## **THE JOHNSON SOCIETY:** **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **AND** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024** **Charity no: 1200987** ## **THE JOHNSON SOCIETY:** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** ## **AND** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024** ## **CONTENTS** |Legal and Administrative Information|2| |---|---| |Trustees’ Report|3| |Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts|6| |Statement of Financial Activities|7| |Balance Sheet|8| |Notes to the Financial Statements|9 - 10| 1 ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** ## **Status** The organisation is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation set up on 11 November 2022. ## **Trustees** The trustees are as follows: **Elected until 2025 AGM** Richard Davies David Leytham Martha Ross Smith **Elected until 2026 AGM** Marilyn Davies Rod Hannam Annette Rubery **Elected until 2027 AGM** David Arthur Phil Jones (Chairman) Colin Greatorex ## **Correspondence address** Richard Davies, 18 Cricket Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 8ER ## **Bankers** Lloyds TSB plc, Victoria Branch, London 2 ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024** The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. ## **Constitution** The Johnson Society is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) operated in accordance with the constitution dated 25 September 2022. It is run in accordance with the guidelines and directives as laid down by the Charity Commissioners. ## **Trustees** (As set out under the Charities Act 2011) 1. Trustees will all serve for a period of three years, after which they will retire from their role. They may choose to offer themselves for re-election as trustee for up to two further consecutive terms, after which they will step down for a year before seeking to serve again. 2. Three trustees will retire at each AGM, and the meeting will elect three trustees to serve for three years. 3. The trustees’ responsibility is for the general control and management of the administration of the charity. They are responsible for the proper and appropriate running of the charity, and for ensuring that it meets its obligations laid out in the terms of its constitution. 4. The trustees will appoint a managing body, the Johnson Council, which will carry out the day-to-day running of the Society. This body will include the trustees and other Society members. Paid-up members of the Johnson Society are entitled to stand for election as trustee at the AGM. ## **Aims and objectives of the charity** The Johnson Society has been in existence since 1910 and as a charitable body since 1995. The merging of the original charity with the new CIO was completed on 7 June 2023. The aims and objectives of the Johnson Society are to advance the education of the public in the life, works and times of Dr Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) by any means the charity trustees see fit, including: - Encouraging interest in, and study of, the writings, life and times of Samuel Johnson. - Supporting the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum in the City of Lichfield by helping to maintain and enhance its contents, and by working with the Johnson Birthplace Advisory Committee of Lichfield City Council. - Assisting in preserving physical memorials of Johnson and his contemporaries, including books, manuscripts, artefacts, buildings, statues and Johnson's Willow. - - - Participating in annual commemorations of Johnson's birthday. - Promoting knowledge of eighteenth-century history in general. 3 ## **Organisational structure and decision making** The trustees meet twice a year to review progress. The Johnson Council holds three meetings per year. All main decisions affecting the charity are made at these meetings. This includes policy decisions, main spending and strategic planning. The Chairman has the casting vote in the event of a tie. Urgent matters requiring Council approval outside these times may be communicated to Council Members by email and ratified by a simple majority vote. The Society treasurer has delegated powers to authorise routine financial transactions. ## **Risk Management** The risks facing the charity are recognised and actively monitored and the necessary steps are taken to lessen these risks. ## **Achievements** The CIO was set up in November 2022 and commenced active running of Society business on 1 May 2023 when the new bank account became available. The principal achievements for the year were as follows: 1. The support for a number of projects with a Johnsonian interest, these being: a. Assistance towards the refurbishment of a maquette of the Johnson statue in Lichfield Market Square held by King Edward VI School Lichfield. - b. Assistance towards the restoration of the ‘Johnson’s head’ bust in Bird Street, Lichfield. - c. The siting of a blue plaque commemorating Anna Seward. - d. Financial support for ‘The Portrait’, a new play about Johnson. - e. The successful propagation of cuttings of the Johnson Willow in the USA (Vassar college). 2. Delivering: - a. a series of lectures during the winter months on relevant topics, made available to a wider audience via Zoom; - b. the Society's keynote Annual Lecture on 2 March; - c. the Johnson Birthday Supper in September, featuring an Address by the Society's new President. 3. Helping Lichfield City Council to develop future plans for the Birthplace Museum and with other heritage projects. 4. Working with Lichfield District Council on the care and propagation of Johnson's Willow. 5. Publishing the Society's annual _Transactions_ , including reports of lectures and events, and original articles on Johnson and his age. ## **Financial review** The income and expenditure for the year and financial position of the charity are as shown in the annexed financial statements. The Society is still awaiting a final payment from the residue of the legacy which was made to it in 2022. The timing of the receipt and total to be received is uncertain as it involves the sale of property which is subject to a life interest. None of the Society’s funds is in deficit at the end of the financial year. 4 ## **Reserves policy** The trustees take an active and realistic approach to the management of our reserves, which accords with the regulatory frameworks in which we work and with good practice as laid down by the Charity Commission. The Society has adopted the following guidelines: 1. _Contingency funds_ : to meet unknown contingences and liabilities that may arise at some future date – 10%* 2. _Long_ - _term funds_ : to fund specific larger projects, in the medium to longer term, whose timing may not be predictable. The longer-term project currently envisaged, if the opportunity arises, is to assist the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum to expand, by contributing to the cost of acquiring adjacent premises. This would enable the Birthplace to display more of its collections, and to improve its facilities for visitors and researchers alike – 60% 3. _Short/medium-term funds_ : to fund ad hoc projects which are likely to arise more frequently than long-term projects, but which will generally be more modest in scope and spend level. As a general principle, the Society would aim to fund such projects in partnership with others, rather than meeting the full cost itself – 30%. * Irrespective of total funds, contingency funds should not fall below £20k. ## **Investment policy** Our current account with Lloyds plc is monitored on an ongoing basis. Balances that exceed our immediate cash requirements are placed in an interest-bearing deposit account. ## **ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES** PW Jones (Chairman) Date 5 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE JOHNSON SOCIETY ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024 SET OUT ON PAGES 7 TO 11 I report to the twstees on my examination of the a¢¢ounts of the above charity {'the Trust,) for the year ending 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are ￿spOnsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come lo my attention in connection wilh the examination which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 ofthe Act.. and the accounts do nol accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: lo 1015 Mr P Martin, Chartered Accountant 11 Church Road, Shenstone, Lichfield WS14 ONG THE JOHNSON SOCIETY CHARITY NUMBER 1200987 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2024 Un¥08trl¢tod Funds R6stri¢tsd Funds Totsl Fund8 2024 Totsl Fund$ 2023 Receipts: Receipts from Donors 3.111.38 0.00 3.111.38 2,688.57 Receipts from Organised Even¢s 2.978.53 435 00 3,411.53 5,029.14 Receipts from Tradiry & Tran58ction5 497.50 0.00 497.50 978.34 Receipts from Inve5trnents 10,005.58 0.00 10.005.58 9,141.17 Total Recelpts 16,590.99 435.00 17.025 99 18,194.08 Payments: Oonalions & Refund of Subscriptions 2.775.00 0.00 2.775.00 16,410.DO Cost of Orqanised events 4.239.28 0.00 4.239.28 5.103.50 Other P8ym•nts 10 1.553.31 0.00 1,553.31 1.503.43 Total Payments 13.545.85 0.00 13,545.85 25.139.21 Net RecelptsllP¥ymentsl 3.045 14 435.00 3,480.14 16,945.131 Gain5 1 IL055e51 on Inve5trnent5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Net Movemènt In Funds 3,045.14 435.00 3,480.14 16.945 131 Balances brougm forward at 1st Jan 2024 225.614.45 979.95 226,594.40 233,539.53 Balances Carrled Fonward 8t 31st Dec8mb8r 2024 228,659.59 1,414.95 230,074.54 226.594 40 Vnrostrictod Funds Ro8trlctgd Fundg Totsl Fund 2024 Tothi Funds 2023 Dlstrlbution of Funds The Johnson Society Friend5 of the Birthplace Peter Barrett Fund 228,659.59 0.00 0.00 228,659.59 000 339.95 1.075 00 1,414.95 228,659.59 339 95 1,075.00 230,074.54 225,614.45 339 95 640.00 226,594.40 Approved by the Trustees on 17[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by **R. A. Davies, Hon Treasurer.** 8 THE JOHNSON SOCIETY Notss to Accounts Unr•8trfetsd Fund$ R88trfeted Fund$ Toi•l Funds 2024 Total Fundg 2023 Note 1 - R8c8lpts from Dorbof5 Annual Suè8criptions Don8tion5 Legacy Friends of the Birthtyace 3.101.38 1000 000 0.00 3.111.38 0.00 0.00 ooo 0.00 0.00 3,101.38 10.00 0.00 0.00 3,111 38 2.636.57 50.00 ODO 2,686 57 Nots 2. Rocelpts Irom Oryanls8d Events Unre8tri¢tèd Funds Rè8tri¢t•d Funds Totsi Fund8 2024 Tolal Funds 2023 AGM Lectu￿ % Chair Ceremony Annual Supper Birthd8y Celebrations Lecture Series Peter BaTrett Fund Outings 000 0.00 2.819.41 0.00 157.12 O.OD O.DO 2 978.53 000 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 435 00 000 435.00 0.00 0.00 2.819.41 000 '.57 12 435.00 0.00 3.411.53 0.00 42.00 3,971.80 0.00 425.34 590.00 0.00 5,029.14 Note 3- Recolpts from Trdding & TranSa￿l￿n9 Unr•strlct•d Fund$ R•strfctsd Funds Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 198.49 414.21 367.64 978.34 Booklet5 & Leaflets Transaction$ Other Mer¢hanéise 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 442.50 55.00 497 50 442. 55.00 497.50 Note 4- Recelpts from Investments Unrestrlct¢d Fund¥ 10,005.58 10,005.58 Reitrfctsd Funds Total Fundi 2024 10.005 58 10.005.58 Total FunLts 2023 9 141.17 9 141.17 Interest Received 0.00 0.00 Note 5- Other Recelpts Llrbf•tstsict8d Rost￿etsd Fund¥ Total Funds 2024 Totsl 2023 358.85 0.01 358 86 Gift Aid Miscellaneous 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Not? 6- Dtsnatlons & Refund tsf Sub8crlptlon$ Unrogtrfctsd Funds Totsl Fund 2024 185.00 2.590.00 0.00 2 775.00 Total Fund8 2023 Funds Annual Subscriptions Donations Friends of the Birthplace 185.00 2.590 00 000 0.00 0.00 D.00 0.00 0.00 16.410.00 0.00 16.410 00 THE JOHNSON SOCIETY Notes to Accounts Note 7- cost of Organlsed events Unrestrict¢d Fund8 68.87 43190 3,284.96 273.65 000 179.90 0.00 4,239.28 Re¥tri¢t¢d Funds Totsl FLinds Tota5 FundB 2023 65.59 443.e6 3.725.90 451.55 0.00 416.80 0.00 5,103.50 2024 68.87 431.90 3,284.96 273.65 0.00 179.90 0.00 4,239.28 AGM Lectu￿ & Chair Ceremony Annual Supper Birthday C8lebratlOll5 Peter Barrett Lecbjre Lectu￿ Series Outing3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 O.DO 0.00 Note 8- Cost of Tradlng & Tran$actlon$ U￿reSt￿¢t•d Restrlctsd Fund• Totsl Funds 2024 95.00 4,883.28 Totsl Flind• 2023 Booklets & Leaflets Transaction5 Other Merchandise 95.00 4,883.26 0.00 4.978.26 1.827.00 295.28 2,122.28 0.00 4.978.26 Nots 9- Other Payments Unry•trict¢d Funds 20.00 75.00 71.27 0.00 Total F JndB 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 20.00 150.00 68.26 0.00 0.00 91.13 904 55 145.83 70.00 5366 1,503.43 Funds Allian￿ ol Literary Societies Subscription BALH Subscription Insurance Presidents Medallions Presidents Boar Other Printing & Stationery Postsge Web Site Zoom Expenses Misc81Saneous 20.00 75.00 71.27 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 22.49 1.089.90 189.65 80.00 5.00 1.553.31 22.49 1.089.90 189.85 eo.00 5.00 1.553.31 o.oo 0.00 0.00 0.00