The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO
Report and Accounts
31 August 2023
Charity Registration Number 1173344
Contents
Reports
| Reports | Reports |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the | |
| charity, its trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees’ report | 2 |
| Independent auditor’s report | 18 |
| Accounts | |
| Statement of financial activities | 23 |
| Balance sheet | 24 |
| Statement of cash flows | 25 |
| Principal accounting policies | 26 |
| Notes to the accounts | 32 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers
| Trustees | Sister Anne Hogan |
|---|---|
| Sister Odile Mahé | |
| Sister Elizabeth McNiff | |
| General Councillor Delegate | Sister Dominique Guerin |
| Regional Bursar | Sister Odile Mahé |
| Administrative address | The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St Gildas) |
| 36 Dickenson Road | |
| Hornsey | |
| London | |
| N8 9ET | |
| Charity registration number | 1173344 |
| Auditor | Buzzacott LLP |
| 130 Wood Street | |
| London | |
| EC2V 6DL | |
| Principal bankers | The Royal Bank of Scotland plc |
| 49 Bishopsgate | |
| London | |
| EC2N 3AS | |
| Investment managers | Charles Stanley and Company Limited |
| 55 Bishopsgate | |
| London | |
| EC2N 3AS | |
| Solicitors | Pothecary Witham Weld |
| 84 Eccleston Square | |
| London | |
| SW1V 1PX |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 1
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
The trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO (the charity or the CIO) for the year to 31 August 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 26 to 31 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s constitution, applicable laws, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Introduction
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St Gildas) (the Congregation) is a Roman Catholic religious congregation supporting 293 sisters. It was founded in France in 1820 where its generalate is still located and it is divided into three Regions, a delegation and the Mother House.
The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the charity through which the activities and net assets of the Congregation in England have been administered since 1 September 2017. The charity is governed by a constitution dated 30 May 2017 and is registered under the Charities Act 2011 - Charity Registration No. 1173344.
Principal aims and mission
The general objects of the charity during the period were the advancement of the religious and other charitable work carried on by the Sisters of Christian Instruction (St Gildas). This included the maintenance and support of the sisters themselves.
By caring for individual members of the Congregation throughout their lives with the Congregation, the charity aims to enable and support the sisters to live out their faith and to put that faith into practice through a variety of religious and other charitable works.
When setting the objectives and planning the work of the charity for the period, and when encouraging the work of individual sisters, the trustees give careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The ministries of the sisters during the year fell into the following main areas:
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♦ Caring for members of the Congregation
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♦ Enabling and supporting members in a variety of religious and charitable works:
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 2
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Principal aims and mission (continued)
- Worship and prayer:
Members of the Congregation are given the opportunity for private worship and to continue to develop their knowledge and trust in Jesus and the Church through quiet prayer, study of the Gospel and spiritual development. In addition, members of the Congregation celebrate and pray with the wider community including people of all faiths and none. They do this through the provision of spiritual guidance or by just being available to listen in times of need, through the celebration of the Liturgy, prayer groups and church services.
- Social and pastoral work:
Some members of the Congregation are involved in a diverse range of social and pastoral work, including care of the elderly and people with special needs, family support and hospital visiting. The sisters aim to help, in particular, the poor and marginalised in society regardless of their personal background, faith, gender or individual circumstances.
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Overseas missionary work:
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Members of the Congregation work in health care, literacy work and primary evangelisation in West Africa.
Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies
As stated under principal aims and mission above, the aims of the charity during the period were to care for individual members of the Congregation throughout their lives with the Congregation and so enable and support them to live out their faith and to put that faith in to practice through a variety of religious and other charitable works.
Caring for members of the Congregation
The Congregation has an obligation, both moral and legal, to provide care for its members, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted a significant part of their lives to education. In common with many religious congregations, as the age profile of the members increases so too does the need to provide for the care of the sisters in the future. The age profile of the sisters who were in England during the year is shown graphically overleaf:
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 3
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)
Caring for members of the Congregation (continued)
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Age profile 2022/2023
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90+
Age
Number of sisters
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At present, most ageing or ailing members live as members of various communities, receiving the care they need from the sisters of the community, making use of local facilities. As a consequence, the trustees of the charity have given careful consideration to the impact of this on the work of individual members of the Congregation and the financial implications. Therefore, the objectives of the trustees of the charity include:
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♦ Ensuring all members of the Congregation receive the high level of care they require to provide them with the quality of life they have a right to expect;
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♦ Enabling all members of the Congregation to continue with their individual ministries, living in community houses for as long as possible; and
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♦ Reviewing the charity’s properties used as community houses and assessing their suitability as homes for the sisters.
Enabling and supporting members in a variety of religious and charitable works
The religious and charitable works of individual members of the Congregation can be divided into three principal areas: worship and prayer, the social and pastoral work of the sisters and support of overseas missionary work. Each of these is considered in turn.
Worship and prayer
The sisters are involved in a number of activities which include:
- Promoting the values and vision set out in the Gospel including the promotion of human dignity, teaching respect of different cultures and working for a society based on justice and peace.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO
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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)
Enabling and supporting members in a variety of religious and charitable works (con t inued)
Worship and prayer (continued)
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Giving members of the public from all walks of life the opportunity to escape the stresses of everyday life for a short time and take time for quiet contemplation and the chance to study and consider the Gospel.
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Providing religious instruction.
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Praying with those who are housebound, sick or dying.
Social and pastoral work
The charity enables and supports individual members of the Congregation in ministry and outreach work, thereby furthering the message set out in the Gospel to help one another and love one’s neighbour.
The following are examples of the social and pastoral work undertaken by individual sisters:
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Working in parishes, schools and the local community; visiting; helping in catechetical programmes; helping families in difficulty, the elderly and housebound.
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Religious formation for adults and children.
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Giving spiritual guidance.
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Working as volunteers in organisations concerned with the homeless and adults/children with learning difficulties.
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Opening the Congregation’s houses to the local community for meetings.
The objectives of the trustees of the charity included the following in respect to social and pastoral work:
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Enabling all members of the Congregation to carry out meaningful pastoral, social and educational work within the community after assessing their skills and the needs of the local area;
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Encouraging members to work with and assist the poor, elderly and marginalised; and
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Whenever possible, ensuring sisters are remunerated for such work by way of salary or stipend. Such income is donated to the charity. This ensures that the work of the sisters may continue and develop into the future.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 5
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Activities, specific objectives and relevant policies (continued)
Enabling and supporting members in a variety of religious and charitable works (con t inued)
Overseas missionary work
The Congregation’s missions in West Africa are now jointly financed by the English Delegation and the Congregation in France. The financial support of the charity has been used to meet the personal and living expenses of the sisters and their work: literacy, primary evangelisation, religious education, health care (primary health care) and the formation of young African girls aspiring to religious life.
The support enables the sisters to continue to care for some of the poorest and most marginalised in society – an objective which is consistent with the values set out in the Gospel. The individuals who benefit include those of all faiths and none and the help they receive can often mean the difference between life and death for them and their dependents.
Review of activities
The following paragraphs outline the main achievements during the period in each of the charity’s principal activities.
Care of members of the Congregation
During the year the charity assisted members of the Congregation in their charitable and religious work, enabling them to work and volunteer in their chosen ministry. During the year, following the closure of the Bray community in Ireland, the Barnet community welcomed the 2 sisters from Bray. In April they also welcomed the sisters who have to move back to London following the decision to close the Kingshurst community near Birmingham. The sisters continue to visit Sister Paula in the care home regularly.
Worship and prayer
At the end of September 2022 Sister Joan and Sister Anne Hogan travelled to France to celebrate with their group 60 years of religious life. They were joined by Sister Odile. The celebration took place in the Mother House on 24 September 2022 and it was a celebration of life, of thanksgiving for all the years of faithful service. In June it was the turn of Sister Maureen to go to France to celebrate, with her companions, 70 years of religious life. Three of the sisters managed to join her in France and to celebrate once again the sisters faithful service to the Congregation and the mission. While in France, some of the sisters availed themselves of a retreat.
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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Review of activities (continued)
Worship and prayer (continued)
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Jubilee celebrations
On Saturday 21 January 2023 the sisters met in Barnet with Sister Marie-Therese Superior General and Sister Dominique for a pre Chapter meeting due to take place in France in July. It gave each one the opportunity to exchange views, ask questions, and express desires and hopes for the future.
From 11 July to 30 July 2023 Sister Anne Hogan and Sister Odile Mahe took part in the 37[th] General Chapter of the congregation. The theme of the Chapter was “ I set you as watchman” After looking back over the last six years, the Chapter delegates were invited to look to the future with realism and hope. One important part was the election of the new leadership team. After a time of discernment, a new leader was chosen and for the first time two African sisters joined her as part of the team. The remaining time was shared between group work and general assemblies to elaborate on the work of the next six years so that we could be in the word of the Bishop of Nantes: “ presence in the Church, humble, discreet, witness of compassion, available to support anyone in need…”
Our new leadership Team
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The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO
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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Review of activities (continued)
Worship and prayer (continued)
On 30 July we celebrated the end of the Chapter with a eucharistic celebration with the official transfer of power between the new Superior General and the retiring one. This was followed by a festive gathering of those present.
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“I set you as watchman”
The Chapter document containing the final work of the Chapter will be officially handed to each sister during the coming year.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO
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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Review of activities (continued)
Social and pastoral work
On Saturday 25 March 2023 parishioners and friends joined the sisters in a celebration to say farewell to the sisters after a presence of over 50 years in Kingshurst, Birmingham. It was both a sad and joyful celebration of thanksgiving for the friendship, the support and the mission of the sisters but also of the many signs of community working together. Sister Dominique representing Sister Marie-Therese, superior general, came over from France to join and take part in the celebration.
Community House Kingshurst Stained glass window - St Anthony’s - Church Kingshurst showing our congregation badge
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Sister Ann O Sullivan continued to work as chaplain at MHA Charnwood House Coventry.
The community of Dickenson Road welcomes a small group of “St Gildas Family” friends to share and pray together, about once every six weeks.
Overseas missionary work
During this period, the charity continued to support the work and the personal and living costs of the sisters working in West Africa. This was done via the annual contribution to the Generalate.
For the first time the Chapter delegates elected two African sisters on the general team. One of them was trained by Sister Anne Hogan when she was in charge of the noviciate.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 9
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Review of activities (continued)
Volunteers
The members of the Congregation have gradually started again some of their activities assisting the poor and marginalised and those in need. The majority of members receive no financial reward for this work which contributes to the overall achievement of the CIO’s objectives. In addition, members are involved in administering the work of the Congregation and the CIO. Without their contribution neither would be able to function effectively.
Details of the areas in which members gave their time during the year are shown in the table below:
| elow: | |
|---|---|
| Area | Number of sisters |
| Parish work Hospital visiting Housebound visiting Working with other groups/organisations Administration Education |
3 1 2 3 2 1 |
Some sisters carry out voluntary work in more than one area as part of their mission and apostolate. Some activities had to stop or change because of health/age.
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Along with all other organisations which serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the charity serves. Where required under the terms of their ministries, sisters obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The trustees are committed to implementing all policies and procedures of The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). The trustees have been kept in touch by the new Religious Life Safeguarding Service to which they are members.
Donations and support of missionary work and ministry
Donations in support of the Congregation’s work overseas are decided on by the trustees in consultation with the Generalate of the Congregation. In the main, the charity has supported the work of the Congregation in overseas countries. Broadly, the policy is to give to the most needy areas.
During the period, the trustees continued to give financial support to charities approved by the trustees and whose work is consistent with the objects of the charity.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 10
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Financial report for the period
Results for the period
A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 23 of the attached accounts. During the year to 31 August 2023, income amounted to £265,813 (2022 – £237,908). Income for the year includes donations (including pensions receivable from members of the Congregation under Gift Aid or Deed of Covenant) of £167,137 (2022 –£150,831) and investment income and interest receivable of £98,676 (2022 – £85,977).
Expenditure totalled £387,345 (2022 – £316,957). Expenditure on maintaining the sisters and enabling them to carry out their work during the year amounted to £338,536 (2022 – £277,455). Charitable donations amounted to £29,108 (2022 - £19,952). The total donations given to the Generalate were £26,168 (2022 - £17,213).
Net expenditure for the year before investment losses was £121,532 (2022 – £79,049 before investment gains). Net investment losses for the year totalled £232,923 (2022 – net investment gains of £8,111). Therefore, the net movement on funds and net expenditure was £354,455 (2022 - £70,938)
Reserves policy and financial position
The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. The trustees consider that, given the nature of the charity’s work, the level of free reserves should be approximately equal to eighteen to twenty-four months’ ongoing expenditure. The trustees are of the opinion that this provides sufficient flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in income due to timing differences in income flows, adequate working capital to cover core costs, and will allow the charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies whilst specific action plans are implemented.
The balance sheet shows total reserves of £5,330,084 (2022 – £5,684,539). Of this, £1,754,693 (2022 – £1,790,354) represents the tangible fixed assets used to support the work of the sisters.
The retirement reserve of £3,400,000 (2022 – £3,400,000) consists of funds that the trustees have designated to provide for the sisters in their retirement. Though calculated using actuarial principles, the fund itself is limited to the resources available and is unlikely to be sufficient to support completely the needs of an ageing community of sisters, particularly if specialist care is required.
At the balance sheet date, free reserves amounted to £175,391 (2022 – £494,185). These free reserves are short of the figure required by the reserves policy above. However, subsequent to the year end the trustees have received a donation from Ireland of circa £422,000 following the sale of a property and, in addition, since the year end the charity’s own property in Birmingham has been placed on the market for £375,000. Therefore, the trustees are content with the reserves position at 31 August 2023 and believe that post year end the reserves policy will have been met.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 11
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Financial report for the period (continued)
Investment policy and performance
The charity had a portfolio of listed investments with a market value at the end of the period of £2,442,019 (2022 – £2,505,989). The portfolio achieved an income yield of 3.6% (2022 – 3.6%) and a capital yield of minus 9.29% (2022 – capital yield of plus 0.34%). At 31 August 2023, the investment managers were also holding cash awaiting investment of £101,472 (2022 – £90,779). The investments are managed by Charles Stanley and Company Limited, who operate within guidelines that are set and regularly reviewed by the trustees, who believe their investment policy remains appropriate.
The policy of the charity is to achieve a combination of income and capital growth within acceptable levels of risk.
There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest.
The performance of the portfolio and the investment strategy are reviewed by the trustees who meet with the investment manager at least once a year. The trustees are content that their policy will be achieved in the medium to long term.
Future plans
The trustees do not anticipate any significant change to the charity or its activities over the next two to five years. It is their intention to continue to meet the following objectives:
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♦ To continue to care for the sisters and enable them to carry out their pastoral work and ministry. Focus will continue to be given to assisting the poor and marginalised and reaching out to as many as possible.
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♦ To continue to remain focussed on the importance of worship and prayer to the lives of the individual sisters and to the overall mission of the charity.
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♦ To monitor the needs of the sisters as they grow older, and if necessary to adapt the charity’s plans in respect to property needs and the provision of care to elderly members. Following the closing of the Birmingham community the house has been put on the market.
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♦ To support the Congregation’s work in Africa in partnership with the Congregation’s Generalate.
Governance, structure and management
Governing document
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a Constitution agreed by the trustees on 30 May 2017 and registered with the Charity Commission on 9 June 2017.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 12
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Governance, structure and management (continued)
Liability of the member
If the CIO is wound up, the member of the CIO has no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
Governance
In terms of Canon law, the Congregation is governed at an international level by the Superior General and her General Council in Nantes, France. They are elected every six years at a General Chapter or meeting of delegates of all the regions of the Congregation.
Since the 2017 General Chapter, England and Ireland are now a delegation with a General Councillor having overall responsibility, assisted by a Delegate living in England who works in close collaboration with the General Councillor. After consultation with the sisters of the delegation, the Superior General names the Delegate with the consent of her council.
The Assistant Delegate communicates with the General Councillor responsible for the Delegation. Once or twice a year she meets with the Superior General and her Council to give an account of the progress and development of the ministries in which the sisters are engaged.
In terms of Civil Law, the charity is governed by a constitution dated 30 May 2017 and is registered under the Charities Act 2011 – Charity Registration No. 1173344. The trustees are appointed by the Superior General in her capacity as sole member of the CIO. As members of the Congregation, the trustees are aware of the work of the charity and of its structure. With the help of professional advisers, and through attendance at seminars, conferences etc, they update their knowledge of charity law and its requirements.
Trustees
The names of the trustees are set out within the reference and administrative details on page 1 of this report and accounts and brief biographical details on each of the trustees in office at 31 August 2023 are given below.
Sister Anne Hogan
Sister Anne joined the Congregation in 1962. She is a qualified teacher but her main involvements have been in the areas of formation and administration. She has been responsible for novices both here in the UK and also in Burkina Faso, West Africa. She served as Regional Superior for twelve years and then as General Councillor for six years. As Regional Superior she was a trustee of the charity. Presently, Sister Anne is Assistant Delegate for England and Ireland.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 13
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Governance, structure and management (continued)
Trustees (continued)
Sister Elizabeth McNiff
Sister Elizabeth joined the Congregation 57 years ago. After training in child care she worked in the Social Services departments for Haringey, Solihull and Birmingham (1971-1996), caring for disadvantaged young people, mainly adolescents in the residential setting. She has been bursar in the Birmingham Community and is now bursar of the Barnet Community and continues to be actively involved in Parish life supporting people in need as well as looking to the welfare of the Barnet community.
Sister Odile Mahé
Sister Odile is the Bursar for the Delegation with overall responsibility for the finances of the charity. She joined the Congregation 63 years ago and, after graduating and qualifying as a teacher, spent 20 years of her religious life in education. She was also Bursar of her community. Before taking up the post of Regional Bursar she did some further training in IT.
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period.
In preparing these accounts, 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 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
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♦ Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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♦ State whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
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♦ Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 14
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Governance, structure and management (continued)
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Key management personnel
The trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
All the trustees are members of the Congregation and, whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity, they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees or key management personnel.
Structure and management reporting
The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. They meet when necessary to review the activities, possible developments, make important decisions and to seek advice and support from professional advisers including solicitors, investment managers, accountants and property consultants. They delegate the day-to-day management of the activities, and the implementation of policies, to members of the Congregation.
At the end of August 2023, the Delegation of England comprised 11 sisters, The sisters live in two communities in London. The community houses are located in areas and parishes where their proximity to the people among whom they dwell, enables the sisters to respond most effectively to needs, either working alone, or in partnership with other organisations. As stated above, each community has a Leader appointed by the General Councillor Delegate.
St Gildas Schools in Yeovil and London, formerly the property of the Sisters of Christian Instruction (St Gildas), are administered by the Dioceses of Clifton and Westminster respectively. The sisters continue to maintain an interest in the life of the schools and support their work.
Fundraising policy
The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. The charity takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of professional fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the period, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 15
Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Governance, structure and management (continued)
Risk management
In line with the requirement for trustees to undertake a risk assessment exercise and report on the same in their annual report, the trustees have looked at the risks the Congregation currently faces and have reviewed the measures already in place to deal with them.
The trustees recognise their responsibility for the management of risks faced by the charity and the sisters. The areas identified for particular attention within the charity’s risk management strategy are:
Governance and management: looks at the risk of the Congregation, and hence the charity, suffering from a lack of direction, at the skills and training of its members, and the good use of its resources.
An analysis of the age profile of the sisters shows that the average age at 31 August 2023 was 83 years. The trustees are aware that there is both a moral and legal obligation to care for the sisters. None of the sisters have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and any other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant.
As the age profile increases, so too does the need to provide care for the sisters. Key elements of the management of this risk are: a) ensuring that the charity has the available financial resources to finance this care both now and in the future by setting aside assets in a designated fund, the value of which has been based on actuarial principles; and b) ensuring that processes are in place to review the ministries and needs of individual sisters encouraging those who need it to take on less demanding ministries and for identifying those who need extra care and help.
Operational: looks at the risks inherent in the activities of the charity, particularly pastoral care.
The trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all whom the charity serves. This means that all sisters who are in any kind of ministry have obtained clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The trustees are committed to implementing all policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA).
The charity does not work with children, but it does work with adults who may need help at particularly vulnerable moments in life.
Financial: looks at risks including those arising as a result of poor budgetary control, poor accounting and poor management of the investment portfolio.
The principal asset of the charity comprises listed investments, the value of which is dependent on movements in UK and world stock markets. The investments are managed by reputable investment managers who adhere to a policy agreed by the trustees. The trustees meet regularly with the investment managers and the manager’s performance and that of the portfolio are monitored. The investment strategy is assessed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate to the charity’s needs both now and in the future.
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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023
Governance, structure and management (continued)
Risk management (continued)
Reputational: looks at possible damage to the Congregation and hence the reputation of the charity.
Laws, regulations, external and environment: looks at the effect of government policies and the consequences of non-compliance with laws and regulations in so far as they are applicable to the Congregation’s activities.
Having assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, the trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, and by examining the operational and business risks faced, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.
Working with other organisations
The charity has worked closely with other charities and public bodies in the fields of social and pastoral care and education, including working with the vulnerable and the marginalised. One sister receives a salary, while the others work on a voluntary basis. In all cases, working together enables the sisters to be more effective and avoid duplication of effort in providing services to the people they serve. Examples of the organisations for which members have worked and with which the charity has co-operated during the period are as follows:
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♦ Roman Catholic Dioceses of Westminster and Birmingham;
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♦ Ascent Movement in Westminster and Birmingham;
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♦ Justice and Peace Link;
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♦ Churches Together;
Employees, volunteers and members of the Congregation
The members of the Congregation continue to give unsparing service and dedication to all the Congregation’s works and the trustees wish to record their appreciation.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
O. Mahé
Trustee
Approved by the trustees on: 28/02/24
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 17
Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023
Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Opinion
We have audited the accounts of Sisters of Christian Instruction (St Gildas) CIO (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. 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 accounts:
-
♦ give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2023 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 Charities Act 2011.
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 accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements, that are relevant to our audit of the accounts 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
In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 18
Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report and accounts, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts 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 accounts 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
♦ the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the accounts; or
-
♦ sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
-
♦ the accounts are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
♦ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts 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 accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 19
Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts 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 accounts.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
-
♦ The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
-
♦ We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with management and trustees and from our knowledge and experience of the charity sector;
-
♦ We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the accounts or the activities of the charity. These included but were not limited to the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019); and
-
♦ We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of the trustees and the review of minutes of meetings of the trustees.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
-
♦ Making enquiries of the trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud and their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
-
♦ Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 20
Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)
How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud (continued)
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
-
♦ Performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
-
♦ Tested and reviewed journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
-
♦ Carried out substantive testing of expenditure including the authorisation thereof;
-
♦ Gained an understanding of the processes in place for the management of the charity’s investments and confirmed the validity of investment movements; and
-
♦ Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
-
♦ Reviewing the minutes of meetings of trustees;
-
♦ Enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
-
♦ Agreeing accounts disclosures to underlying supporting documentation.
As a result of our procedures we did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 21
Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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 charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL
Date 28/02/24
Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 22
Statement of financial activities Year to 31 August 2023
| Notes | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| Income from: Donations and legacies 1 Investments and interest receivable 2 Other sources: . Miscellaneous income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds . Investment management costs Charitable activities . Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry 3 . Charitable donations 4 Total expenditure Net expenditure for the year before investment (losses) gains Net investment (losses) gains Net expenditure and net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Balances brought forward at 1 September 2022 14 Balances carried forward at 31 August 2023 |
167,137 98,676 — |
150,831 85,977 1,100 |
| 265,813 | 237,908 | |
| 19,701 338,536 29,108 |
19,550 277,455 19,952 |
|
| 387,345 | 316,957 | |
| (121,532) (232,923) |
(79,049) 8,111 |
|
| (354,455) 5,684,539 |
(70,938) 5,755,477 |
|
| 5,330,084 | 5,684,539 |
The statement of financial activities includes all recognised gains and losses recognised in the year.
All activities of the charity derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.
All of the charity’s funds were unrestricted in the above two financial periods.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 23
Balance sheet 31 August 2023
| Notes | 2023 £ |
2023 £ |
2022 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets Tangible assets 8 Investments 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total net assets The funds of the charity: Funds and reserves Unrestricted funds . Tangible fixed assets fund 12 . Designated funds 13 . General funds |
13,239 1,120,287 |
1,754,693 2,543,491 |
2,552 1,364,058 |
1,790,354 2,596,768 |
| 4,298,184 1,031,900 |
4,387,122 1,297,417 |
|||
| 1,133,526 (101,626) |
1,366,610 (69,193) |
|||
| 5,330,084 | 5,684,539 | |||
| 1,754,693 3,400,000 175,391 |
1,790,354 3,400,000 494,185 |
|||
| 5,330,084 | 5,684,539 |
Approved by and signed on behalf of the trustees:
O. Mahé
Trustee
Approved by the trustees on: 28/02/24
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 24
Statement of cash flows Year to 31 August 2023
| Notes | 2023 **£ ** |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in operating activities A Cash flows from investing activities: Investment income and interest received Proceeds from the disposal of investments Purchase of investments Proceeds from the disposal of tangible fixed assets Net cash used in investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2022 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2023 B |
**(161,911) ** | (125,595) |
97,786 131,822 (300,775) — |
85,731 66,633 (191,636) 1,400 |
|
| **(71,167) ** | (37,872) |
|
(233,078) 1,454,837 |
(163,467) 1,618,304 |
|
| 1,221,759 | 1,454,837 |
Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 August 2023
A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities
| Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charge Losses (gains) on investments Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets Investment income and interest receivable (Increase) decrease in debtors Increase in creditors Net cash used in operating activities |
2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| (354,455) 35,661 232,923 — (98,676) (9,797) 32,433 |
(70,938) 36,225 (8,111) 1,550 (85,977) 1,204 452 |
|
| (161,911) | (125,595) |
B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Analysis of cash and cash equivalents | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 September 2022 £ |
Cash flows £ |
At 31 August 2023 £ |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand Cash held by investment managers Total cash and cash equivalents |
1,364,058 90,779 |
(243,771) 10,693 |
1,120,287 101,472 |
| 1,454,837 | (233,078) | 1,221,759 |
No separate statement of changes in net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the movements in cash and cash equivalents and movement in net cash (debt).
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 25
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.
Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared for the year ended to 31 August 2023 with comparative information provided in respect to the year ended 31 August 2022.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.
The accounts 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.
The items in the accounts where such judgements and estimates have been made include:
-
♦ estimating the useful economic life of tangible fixed assets for the purpose of calculating the depreciation charge;
-
♦ determining the value of designated funds including the determination of the assumptions made in determining the value of the retirement reserve; and
-
♦ estimating future income and expenditure flows for the purpose of assessing going concern (see below).
Assessment of going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.
The trustees acknowledge and recognise potential impact of the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate on the charity and have concluded that there may continue to be some negative consequences as investment markets remain volatile, However, the trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 26
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
Assessment of going concern (continued)
The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts are detailed above.
With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 31 August 2024, the most significant areas that affect the carrying value of the assets held by the charity are the performance of the investment market. However, the trustees have considered the possible impact on the charity and have concluded that, although there may be some negative consequences, it is appropriate for the charity to continue to prepare its accounts on the going concern basis.
Income recognition
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Income comprises donations, legacies, investment income, interest receivable and income from other sources including the surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets.
Donations, including salaries and pensions of religious individuals received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.
Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.
Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution.
Investment income is recognised once the dividend or income has been declared and notification has been received of the amount due.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 27
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
Income recognition (continued)
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
Any surplus on the disposal of tangible fixed assets is calculated as the difference between the sale proceeds net of sale costs and the net book value of the asset immediately prior to disposal. It is accounted for once legal completion of the disposal has taken place.
All other income is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the charity and the revenue can be measured reliably. It is measured at fair value and accounted for on an accruals basis.
Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings. The majority of expenditure is directly attributable and any apportionment between headings is negligible.
Expenditure on raising funds includes the fees paid to investment managers in connection with the management of the listed investments.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities and includes:
-
Expenditure on the support of members of the Congregation and their ministry. Such expenditure enables the members to carry out the work of the charity in the areas of the advancement of the Roman Catholic faith, the advancement of education and the provision of social and pastoral work.
-
The provision of charitable donations relating, in the main, to the support of the Congregation’s own work and the support of other Roman Catholic charitable organisations. Charitable donations are made where the trustees believe there is a real need following a review of the details of each particular case and comprise single year payments rather than multi-year commitments. Donations are included in the statement of financial activities when approved for payment. Provision is made for any donations approved but unpaid at the end of the financial period.
All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 28
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
Support and governance costs
Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment.
Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.
All expenditure on support and governance is allocated to the charitable activities of care of members of the Congregation and enabling their ministry as any costs in relation to provision of donations or raising funds is considered to be minimal.
Tangible fixed assets
All assets costing more than £1,500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.
- ♦ Freehold land and buildings
Non-specialised buildings are those designed as, and used wholly or mainly for, private residential accommodation. They are stated at cost, or, in the case of older properties where cost is not available, at a trustees’ valuation made in 1996 based on market value for existing use. As permitted by FRS 102, with effect from 1 September 2014, the value assigned to those properties valued in 1996 is now deemed to be cost. Such buildings are not depreciated. Their value and condition are reviewed annually by the trustees, who are satisfied that their residual value is not materially less than their book value.
Specialised buildings comprise a large residential convent stated at cost. Depreciation is provided at 2% per annum on a straight-line basis to write the building off over its estimated useful economic life to the Congregation.
Freehold land is not depreciated.
-
♦ Motor vehicles and furniture, fittings and equipment
-
Expenditure on the purchase of motor vehicles and furniture, fittings and equipment is capitalised and depreciated over a four year period on a straight line basis.
Investments
Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.
The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 29
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
Investments (continued)
As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.
Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value is acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.
Debtors
Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.
Funds structure
General funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity’s objects.
The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets.
Designated funds comprise monies set aside out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects. Details of these are provided in note 13.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 30
Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023
Services provided by members of the Congregation
For the purposes of these accounts, no monetary value has been placed on administrative and other services provided by the members of the Congregation.
Operating leases
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 31
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
1 Income from: Donations and legacies
| Income from: Donations and legacies | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Salaries and pensions of individual religious received under deed of covenant or Gift Aid |
167,137 | 150,831 |
2 Income from: Investments and interest receivable
| Income from: Investments and interest receivable | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Income from listed investments United Kingdom . Equities . Fixed interest . Properties, infrastructure and renewable energy . Alternatives Overseas . Equities . Fixed interest . Properties, infrastructure and renewable energy . Alternatives Interest receivable Cash held by investment managers Bank interest |
35,724 7,744 21,501 5,146 14,639 710 1,650 1,612 |
36,000 8,121 19,047 4,221 14,180 855 1,650 1,476 |
| 88,726 995 8,955 |
85,550 — 427 |
|
| 98,676 | 85,977 |
3 Expenditure on: Support of members of the Congregation and their ministry
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Premises (excluding depreciation) | 65,017 | 106,287 |
| Sisters' living and personal expenses | 68,634 | 65,844 |
| Nursing home fees | 127,400 | 34,887 |
| Education, training and spiritual renewal | 15,874 | 11,388 |
| Depreciation and deficit on disposal of tangible fixed assets | 35,661 | 37,775 |
| Support costs | ||
| . Governance (professional fees) | 14,274 | 12,775 |
| . Other costs | 11,676 | 8,499 |
| 338,536 | 277,455 |
4 Expenditure on: Charitable donations
The donations payable during the year were to institutions and were for the following purposes:
| purposes: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Support of the Congregation’s work overseas Support of the Congregation’s Generalate Other donations of less than £1,000 each |
922 26,168 2,018 |
1,024 17,213 1,715 |
| 29,108 | 19,952 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 32
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
5 Net expenditure for the year before investment (losses) gains
This is stated after charging:
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Auditor’s remuneration, including VAT . Statutory audit services .. Current year .. Previous period Depreciation Deficit on disposal of tangible fixed assets Operating lease payments . Land and buildings . Office equipment |
13,609 665 35,661 — — 2,867 |
12,415 360 36,225 1,550 3,250 2,784 |
6 Staff costs, key management personnel and Trustees' remuneration
As members of the Congregation, the trustees’ living and personal expenses during the year were borne by the charity, but they received no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees or as members of key management during the year.
The charity did not have any employees during the year (2022 – none).
The trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis.
None of the trustees have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income has been donated to the charity. During the year, a total of £45,538 (2022 – £43,032) was donated by the trustees to the charity.
7 Taxation
The Sisters of the Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 33
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
8 Tangible fixed assets
| Freehold land and buildings |
Freehold land and buildings |
Motor vehicles £ |
Furniture, fittings and equipment £ 30,983 9,921 1,915 11,836 19,147 21,062 |
Total £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialised £ |
Non- specialised £ |
||||
| Cost or deemed cost At 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 Depreciation At 1 September 2022 Charge for the year At 31 August 2023 Net book values At 31 August 2023 At 31 August 2022 |
1,578,817 | 645,342 | 19,426 | 2,274,568 | |
| 457,037 31,576 |
— — |
17,256 2,170 |
484,214 35,661 |
||
| 488,613 | — | 19,426 | 519,875 | ||
| 1,090,204 | 645,342 | — | 1,754,693 | ||
| 1,121,780 | 645,342 | 2,170 | 1,790,354 |
It is likely that the open market values of certain of the charity’s land and buildings are materially greater than their book values. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.
9 Investments
| Investments | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Listed investments Fair (market) value at 1 September 2022 Additions at cost Disposals at book value (see below) Net unrealised investment (losses) gains Fair (market) value at 31 August 2023 Cash held by investment managers for re-investment Cost of listed investments at 31 August 2023 |
2,505,989 300,775 (129,510) (235,235) |
2,372,875 191,636 (62,505) 3,983 |
| 2,442,019 101,472 |
2,505,989 90,779 |
|
| 2,543,491 | 2,596,768 | |
| 2,057,496 | 1,856,417 |
Disposals at book value included above one made up of the following:
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Proceeds Realised gains |
131,822 (2,312) |
66,633 (4,128) |
| 129,510 | 62,505 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 34
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
9 Investments (continued)
Listed investments held at 31 August 2023 comprised the following:
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom . Equities . Fixed interest . Properties, infrastructure and renewable energy . Alternatives Overseas . Equities . Fixed interest . Properties, infrastructure and renewable energy . Alternatives |
866,001 232,505 348,917 224,580 601,501 55,223 26,760 86,532 |
909,729 171,294 485,038 252,226 487,924 65,418 34,480 99,880 |
| 2,442,019 | 2,505,989 |
At 31 August 2023 there were no individual holdings deemed material when compared with the overall portfolio valuation as at that date.
All listed investments were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange.
10 Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Investment income receivable Donations receivable (pensions of individual religious) Prepayments and other debtors |
1,194 10,138 1,907 |
304 — 2,248 |
| 13,239 | 2,552 |
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Amounts held on behalf of individual members of the Congregation Accruals Other creditors |
52,338 13,640 35,648 |
52,338 12,415 4,440 |
| 101,626 | 69,193 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 35
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
12 Tangible fixed assets fund
| Tangible fixed assets fund | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| At 1 September 2022 Net movement in the year At 31 August 2023 |
1,790,354 **(35,661) ** |
1,829,529 (39,175) |
| 1,754,693 | 1,790,354 |
The tangible fixed asset fund represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets. It has been identified separately in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are required for the charity’s work and are not available as a reserve to fund day to day activities or meet future contingencies.
13 Designated funds
The income funds of the charity include the following designated fund which had been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
| Retirement reserve: | 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|
| At 1 September 2022 Designated in the year At 31 August 2023 |
3,400,000 — |
3,400,000 — |
| 3,400,000 | 3,400,000 |
The retirement reserve is calculated using actuarial principles and was created in order to assist in providing for the sisters in their retirement. The amount designated is restricted to the resources available and is unlikely to be sufficient to support completely the needs of an ageing community of sisters, particularly if specialist care is required.
14 Analysis of net assets between funds
At 31 August 2023, the fund balances are represented by the following assets and liabilities:
| General fund £ |
Tangible fixed assets fund £ |
Designated funds £ |
Total 2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund balances at 31 August 2023 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Investments Net current assets Total net assets |
— — 175,391 |
1,754,693 — — |
— 2,543,491 856,509 |
1,754,693 2,543,491 1,031,900 |
| 175,391 | 1,754,693 | 3,400,000 | 5,330,084 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 36
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
14 Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
| General fund £ |
Tangible fixed assets fund £ |
Designated funds £ |
Total 2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund balances at 31 August 2022 are represented by: Tangible fixed assets Investments Net current assets Total net assets |
— — 494,185 |
1,790,354 — — |
— 2,596,768 803,232 |
1,790,354 2,596,768 1,297,417 |
| 494,185 | 1,790,354 | 3,400,000 | 5,684,539 |
The total unrealised gains at 31 August 2023 constitute revaluation of listed investments and the movements on the unrealised gains are as follows:
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Unrealised gains included above on listed investments Total unrealised gains at 31 August 2023 Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains Total unrealised gains at 1 September 2022 In respect to disposals in the year Net (losses) gains arising on revaluation in the year Total unrealisedgains at 31 August 2023 |
384,523 | 649,572 |
| 649,572 (29,814) (235,235) |
659,156 (13,567) 3,983 |
|
| 384,523 | 649,572 |
15 Operating leases
At 31 August 2023, the charity had total future commitments under non-cancellable operating leases in respect to certain assets as follows:
| Operating lease payments payable: | Equipment | Equipment | Land and | buildings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ |
2022 £ |
2023 £ |
2022 £ |
|
| Amounts due within one year Amounts due between two and five years |
2,880 7,920 |
3,112 10,800 |
— — |
3,250 — |
| 10,800 | 13,912 | — | 3,250 |
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 37
Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023
16 Post balance sheet events
Since the year end, the charity has placed its property situated in Birmingham on the market. The property has a net book value in these accounts of £13,000 and it is being marketed for sale at £375,000.
In addition, since the year end, the charity has received a donation from the Congregational charity in Ireland of £422,000 following the sale of a property by that charity. Sister Odile Mahé and Sister Anne Hogan are both trustees of the Congregational charity in Ireland.
17 Ultimate control and liability of the member
The Superior General of the Congregation for the time being shall automatically, by virtue of holding that office, be ex officio the sole member of the CIO. The sole member is responsible for the appointment of the trustees.
If the CIO is wound up, the member of the CIO has no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
18 Related party transactions
Other than the donations received from trustees disclosed in note 6 to these accounts and the post year end donation from the Congregational charity in Ireland, there are no related party transactions requiring disclosure (2022 – none).
The Sisters of Christian Instruction (St. Gildas) CIO 38