2025-06-30-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 11 April 2024 To 30 June 2025

Charity name: - Standing Committee of Analysts

Charity registration number: 1207801

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To advance the education of the public in general (and particularly amongst scientists and organisations safeguarding public health) on methods of sampling and analysis of waters and effluents, sewage sludges and biota for the evaluation of public health and risk and environmental impact associated with water quality by promoting research for the public benefit in all aspects of these subjects and publishing the useful results.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The organisation exists to research, validate, and publish methods for testing water and wastewater for the benefit of public health and protection of the environment. The methods are adopted by end users as a basis of in-house or regulatory methods. The SCA is managed by its trustees and management team, a group of seasoned scientists working in industry or regulation and together form the SCA Board. The Board oversee the formation and management of Working Groups formed specifically to research and publish a specific method or methods within a scientific specialism (e.g. Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Radiochemistry). The SCA publishes the resulting robust analytical methods as ‘Blue Books’. The benefit of the SCA is that testing laboratories have a respected source for a standardised regulatory-acceptable method that they can use as a basis for their own

Classification: BUSINESS

method without having to research or create their own methods. SCA methods are often prescribed by UK regulators. The wide adoption of standardised methods allows comparability between laboratories but also reassurance that laboratories are working to a satisfactory standard in the protection of public health and the environment. Six Blue Books have been published in the report period. These are: Biology Working Group: The Enumeration and Identification of Algae (Oct24) Radiochemistry Working Group: The Determination of Gross Alpha and Beta Radiation in Potable and Raw Waters by Rapid Screening Measurement with Gas Proportional Counting Detection. (Nov24) Organic Chemistry Working Group: Target and Suspect Screening of Polar Organic Compounds in Raw and Potable Waters by Liquid Chromatography - High Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry. (Jan25) Microbiology Working Group: Methods for the isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli (including E. coli O157:H7) (Nov24) This booklet contains four methods for the isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli (including verocytotoxigenic E. coli): The isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli by a chromogenic membrane filtration technique. The isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli by a multiple tube most probable number technique. The enumeration of Escherichia coli by a defined substrate most probable number technique. The enumeration of verocytotoxigenic E. coli, including Escherichia coli O157 by membrane filtration with a chromogenic detection medium.

Classification: BUSINESS

		Inorganic and physical methods, metals and metalloids Working Group: The determination of cyanide in waters and associated material using segmented flow with in-line UV digestion followed by gas diffusion amperometry. (Feb25) The Determination of Conductivity and pH in Raw, Potable and Wastewater. (Feb25) All participants in the Working Groups do so voluntarily, with their participation supported where necessary by the organisations they are employed by. Participation in Working Groups offers educational and developmental opportunities for contributors. The accounts reflect that there is no charity expenditure on employees. The Blue Books are made freely available on the SCA website and so available to potential users serving all applicable sectors, including water utilities, educational establishments teaching sciences, and organisations and establishments safeguarding public health. The expenditure of the SCA is therefore focussed on running and maintaining the website to ensure all the methods remain freely available. Interrogation of website statistics show typically 800 hits per month, typically to seek methods from the library.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	SCA provide analytical methods that are current and fit for purpose, and pertinent to evolving regulatory requirements, which in turn are driven by developing instrument analytical capabilities and public concerns. SCA work closely with the UK water industry and its regulators (Drinking Water Inspectorate. Environment Agency, United Kingdom Accreditation Service), and many SCA methods are prescribed by the regulators, i.e. water laboratories must use these methods for regulated

Classification: BUSINESS

testing. The SCA trustees and management board are drawn from UK regulators and senior water and environmental scientists and understand their responsibilities to deliver public benefit and are focussed on ensuring that the methods developed are relevant and beneficial to subsequent adopters. The public duty extends to ensuring that there is charity income and resource to maintain the Blue Book library freely available via the SCA website. – Library Standing Commitee of Analysts

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The SCA has not made any grants in the reporting period.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	n/a
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	All participants in the work of the SCA do so voluntarily. A collaboration of around 120 scientists drawn from the water industry, utility and commercial analytical laboratories, environmental companies, and regulatory bodies have contributed to the publication of six Blue Books in this reporting period. Researching, testing, and publishing new methods requires considerable tenacity and effort. The participation of volunteers, and access to analytical resources, are typically supported by the organisations they are employed by and SCA remain grateful for their continued support.
Other

Classification: BUSINESS

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The SCA has published six Blue Books in this reporting period, itemised above. These books will all become the standard regulatory methods for UK laboratories providing testing in support of operator self- monitoring for all the UK water supply companies and sewage treatment companies reporting to DWI and Environment Agency (and regional equivalents). The methods will play an essential role in ensuring reliable analysis of samples taken to ensure public health through the supply of wholesome drinking water, and samples taken to ensure environmental protection compliance. Although intended for a UK audience the protection standards that apply to the UK water supply and environmental discharges are broadly international so the methods have a wider benefit, particularly in areas where they may not have resource to develop their own methods.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Classification: BUSINESS

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The principal source of income was donations, supplemented by interest on investments. The donation income has covered the web hosting fees for the SCA Blue Book library website for this year, as well as accountancy fees and other expenses, with modest excess. The donation income has allowed the charity to operate without impacting on its reserves, but has not significantly increased the CIO’s cash funds.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The SCA policy is to hold a reserve. The charity is dependent on donations and has no predictable or regular income. The reserve ensures the costs of maintaining the website and the freely available library of methods can continue.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£2500
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	The charity has reserves and has no immediate concerns about continuing.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Donations
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46

Classification: BUSINESS

Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution based on CC Foundation model
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The members of the CIO shall be its charity trustees. The only persons eligible to be members of the CIO are its charity trustees. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of five years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The SCA is managed by its trustees and management team. This group consists of seasoned scientists working in industry or regulation and together form the SCA Board. The Board oversee the formation, management, and publications of Working Groups formed specifically to research and publish a specific method or methods within a scientific specialism (e.g. Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology etc). The Working

Classification: BUSINESS

		Groups (WG) are dedicated to method development and do not have delegated powers from the trustees. WG have a constitution with a chair and secretary organising and recording meetings. WG meetings are convened at a frequency appropriate to the work being done, and meetings are typically of industry practitioners (bench scientists and team leaders) who are able to develop and test methods in their place of work on a voluntary basis with the support of their organisations. Progress reports and completed methods are submitted to the Board at periodic Board meetings, and feedback is provided. Completed methods are published as Blue Books on the SCA website and freely shared.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Standing Committee of Analysts
Other name the charity uses	SCA
Registered charity number	1207801
Charity’s principal address	Standing Committee of Analysts The Summit Woodwater Park Pynes Hill Exeter EX2 5WS

Classification: BUSINESS

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Ian Barnabas			Trustees appointed by a resoluton passed at a properly convened meetng of the charity trustees.
	Paul Greenwood
	Shaun Jones	Treasurer
	Tim White	Chair
	John Watson	Charity contact

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name n/a

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

Classification: BUSINESS

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

n/a

Other optional information

Classification: BUSINESS

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) John Watson Shaun Jones Position (eg Secretary, Charity contact Treasurer Chair, etc)

Date 27 April 2026

Classification: BUSINESS

Standing Committee of Analysts

1207801

Receipts and payments accounts For the period 11.04.2024 To from

11.04.2024 30.06.2025 To

----- Start of picture text -----
CC16a
----- End of picture text -----

Section A Receipts and payments

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations 1,500 - - 1,500 -
Bank Interest (Savings 1) 36 - - 36 -
Bank Interest (Savings 2) 400 - - 400 -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) 1,936 - - 1,936 -
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
No Asset Sales - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 1,936 - - 1,936 -
A3 Payments
Accountancy 386 - - 386 -
Website Hosting 679 - - 679 -
Trustee Expenses 196 - - 196 -
Sub total [ 1,260 ] - - 1,260 -
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see
table)
No Asset Purchases - - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 1,260 - - 1,260 -
Net of receipts/(payments) 676 - - 676 -
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 12,159 - - 12,159 -
Cash funds this year end 12,835 - - 12,835 -
----- End of picture text -----

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories ry assets ssets ed for the charity’s own trustees on behalf of all the Treasurer )	Signature No monies owed Current Account (01.07.2025) Reserve Account (30.06.2025) Notice Account (30.06.2025) Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) No other monetary assets Details Donated Toshiba Laptop Details No Investment assets Details	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 1,147 - 2,174 - 9,514 - 12,835 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 250 - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - Print Name Shaun Jones	Endowment funds to nearest £ - - -
			-
			OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £ - Current value (optional) - Current value (optional) - When due (optional) Date of approval 19.04.2026

B1 Cash funds

B2 Other monetary assets

B3 Investment assets

B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own

B5 Liabilities

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)