local resilience as our organisations increasingly understand how we can work together, support each other, . and raise each other up

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WE BROUGHT ORGANISATIONS TOGETHER

Founded at the start of the pandemic, the Connection Coalition has continued to provide unique value to its members. However, as the pandemic recedes further into the past, we have made the decision to close this Covid response project in 2024, and are committed to learning from, and sharing knowledge, about the project.

In 2023, though, we have focused on continuing to offer the support that members value so much. A central part of our offer is our informal get togethers, monthly events where members are encouraged to come together, share, and support each other. We know that these help attendees in their work. 86% of attendees said they felt motivated afterwards, an increase from 69% at the start.

We also ran a community of practice. Over six sessions, 12 members came together with the aim of being supported to build their capacity to navigate uncertainty and keep

supporting people in their communities at risk of loneliness and disconnection.

“ I am feeling hugely grateful. Over the last 3 months I have been part of The Jo Cox Foundation Community Coalition [community of practice] and it has been a remarkable experience. It has involved coming together virtually with an amazing group of like-minded people to explore issues pertinent to our work (loneliness, social care, homelessness) in doing so gaining shared learning and support.

But it has also been a shared space for truly inspiring people to gain support with refocusing on how we perceive the world and the wicked problems we are trying to address. At a time when so many in my sector are suffering with compassion fatigue, unprecedented demands and ever growing financial pressures, this safe space with compassionate and caring peers has been a true sanctuary .”

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WE WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP

In collaboration with Migration Yorkshire, we used our existing networks across Yorkshire and expertise in running community events that bring people together, to support migrant and refugee groups, primarily but not exclusively Hongkongers, to run or participate in local Great Get Together events in the run up to the Yorkshire Integration Festival in September. 15 events were delivered to over 1000 participants, with events including:

“This is my first time doing something like this. We have never brought everyone together. People usually do their own small activities. Taking part in this project has taught me so much .”

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RESPECTFUL POLITICS

We want anyone, regardless of their background, to feel able to participate in our political discourse and be treated with respect. In particular, we seek to end the abuse and intimidation that discourages so many from entering political life, and especially impacts diverse representation.

2023 has been a transformational year for our Respectful Politics work, with the launch of the Jo Cox Civility Commission. Chaired by Baroness Bertin and Lord Coaker, the Commission set out to find implementable solutions to the worsening issue of

abuse and intimidation of elected politicians. Our starting point for this work is Jo. Jo was passionate about empowering other women into politics. We know that the problem of abuse disproportionately impacts women, and those from minority ethnic backgrounds, which is why we’re so determined to bring about change.

In 2023 we carried out vital stakeholder research to fully inform our recommendations for this area of work, which we announced in a call to action in early 2024. Following the launch of the Commission in February 2023, we:

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Based on what we heard in these conversations, we formulated 28 recommendations designed to make change in the long and short term. The recommendations sit across eight categories: coordination and behaviour, political literacy, social media, police and security, parliaments (Westminster and devolved administrations), local government, elections, and political parties.

Having identified implementable solutions to the issue, we are now focussing on pushing for action on the recommendations that we launched in early 2024, and on making meaningful change on this issue.

Theresa May, Prime Minister (2016 - 2019): Jo Cox was a passionate advocate for inspiring women to enter politics and it is a fitting tribute to her memory for us to take action on abuse and intimidation, which otherwise deters people from putting themselves forward and standing for election. I was first elected in 1997 and since then we have witnessed the changing face of abuse and intimidation faced by elected representatives, both in the UK and in democracies worldwide. In 2018, the Jo Cox Loneliness Commission provided a roadmap for us to make great strides on that important issue and I believe the Jo Cox Civility Commission will do the same.

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister (2007 - 2010): In the immediate aftermath of Jo’s murder in 2016, I wrote about the downward spiral we were witnessing in our political culture and about the hope many of us had for Jo’s legacy to be a turning point. With the recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we now have the chance to turn words into action on this issue and bring about the changes to our political culture that are well overdue.

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HOW WE WORK

The way that we work is as important to us as what we do. We lead by example and stay true to the values by which Jo lived her life in all of our day-to-day operations. We think about this work in three categories.

PEOPLE

A diverse and inclusive workforce is central to achieving our

COMMUNICATING OUR WORK

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which helped inform the government’s £76m Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.

OPERATIONS

Operations - including governance, finance and fundraising - is central to how the Foundation functions. These internal (and essential) elements are as integrally linked to our values as the rest of our work.

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PRIORITIES FOR 2024

In 2024 we continue to make positive change on issues that Jo was passionate about. We are placing particular focus on:

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SUPPORTERS

We would like to thank everyone who supported our work in 2023, particularly our dedicated and hard-working staff team. Without them, we couldn’t achieve any of our work on issues that Jo was passionate about.

FUNDERS AND PARTNERS

Charitable trusts and foundations

Corporates and other organisations

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Government and public sector

Community events

Our thanks to everyone who participated in our two main community events in 2023: the Jo Cox Way and the Royal Parks Half Marathon. We’d also like to thank all of those who undertook to use their Great Get Together as a way to fundraise for us, and all of those who undertook their own fundraising for the Foundation.

Individual donors

We continue to receive support from many individuals, including those who choose to make regular donations to us as Friends of the Jo Cox Foundation. We would like to thank all of those who donated to us in 2023.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

Funds raised

Total income for the year was £684,727 (2022: £629,515); of which unrestricted income was £229,496 (2022: £196,519) and restricted income was £455,231 (2022: £432,996).

Expenditure

Total expenditure was £648,914, (2022: £591,489); of which unrestricted expenditure was £177,169 (2022: £162,565) and restricted expenditure was £471,745 (2022: £428,924).

This resulted in a surplus for the year of £35,813 (2022: £38,026).

RESERVES POLICY

JCF's reserves policy has been devised by analysing the charity's main financial obligations now, and in the future, the cost of reshaping the charity and the scale of risk to voluntary income to calculate a target sum of unrestricted funds to be held in reserve. Such a sum should be sufficient to ensure the continued operation of the charity in the medium term in the event of a drop in generated income.

The level of free reserves is continually monitored. It is monitored monthly by management as part of their review of the management accounts, and is reported to all meetings of both the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and the full Board, so that Trustees can monitor and manage reserves effectively.

The target level of free reserves has been set as between four and six months’ expenditure based on the approved budget for the following 12 months.

The target for 31 December 2023 was set at a range of £237,538 to £356,307 in free reserves. At 31 December 2023, JCF held £139,868 in free reserves (2022: £121,848).

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STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

GOVERNING DOCUMENT

The Jo Cox Foundation is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 23 September 2016, and registered as a charity on 19 December 2016.

The company was established under a Memorandum and Articles of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, as amended by special resolution on 16 January 2018.

GOVERNANCE

The charity is governed by its Trustees. The Trustees also act as the members of the charity and its corporate Directors for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006. The Articles of Association outline the powers, responsibilities and decision-making processes of the Trustees.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF

TRUSTEES

The process for appointing Trustees to the Board of The Jo Cox Foundation is outlined in the Articles of Association, which specifies that any person who is willing to act as a Trustee and who would not be disqualified from acting may be appointed by a decision of the Trustees.

There is no requirement for how Trustees should be recruited, and this will normally be considered on a case-by-case basis as vacancies arise. It includes a combination of open recruitment and direct approaches to suitable candidates.

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TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING

Trustees are provided with a clear role description, outlining their statutory and additional responsibilities. New Trustees are provided with a thorough induction, including spending time with the CEO and Head of Ops and Finance. All Trustees are encouraged to take up relevant training and development to fulfil their role and responsibilities to the charity.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees must have a minimum number of three Trustees. The Board of Trustees appoint a Chair of Trustees and Treasurer from amongst themselves. The Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the charity and oversight of its work and finances.

The Board of Trustees has a Finance, Audit and Risk Subcommittee. This committee is responsible for providing detailed scrutiny of the Foundation’s finances, associated procedures and monitoring its risk. This committee is governed by Terms of Reference that were approved by the full Board and reports back to the Board after every meeting.

The Trustees delegate day-to-day responsibility for the provision of services to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring the secure financial management and administration of the charity. Effective management and supervision of the staff team is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.

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SUBSIDIARIES

The Foundation has a wholly owned subsidiary, The Jo Cox Foundation Trading Limited (company number 10660951), through which the Foundation channels any trading activities.

REMUNERATION OF KEY PERSONNEL

The key management personnel of the Foundation consists solely of the Chief Executive Officer. Her remuneration is set by the Board of Trustees, taking into account the charity's financial position and the amount paid for this role in comparable organisations.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The Foundation regularly undertakes a detailed review and assessment of risks, both financial and non-financial, to which it is exposed in its current activities. These have been developed into a formal Risk Management process.

The Trustees have considered a summary of all major risks and have ensured that effective systems and controls exist to reduce internal risks and respond swiftly to external risks and minimise their impact.

Risks are monitored continually by the management team and reviewed regularly by the Trustees unless there are issues that need the Trustees’ immediate attention.

The principal risk areas identified by the Trustees are:

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REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name The Jo Cox Foundation Charity Number 1170836 Company Number 10392667 (England and Wales) Registered Office Jo Cox House, 90 Commercial Street, Batley, WF17 5DS

Chief Executive Officer

Su Moore

Trustees and Directors

The Trustees who served during the year, or who served at the time that this report and financial statements were approved, and were also Directors of the company, were as follows:

Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson Eloise Todd Geethika Jayatilaka Rt Hon Jacqui Smith (resigned 6 July 2024) Jane Brady (resigned 15 May 2023) Jennie Richmond

Nisha Jani

Rosamund Blomfield-Smith

Samantha Vickers

Steve Morris

Bankers

Metro Bank Plc, 1 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA

Independent Examiner

Kevin Fisher, FCA Myrus Smith, Chartered Accountants Norman House, 8 Burnell Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4BW

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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ AND DIRECTORS’

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees, who are also Directors of The Jo Cox Foundation for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the 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 these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and which 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

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prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

Rosamund Blomfield-Smith, Interim Chair of Trustees

Date: 3 September 2024

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Jo Cox Foundation

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 28 to 48.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity Trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's statement

Since the company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a

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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.

Kevin Fisher, FCA

Date: 3 September 2024

For and on behalf of Myrus Smith Chartered Accountants

Norman House, 8 Burnell Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4BW

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted Restricted 2023 2022
Notes Funds Funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies 2 201,972 - 201,972 191,260
Charitable activities 3 - 455,231 455,231 432,996
Other income 4 27,524 - 27,524 5,259
──────── ──────── ─────── ───────
Total 229,496 455,231 684,727 629,515
──────── ──────── ─────── ───────
Expenditure
Raising funds 5 80,344 - 80,344 68,435
Charitable activities 6 96,825 471,745 568,570 523,054
──────── ──────── ─────── ───────
Total 177,169 471,745 648,914 591,489
──────── ──────── ─────── ───────
Net income / (expenditure) for the year 52,327 (16,514) 35,813 38,026
Transfer between funds 16 (70) 70 - -
──────── ──────── ─────── ───────
Net movement in funds 52,257 (16,444) 35,813 38,026
Total funds brought forward 16 121,848 140,793 262,641 224,615
──────── ──────── ──────── ───────
Total funds carried forward 16 174,105 124,349 298,454 262,641
════════ ════════ ════════ ════════

All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.

The notes on pages 32 to 48 form part of the financial statements.

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BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 11 3,184 3,188
Intangible assets 12 31,053 -
────── ──────
34,237 3,188
Current Assets
Debtors 13 16,883 29,179
Cash at bank and in hand 281,381 249,201
────── ──────
298,264 278,380
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year 14 34,047 18,927
────── ──────
Net Current Assets 264,217 259,453
────── ──────
Net Assets 15 298,454 £262,641
══════ ══════
Funds
Unrestricted 16 174,105 121,848
Restricted 16 124,349 140,793
────── ──────
16 298,454 262,641
══════ ══════

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The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the companies Act 2006.

The Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit and loss for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 3 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Rosamund Blomfield-Smith

Interim Chair of Trustees

The notes on pages 32 to 48 form part of the financial statements.

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movement in funds per statement of financial
activities 35,813 38,026
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 11 1,228 1,090
Amortisation charged 12 2,842 -
(Increase) / decrease in debtors 12,296 24,192
(Decrease) / increase in creditors 15,120 (50,268)
────────────
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 67,299 13,040
────────────
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets 11 (1,224) (3,058)
Purchase of intangible fixed assets 12 (33,895) -
────────────
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities (35,119) (3,058)
────────────
Change in cash at bank in the year 32,180 9,982
Cash at bank brought forward 249,201 239,219
────────────
Cash at bank carried forward 281,381 249,201
════════════

The notes on pages 32 to 48 form part of the financial statements.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Income recognition

Items of income are recognised in the financial statements when all of the following criteria are met:

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont'd)

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure includes those costs of a direct nature which can be allocated to a specific activity. It also includes indirect costs, including governance costs that do not relate to a specific activity but are necessary to support those activities. Support costs are apportioned to each activity on the basis of staff time or on a basis which is designed to reflect the use of the resources.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted general funds are freely available for use in furtherance of the objects of the charity and which have not been designated for particular purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which can only be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or which have been raised for a particular purpose.

Tangible fixed assets

All expenditure on capital items costing less than £100 is written off in the year of purchase.

Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost of each asset over its estimated useful life at the following annual rate:

Computer equipment 33% on straight line basis

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont'd)

Intangible fixed assets

All expenditure on capital items costing less than £1,000 is written off in the year of purchase.

Amortisation is provided so as to write off the cost of each asset over its estimated useful life at the following annual rate:

Website and database 20% on straight line basis

Leases

Operating lease rentals are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions

payable under the scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year to which they relate.

Debtors and creditors

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unrestricted Total Total
funds 2023 2022
£ £ £
Donations 123,236 123,236 176,260
Legacies 78,736 78,736 15,000
────── ────────────
201,972 201,972 191,260
══════ ════════════
All of the £191,260 recognised in 2022 related to unrestricted funds.
3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Restricted Total Total
funds 2023 2022
£ £ £
Stronger Communities:
Yorkshire Programme		 40,840 40,840 -
Moment to Movement project - - 260,348
More in Common Programme 154,533 154,533 40,000
Great Get Together 83,577 83,577 20,998
Connection Coalition 89,650 89,650 111,650
Respectful Politics 24,202 24,202 -
Core charitable activities 62,429 62,429 -
──────────── ──────
Grants and other income 455,231 455,231 432,996
══════ ══════ ══════

All of the £432,996 recognised in 2022 related to restricted funds.

35

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

4. OTHER INCOME

4. OTHER INCOME
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Jo Cox Way kit and subsistence 3,091 - 3,091 5,259
Jo Cox Way entry fees 18,497 - 18,497 -
Other income 5,936 - 5,936 -
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
27,524 - 27,524 5,259

5. COST OF RAISING FUNDS

Direct Support Total Total
costs costs 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Fundraising events and materials 33,882 - 33,882 26,362
Staff costs 34,279 11,653 45,932 41,619
Training costs 114 - 114 454
IT costs - 382 382 -
Stationery and postage - 34 34 -
────── ─────────────────
68,275 12069 80,344 68,435
══════ ═════════════════

All of the £68,435 expenditure recognised in 2022 was charged to unrestricted funds.

36

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

6. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Direct Support Total Total
costs costs 2023 2022
(note 7) (note 8)
Stronger Communities:
Yorkshire Programme 76,431 12,468 88,899 73,520
Moment to Movement project - - - 205,210
More in Common Programme 91,707 8,365 100,072 -
Great Get Together 102,844 9,213 112,057 -
Connection Coalition 69,406 6,372 75,778 49,456
Respectful Politics 46,411 4,130 50,541 27,673
Fairer World 11,392 1,013 12,405 8,303
Core charitable activities 92,641 36,177 129,436 158,892
────── ────── ────── ──────
490,832 77,738 569,188 523,054
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Of the £523,054 expenditure recognised in 2022, £94,130 was charged to unrestricted funds and £428,924 was charged to restricted funds.

37

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

7. ANALYSIS OF DIRECT COSTS

Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Staff salaries 390,769 378,742
Miscellaneous HR costs 1,190 1,373
Recruitment and training 3,206 5,721
Travel and subsistence 13,117 6,632
Consultancy - 10,738
Marketing and advertising 26,123 15,831
Websites and database 28,193 24,604
Project costs 21,704 24,949
Monitoring and Evaluation 6,530 8,510
Depreciation - 1,090
────────────
490,832 478,190
════════════

38

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

8. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS

8. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS
Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Staff salaries 46,613 -
Payroll costs 3,080 -
IT costs 4,639 4,576
Bank charges 515 761
Premises and related costs 11,500 26,469
Insurance 158 -
Depreciation 1,228 -
Amortisation 2,842
Governance costs (see note 9) 2,119 7,609
Stationery and postage 2,611 3,566
Telephone and internet 883 987
Subscriptions 1,550 896
────────────
77,738 44,864
════════════
9. GOVERNANCE COSTS
2023 2022
£ £
Independent Examination fees 1,878 4,248
Insurance - 2,790
Board costs 241 571
────────────
2,119 7,609
════════════

9. GOVERNANCE COSTS

39

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

10. STAFF COSTS

0. STAFF COSTS
2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 437,496 383,321
Social security costs 36,456 29,077
Pension costs 9,362 7,963
─────── ───────
483,314 420,361
═══════ ═══════

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:

Particulars of employees: 2023 2022
No. No.
Chief Executive 1 1
Administrative staff 4.5 4
Charitable activities 10.5 7
─────── ───────
16 12
═══════ ═══════

Total employee benefits received by key management, including employer’s pension costs, amounted to £76,676 (2022: £73,307).

Under FRS 102, employee benefits include gross salary, benefits in kind, employer’s national insurance and employer’s pension costs.

One employee received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) between £60,000 and £70,000 during the financial years 2023 (2022: 1).

No trustee received any remuneration during the year and previous year. No trustee (2022: 3) was reimbursed for their travel and subsistence during the year (2022 : £372).

40

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Computer
Equipment Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 January 2023 3,931 3,931
Additions 1,224 1,224
Disposals - -
────── ──────
At 31 December 2023 5,155 5,155
────── ──────
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023 743 743
Charged in the year 1,228 1,228
Eliminated on disposals - -
────── ──────
At 31 December 2023 1971 1971
────── ──────
Net book value
31 December 2023 3,184 3,184
══════ ══════
31 December 2022 3,188 3,188
══════ ══════

41

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

12. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Website &
Database Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 January 2023 - -
Additions 33,895 33,895
Disposals - -
────── ──────
At 31 December 2023 33,895 33,895
────── ──────
Amortisation
At 1 January 2023 - -
Charged in the year 2,842 2,842
Eliminated on disposals - -
────── ──────
At 31 December 2023 2,842 2,842
────── ──────
Net book value
31 December 2023 31,053 31,053
══════ ══════
31 December 2022 - -
══════ ══════

42

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

13. DEBTORS

13. DEBTORS
2023 2022
£ £
Trade debtors - 3,500
Prepayments and Accrued income 16,277 17,428
Other debtors 606 8,251
────── ──────
16,883 29,179
══════ ══════
14. CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Trade Creditors 3,976 2,386
Amounts owed to group undertakings 2,398 3,017
Accruals 16,400 13,524
Taxation and Social Security 9,321 -
Pensions 1,952 -
────── ──────
34,047 18,927
══════ ══════

43

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

15. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
2023 Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets - 34,237 - 34,237
Current assets 173,915 - 124,349 298,264
Current liabilities (34,047) - - (34,047)
────── ────── ────────────
Net assets at 31 December 2023 139,868 34,237 124,349 298,454
══════ ══════ ════════════
Comparative information for the previous financial year is as follows:
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
2022 Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Fixed assets 3,188 - - 3,188
Current assets 137,587 - 140,793 278,380
Current liabilities (18,927) - - (18,927)
────── ────── ────────────
Net assets at 31 December 2022 121,848 - 140,793 262,641
══════ ══════ ════════════

44

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

6. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1 At 31
January Income Expenditure Transfers December
2023 2023 2023
Restricted funds: £ £ £ £ £
Batley and Spen 5,000 16,100 (12,700) - 8,400
Esmee Fairbairn 6,345 4,000 (10,345) - -
Spirit of 2012 28,480 197,428 (225,908) - -
Astra Connection Coalition 100,968 89,650 (132,181) - 58,437
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust - 24,202 (21,151) - 3,051
Lottery: Bringing People Together - 99,103 (44,642) - 54,461
Leeds City Council - 24,748 (24,818) 70 0
────── ────── ────── ───── ──────
Total restricted funds 140,793 455,231 (471,745) 70 124,349
────── ────── ────── ───── ──────
Unrestricted funds:
General funds 121,848 229,496 (173,099) (38,377) 139,868
Fixed assets - - (4,070) 38,307 34,237
────── ────── ────── ───── ──────
Total unrestricted
funds 121,848 229,496 (177,169) (70) 174,105
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Total funds 262,641 684,727 (648,914) - 298,454
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

45

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (cont’d)

Comparative information for the previous financial year is as follows:

At 1 At 31
January Income Expenditure Transfers December
2022 2022 2022
Restricted funds: £ £ £ £ £
Batley and Spen 14,259 - (9,259) - 5,000
Esmee Fairbairn 15,744 40,000 (49,399) - 6,345
Spirit of 2012 (2) 260,348 (231,866) - 28,480
Innox Foundation 10,681 - (10,681) - -
Astra Connection Coalition 84,476 111,650 (95,158) - 100,968
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust 11,402 - (8,323) (3,079) -
DCMS 3,240 20,998 (24,238) - -
────── ────── ────── ───── ──────
Total restricted funds 139,800 432,996 (428,924) (3,079) 140,793
────── ────── ────── ───── ──────
Total unrestricted
funds 84,815 196,519 (162,565) 3,079 121,848
────── ────── ────── ────── ──────
Total funds 224,615 629,515 (591,489) - 262,641
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

46

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (cont’d)

Purpose of restricted funds

Restricted funds are money earmarked for activities stipulated by the funder and used for the objectives set by them. These funds are detailed here:

Batley and Spen Community projects delivered in Batley and Spen Esmee Fairbairn More in Common network Spirit of 2012 Moment to Movement project Innox Foundation Youth loneliness projects Astra Connection Coalition Connection Coalition Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (2022) Civility in Politics Awards DCMS Great Winter Get Together campaign Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (2023) Jo Cox Civility Commission Lottery: Bringing People Together More in Common partnerships project Leeds City Council Great Get Together/Migration Yorkshire collaboration

Designated funds

In 2023 the Trustees decided that the net book value of the fixed assets should be designated as it does not form part of the free reserves of the charity.

These assets are used to support charitable activities and are depreciated (tangible fixed assets) or amortised (intangible fixed assets) in accordance with the relevant accounting policies as laid out in note one on pages 33 and 34.

47

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (cont’d)

17. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

The total future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

are as follows:
2023 2022
Land and Land and
Buildings Buildings
£ £
Within one year 364 1,708
Within one to five years - -
────── ──────
364 1,708
══════ ══════

18. COMPANY STATUS

The Jo Cox Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. It is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. Each member is liable to contribute a sum not exceeding £1 in the event of the Company being wound up. The address of the registered office can be found in the Reference and Administration details on page 23.

19. TAXATION

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

20. CONTINGENT ASSETS

The amount of funding awarded to the charity but not recognised at 31 December 2023 was £399,409 (2022: £390,077).

48