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2023-06-30-accounts

THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

The Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 30 June 2023

Registered Charity No. 1195700

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

CONTENTS PAGE
Introducton 3
General reference and administratve informaton 3
Structure, Governance and Management 3
Objects and Actvites 3-4
Achievements and Performance 4-5
Financial Review 6
Reserves 6
Public Beneft 6
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilites 7
Independent Examiners Report 8
Statement of Financial Actvites 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the fnancial statements 11-13

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

INTRODUCTION

The Trustees present their annual report and the financial statements of The Arts Society South West London ("TASSWL") for the year ended 30 June 2023.

The Charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 2 September 2021. Prior year figures are therefore shown for the period 1 July 2021 to 1 September 2021 when the Society was not a charity and for the period 2 September 2021 to 30 June 2022 when the Society had been granted charitable status.

GENERAL REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name: The Arts Society South West London Registered Charity No.: 1195700 Principal Address: 187 Sheen Lane, London SW14 8LE Email Address: theartssocietyswlondon@gmail.com Website: www.theartssocietyswlondon.org.uk Bankers: HSBC UK, 67 George Street, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1HG Trustees Gill Grunwald (Chairman) Gwen Hewitt (Vice Chair) Kate Kirkland (Treasurer) Felicity Irlam (Secretary) Winefride Bolton Jane Crang Ruth Dover Lael Nelson Gillian Ennis (Resigned 14 November 2022) Caroline Walker (Resigned 14 November 2022)

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Charity is structured as a CIO (Association model) and its governing document is a CIO constitution. The Charity is governed and managed by a Board of Trustees who receive no payment for their service as Trustees. The Trustees are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Each year one-third of the trustees must resign, but they are eligible for re-election. The Arts Society South West London is an affiliate member of The Arts Society (‘TAS’). The Arts Society is the operating name of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies [NADFAS]).

OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

The objects of the Arts Society South West London are, for the public benefit,

(i) The promotion and advancement of the education of the public in the cultivation, appreciation and study of the decorative and fine arts.

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

(ii) The conservation and preservation of the artistic heritage of the United Kingdom & other countries.

(iii) The advancement of the arts, culture and heritage, in particular, but without limitation, the decorative and fine arts.

There are four principal activities that the charity undertakes in relation to these objects: holding lectures on relevant artistic topics; arranging study days to examine particular artistic matters; arranging visits to relevant sites that contain works of art; and making charitable donations to artistic projects.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

2022 saw the threat from Covid-19 variants recede and this allowed the Charity to begin a return to its normal level of activity.

The year began with a celebration of the 50[th] Anniversary of the formation of the original Society (SW London Decorative & Fine Arts Society) involving a reception and a lecture on the ‘Golden Age of Music In Venice’ at St Mary’s Church in Barnes. The venue was chosen, in part, to raise the profile of the Society in a different part of the catchment area. The Society invited not only its own members but also those of neighbouring societies as well as the general public. Special invitations were extended to Florian Schweizer (CEO of The Arts Society), Alison Watson (Vice-Chair of the Trustees of TAS) and Lady White, the Society’s Patron and Founding member. Over 130 people attended

There was a full return to monthly lectures at Putney Leisure Centre with all lectures (bar one) delivered as hybrids so that members and guests could choose to attend in person or to watch remotely using Zoom. Early in the year, the Society was fortunate to find an assistant to provide technical help with the equipment and this contributed to a more professional delivery of the lectures. One lecture was available on Zoom only since Putney Leisure Centre was closed for the Bank Holiday to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.

The Trustees have been heartened to see a gradual return of members to Putney and free entry tokens were given to members to encourage them to invite friends to attend without feeling the need to make a donation at the door. Recommendations by our members to their friends remains our best recruitment tool and the numbers attending the lectures in person at Putney have risen during the year from an average of 50 to nearer to 80. A significant number (30 plus) still choose to watch online and the Society intends to continue to offer this option to members and guests.

Apart from the 10 lectures, two whole day visits were organised for members; one, in July 2022, to Dorney Court and Dorneywood House (the latter is used by senior members of the Government and is only occasionally open to the public) and the other (in June 2023) to Kelmscott Manor and Buscot Park. Both were very popular and, like the more local visits, provide an opportunity for participants to tour venues with expert guides in the company of others with similar interests. The visits are open to non-members subject to spaces being available. The Trustees believe that the visits serve an important social function.

Post- Covid, there was a return to an almost full programme of short visits; these were made to the Mansion House (to view the building and the collection of Dutch paintings), The Royal College of Needlework at Hampton Court, the Royal Chelsea Hospital (with two groups being led by resident 4

THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

Chelsea pensioners), the College of Arms (an evening visit with refreshments) and a Behind-theScenes tour of the Royal Opera House. All the visits were well attended

In April, a Study Afternoon was held covering topics related to the annual tour which was to Northumbria in May 2023. The Study event brought in some non-members from local History Societies since the talks focused not only on the arts but also on the history of the region at the time of St Bede and St Cuthbert. This year, the Trustees experimented with an extra Study Day at the delightful Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge where two lectures were given in situ about the Museum itself and the history of its Founder. Although the latter was very enjoyable, it proved to be more costly for members because of the inherent travel costs.

The opportunities for members to take part as volunteers at various cultural venues has remained limited following the Covid restrictions but the Trustees hope to encourage more members to consider participating in these programmes.

The twelve months to 30 June 2023 was the first full year for the Society as a Charity. The Trustees again took advantage of The Arts Society Community Grant Scheme to apply for a grant of £250, this time on behalf of FiSH, an organisation based in Barnes. Using volunteers, FiSH supports the local community in a variety of ways. Our application was successful, and the grant was presented to the Arlene Coutts, the Director of FiSH, in February 2023. The funds are being used to buy materials for the ‘Picassos in the Park’ art programme designed for Dementia sufferers and their carers.

During the year, a system was set up to allow local organisations to apply to the Charity for a Grant. These are assessed twice a year. Application forms are now available on the website along with guidance about the criteria that are used to assess applications and, in June 2023, grants totalling £2,750 were awarded as follows:

The Society had 275 members on 1 July 2022 but a number did not renew their subscriptions at the end of the year, as is inevitable given the demographic of the members. Although some new members were recruited during the year, membership had fallen to 265 by 30 June 2023 but has crept up following the year-end. The Trustees believe that this upward trend will continue as the Society is promoted more actively. Advertisements in local e-newsletters are beginning to raise awareness in the local area and we have started to monitor how new members hear about us. As an experiment, fliers have been placed in the local libraries. The use of tokens for free entry to guests of members has already been mentioned.

Last year, the Trustees’ three aims were as follows and they will continue to be priorities for 2023/24:

  1. to rebuild membership numbers by promoting our activities more widely in the local area

  2. to encourage more members to return to face-to-face meetings

  3. to identify local arts projects that can be supported to benefit the wider community.

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

The Trustees feel that positive moves have been made on all three fronts but would now like to add a forth aim to the list as follows:

  1. to encourage more members to take part in heritage volunteering activities.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities is set out on page 8 and shows a net surplus for the period of £339. Income for the period amounted to £27,744 [In YE June 2022 £14,019 (charity) and £407 (Society)]. Expenditure amounted to £27,405 [In YE June 2022 £12,615 (charity) and £415 (Society)].

RESERVES

At the year end, the reserves were £17,350 with outgoings for the year of £27k. The outgoings were particularly high, reflecting an exceptional year that included not only the 50[th] Anniversary celebration marking the foundation of the original organisation (known then as SW London Decorative & Fine Arts Society) but also, by a quirk of dates, two Away Days when normally only one would be included.

The Trustees’ policy is to hold reserves that are enough to cover the operating costs for one year. However, The Arts Society (TAS), to which the Charity is affiliated, recommends that funds covering the normal outgoings of a 9 month period are sufficient. In the opinion of the Trustees, the reserves of £17k at the year-end are sufficient to meet the normal costs of the Charity and to allow its smooth running. They will however consider whether an amendment should be made to their Reserves Policy to bring it in line with that of TAS and other affiliated societies.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees give careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. They consider that the activities outlined in this report meet the public benefit requirement for charities.

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements 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 financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 29 September 2023.

Gill Grunwald (Chairman)

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ARTS SOCIETY SW LONDON

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Arts Society SW London (the Charity) for the year ended 30 June 2023

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘The Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

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

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

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

  3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Richard Wesley FCA-7447887 Independent Examiner

For and on behalf of Wesley Cooper Ltd Parker House 44 Stafford Road Wallington Surrey SM6 9AA

Date

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

—————————————————————————————————————————————

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Note Total Society CIO Total
YE 1.7.21 to 2.9.21 to YE
30.6.23 1.9.21 30.6.22 30.6.22
£ £ £
RECEIPTS (1b)
Members’ subscriptons 11,951 10 12,115 12,125
Donatons 689 5 265 270
Other income 14,707 392 1,389 1,781
Bank interest 147 0 0 0
Community Grant from TAS(RESTRICTED) 250 0 250 250
TOTAL RECEIPTS
 (2 27,744 407 14,019 14,426
PAYMENTS (1c)
Charitable actvites 18,930 415 6,181 6,596
Grants 2,750 0 750 750
Community Grant(RESTRICTED) 250 0 250 250
Support costs 5,475 0 5,434 5,434
TOTAL PAYMENTS (3) 27,405 415 12,615 13,030
NET INCOMING / (OUTGOING) RESOURCES 339
 (8) 1,404 1,396
Total funds brought forward at 1 July 2022 17,011 15,615
Total funds carried forward at 30 Jun 2023 (6) 17,350 - 17,011

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

Balance Sheet at 30 June

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
FIXED ASSETS
Equipment & accessories (1d) 965 1,200
at cost less depreciaton
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank 20,510 20,849
Cash in hand 40 67
Sundry Debtors and Prepayments (4) 2,192 3,232
CURRENT LIABILITIES (5)
Accrued expenses 410 89
Sundry Creditors 0 2,279
Annual subscriptons prepaid (Jul – Dec 2022) 5,947 5,969
NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) 17,350 17,011
TOTAL NET ASSETS (6) 17,350 17,011

Approved by the Trustees on 29 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Gill Grunwald (Chairman)

The notes on pages 11 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Going Concern: The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have concluded that there are no foreseeable events or conditions that might cast doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of the financial statements considering in particular the level of reserves held by the Charity and future financial plans and forecasts. The Trustees are assured that there are adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The Charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

2. INCOME

2.
INCOME
Note

Subscriptons
Visitor payments
Donatons from visitors (CORRECTED)
Other donatons
Visits
Study days
Gif Aid
50thAnniversary
Bank interest
Community Grant from TAS (RESTRICTED)
TOTAL INCOME
3. EXPENDITURE
Charitable actvites
Lecturers’ fees & expenses
Hire of Hall
Technical assistance & Wi-Fi costs
Zoom licence
Visits
Study days
Membership cards & newsleters
Refreshments
50thAnniversary
Grants
Community Grant(RESTRICTED)
Support costs
The Arts Society capitaton fee, fare pool, etc
Postage, statonery & computer services
Insurance
Bank charges
Miscellaneous
Accountancy
Depreciaton
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
4.
SUNDRY DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS
Annual capitaton fees & insurance prepaid
Other prepayments		 Total
Society
CIO
YE
1.7.21 to
2.9.21 to
30.6.23
1.9.21
30.6.22

£
£
£
11,951
10
12,115
0
5
0
279
0
176
410
0
89
8,838
392
241
1,056
0
1,148
1,840
0
0
2,973
0
0
147
0
0
250
0
250
27,744
407
14,019
3,607
365
3,070
1,289
50
809
483
0
0
120
0
115
8,385
0
456
856
0
858
768
0
717
500
0
156
2,922
0
0
2,750
0
750
250
0
250
4,031
0
3,978
509
0
779
157
0
180
68
0
43
115
0
218
360
0
0
235
0
236
27,405
415
12,615
2,192
0
 Total
YE
30.6.22
£
12,125
5
176
89
633
1,148
0
0
0
250
14,426
3,435
859
0
115
456
858
717
156
0
750
250
3,978
779
180
43
218
0
236
13,030
1,996
1,236

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THE ARTS SOCIETY SOUTH WEST LONDON

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2023

TOTAL
2,192
3,232
Note Total
Society
CIO
YE
1.7.21 to
2.9.21 to
30.6.23
1.9.21
30.6.22

5.
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
Accrued expenses 410
Income received in advance 0
Annual subscriptons received for the period July – December5,947

TOTAL6,357

6.
MOVEMENT OF RESERVES
Balance brought forward at beginning of year
17,011

Incoming resources for the year
27,744

Outgoing resources for the year
(27,405)

Balance carried forward
17,350
 Total
YE
30.6.22
89
2,279
5,969
8,337
15,615
14.426
(13,030)
17,011

7. TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES

No remuneration or expenses were paid to any trustee, or to any person known to be connected to them, during the year.

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