## **Horizon Scandal Fund (Charity Number 1199595)**
## **Trustees report for the year ending 30 November 2024**
## _**Background**_
The Horizon Scandal Fund (“HSF”) was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 12 November 2021 (Company number: 13739654; Registered address: 27 Charmouth Road, Bath, BA1 3LJ).
HSF was recognised as a charity in England and Wales in July 2022 (Registered address: 27 Charmouth Road, Bath, BA1 3LJ) and the trustees are indebted to Ian Fagelson who worked pro bono in helping to get the charity up and running.
The aim of the charity is that which is set out in article 2.1 of the Articles of Association:
_(a) the relief or prevention of hardship, poverty, sickness and distress among those people who have suffered and been affected as a result of problems with the Post Office’s computer accounting system commonly known as Horizon, in its Legacy Horizon, Horizon Online or HNG-X versions; and_
_(b) The relief of poverty among persons who have worked (whether on an employed or self-employed basis) at Post Office counters and their families.’_
## _**Trustees**_
The charity has 8 trustees:
David Chaplin (Chair)
Helen Lacey
Nick Wallis
Nicola Wallis
Helen Baker
Sandra Tizzard
Varchasanraj Patel
Eleanor Shaikh
The board meets every 5 to 6 weeks to discuss ongoing or new applications, fundraising and administrative issues.
## _**How the charity recruits trustees**_
The current board consists of individuals who have an interest in the plight of the subpostmasters and understand the pressure they are under while awaiting redress. There are no plans to recruit more trustees.
## _**Volunteers**_
1
Jamie Price designed the logo for the website and the t-shirts two trustees wore for the Bath Half Marathon.
Hilary Strong is the first point of contact for applicants to the charity and she undertakes the initial due diligence exercise before reporting back to the trustees for them to make their decision.
## _**Patron**_
The board is delighted that Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom agreed to be patron of HSF on 18 November 2022.
_**HSF website**_ (www.horizonscandalfund.org)
The website was launched in November 2021 and it includes a page where members of the public can donate money (through donorbox – see below). It also includes details of trustees, administrative information such as company and charity numbers and contact details as well as relevant news.
## _**Donations**_
_The Great_ Donations have been received through two main channels: a percentage of revenue from _Post Office Scandal_ book, written by Nick Wallis and published by Bath Publishing Ltd, and from private individuals. A significant number of donations were received in the months following the ITV drama _Mr Bates v The Post Office_ .
We are also very grateful to Pentabus who produced and performed _Make Good: The Musical_ where a proportion of the receipts were donated to the charity.
During the year ending 30 November 2024, the charity received £108,000 in donations (plus £15,000 in Gift Aid claims).
Individuals can donate in several ways:
- By cheque
- By donating a one-off amount via the HSF website (with an option to download a form so HSF can claim Gift Aid on the donation)
- By using donorbox which is also accessed on the HSF website. This facility allows individuals to donate a one-off amount or to set up a monthly direct debit. It also allows for Gift Aid to be claimed if the individual indicates accordingly.
## _**Grant funding**_
HSF has a grant funding policy in place which sets out the criteria for granting funds to applicants. All the trustees agreed that the application process should be as simple as possible, bearing in mind that applicants have had to complete various applications for compensation already and should not be forced into more onerous and potentially traumatic applications. Hilary Strong (volunteer) and the trustees have therefore considered applications by email, letter and through the website. Each application has been judged on its merit and to date, all trustees have been unanimous in their decision making.
## _**Grants made**_
During the year ending 30 November 2024, the charity disbursed £115,000 in total to more than 40 applicants.
2
The grants have been for a variety of needs, including:
- Short breaks for victims.
- Hardship grants (including paying rent, bills and a business debt that was subject to a CCJ).
- Arranging and paying for counselling for victims and family members.
- Urgent dental treatment.
## _**Subpostmasters’ get-togethers**_
Subpostmasters have often described feeling very isolated and expressed a wish to meet up with others in a similar situation. We arranged a meetup in London on 18 July 2024 and over 50 subpostmasters and their family joined us for some much needed chat and laughter. Many subpostmasters found attending the Horizon IT Inquiry very therapeutic but now that has finished, the charity is keen to organise more events.
##
Nick Wallis has indicated his reluctance to take part in voting when considering applications for funding as he does other journalistic work regarding the scandal and does not want to be conflicted. Nick therefore has no vote when deciding the success or otherwise of the applications.
## _**The future**_
Moving forward the trustees are looking to promote further awareness of the charity, to encourage not only donations but to reach victims that have not so far reached out for assistance and recompense, as well as those who are continuing to suffer whilst waiting for full, fair and final redress - a process that is taking an exceptionally long time to bring an acceptable result.
3
Registered number: 13739654
## **HORIZON SCANDAL FUND DIRECTORS' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024**
KFS Accountants Limited Elcot Park Elcot Mews Elcot Lane Marlborough SN8 2BG
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Contents**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Company Information|1|
|Directors' Report|2|
|Accountant's Report|3|
|Income and Expenditure Account|4|
|Balance Sheet|5|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|6|
|The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:||
|Detailed Income and Expenditure Account|7|
**Horizon Scandal Fund Company Information For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
|**Directors**|Mr David Chaplin|
|---|---|
||Ms Helen Lacey|
||Mrs Nicola Wallis|
||Mr Nicholas Wallis|
||Ms Helen Baker|
||Mr Varchasanraj Patel|
||Mrs Sandra Tizzard|
||Mrs Eleanor Shaikh|
|**Company Number**|13739654|
|**Registered Office**|27 Charmouth Road|
||Bath|
||BA1 3LJ|
|**Accountants**|KFS Accountants Limited|
||Elcot Park Elcot Mews|
||Elcot Lane|
||Marlborough|
||SN8 2BG|
|Charity Commission No: 1199595||
Page 1
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Company No. 13739654 Directors' Report For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2024.
## **Directors**
The directors who held office during the year were as follows:
Mr David Chaplin
Ms Helen Lacey Mrs Nicola Wallis Mr Nicholas Wallis
Ms Helen Baker
Mr Varchasanraj Patel
Mrs Sandra Tizzard
Mrs Eleanor Shaikh
## **Statement of Directors' Responsibilities**
The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing the financial statements the directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Small Company Rules**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On behalf of the board
Ms Helen Lacey
Director Date
Page 2
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Accountant's Report For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
## **Report of the Accountant to the directors of Horizon Scandal Fund**
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with our terms of engagement and in order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Acts that relate to preparing the financial statements of the company for the year ended 30 November 2024.
We have prepared these financial statements based on the accounting records, information and explanations provided by you. We do not express any opinion on the financial statements.
On the Balance Sheet you have acknowledged your duties under the prevailing Companies Acts to ensure that the company keeps adequate accounting records and prepares financial statements that give “a true and fair view”.
You have determined that the company is exempt from the statutory requirement for an audit for this accounting year. Therefore, the financial statements are unaudited.
The financial statements are provided exclusively to the director for the limited purpose mentioned above, and may not be used or relied upon for any other purpose or by any other person, and we shall not be liable for any other usage or reliance.
Date
KFS Accountants Limited Elcot Park Elcot Mews Elcot Lane Marlborough SN8 2BG
Page 3
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
|**Notes**
**TURNOVER**
Cost of sales
**GROSS (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS**
Administrative expenses
**OPERATING (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS AND (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR**
**THE FINANCIAL YEAR**|**2024**
**£**
108,830
(115,029)
(6,199)
(1,561)
(7,760)|**2023**
**£**
42,769
(34,090)|
|---|---|---|
|||8,679
(1,863)|
|||6,816|
The notes on page 6 form part of these financial statements.
Page 4
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Balance Sheet As At 30 November 2024**
|**Notes**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
**4**
Cash at bank and in hand
**NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES)**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
Income and Expenditure Account
**MEMBERS' FUNDS**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171|**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171
19,171|**2023**
**£**
**£**
58
26,873
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931|**2023**
**£**
**£**
58
26,873
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931
26,931|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||19,171||26,931||
|||19,171||26,931|
|||19,171||26,931|
|||19,171||26,931|
|||19,171||26,931|
For the year ending 30 November 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
On behalf of the board
Ms Helen Lacey
Director Date
The notes on page 6 form part of these financial statements.
Page 5
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
## 1. **General Information**
Horizon Scandal Fund is a private company, limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, registered number 13739654. The registered office is 27 Charmouth Road, Bath, BA1 3LJ.
## 2. **Accounting Policies**
## 2.1. **Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 section 1A Small Entities "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006.
## 2.2. **Turnover**
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Turnover includes revenue earned from the sale of goods and from the rendering of services. Turnover is reduced for estimated customer returns, rebates and other similar allowances.
## **Sale of goods**
Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods has transferred to the buyer. This is usually at the point that the customer has signed for the delivery of the goods.
## **Rendering of services**
Turnover from the rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract. The stage of completion of a contract is measured by comparing the costs incurred for work performed to date to the total estimated contract costs. Turnover is only recognised to the extent of recoverable expenses when the outcome of a contract cannot be estimated reliably.
## 3. **Average Number of Employees**
Average number of employees, including directors, during the year was: 8 (2023: 8)
## 4. **Debtors**
|.
**Debtors**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**||**2023**||
||**£**||**£**||
|**Due within one year**|||||
|Other debtors||-||58|
## 5. **Share Capital**
Page 6
## **Horizon Scandal Fund Detailed Income and Expenditure Account For The Year Ended 30 November 2024**
|**TURNOVER**
The Erskine Hill Donations
Bath Publishing Donations
Other Donations
HMRC Donations
Charity Aid Foundation
**COST OF SALES**
Grant recipients
**GROSS (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS**
**Administrative Expenses**
Web hosting fee
Accountancy fees
Subscriptions
Bank charges
**OPERATING (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS AND (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR**
**THE FINANCIAL YEAR**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
6,984
97,911
-
3,935
108,830
115,029
(115,029)
(6,199)
557
847
35
122
(1,561)
(7,760)|**2024**
**£**
**£**
-
6,984
97,911
-
3,935
108,830
115,029
(115,029)
(6,199)
557
847
35
122
(1,561)
(7,760)|**2023**
**£**
**£**
725
1,220
30,084
5,865
4,875
42,769
34,090
(34,090)
8,679
-
1,761
40
62
(1,863)
6,816|**2023**
**£**
**£**
725
1,220
30,084
5,865
4,875
42,769
34,090
(34,090)
8,679
-
1,761
40
62
(1,863)
6,816|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||108,830
(115,029)||42,769
(34,090)|
||557
847
35
122||-
1,761
40
62||
|||(6,199)
(1,561)||8,679
(1,863)|
||||||
|||(7,760)||6,816|
Page 7
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees** Horizon Scandal Fund **On accounts for the year** 30[th] November 2024 **Charity no** 1199595 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/11/2024.
**Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
**Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of 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.
* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**Signed: Name:** Emma Goodwin FMAAT **Relevant professional** AAT **qualification(s) or body** Registration No: 20055491 **(if any): Address:** Elcot Park, Elcot Lane, Marlborough, SN8 2BG
**Date:** 12/05/2025
**Oct 2018**
1
**IER**
## **Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
No matters of concern.
**Oct 2018**
2
**IER**