Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 June 2020 Period start date To 31 May 2021 Period end date
Charity name: The London Society
Charity registration number: 206270
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Charity's object is "stimulating wider concern for the beauty of the capital city, for the preservation of its charms and for the careful consideration for its development". |
| 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 |
In pursuance of its objectives the Society undertakes, inter alia, the following activities:- • Organises a programme of events including, lectures and discussions, visits walks and tours, and social and networking occasions. • Produces and publishes papers and discussion documents on a variety of subjects relevant to London’s development and quality of life. • Produces, publishes and distributes the Journal of The London Society as part of membership benefits. • Keeps a watching brief on major planning and development issues and encourages constructive involvement in, and discussion thereon, among membership and the public at large. • Issues regular newsletters and bulletins to membership and those on the Society’s mailing list covering coming events and other current topics. • Maintains liaison with London’s local amenity associations through membership of London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies. • Advises the APPG on London Planning and Built Environment |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance and are confident that they comply. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
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 | During the past year the Society has:- • Continued with its financial goals to stabilise finances, producing a small surplus • Successfully moved its events’ programme online, with significantly increased reach for its activities. • Expanded its online publishing programme, with many new blog posts. • Acted as sponsors of an All Party Parliamentary Group on London’s Planning and Built Environment • Increased the visibility of the Society through presence on social media and the growth of the Society’s email marketing list • Published a well-received edition of the Society_Journal_ • Published a collection of essays, ‘When This is All Over’, with a range of commentators giving their views on the London that should emerge after the pandemic. • The annual Banister Fletcher lecture in 2020 was given (online) by writer and broadcaster Robert Elms. |
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 |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | During the year to 31st December 2020 the Society had an income of £56,069 (£66,581 in 2019) and an expenditure of £51,592 (£64,018 in 2019) giving net surplus of £4,477 (£2,563 in 2018). Reduced income and expenditure were as a result of lockdown – we could not run major ticketed events during the period. Online events were initially free, and then at a lower price than ‘in person’ events. Our part-time administrator position was redundant at the end of 2020. We expect to have another surplus in 2021, with new corporate supporters being actively recruited. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Trustees believe that the Society needs a significant level of reserves in order to finance plans to develop its range of activities and raise its profile. Central to this is the need to increase membership to a level that renders the Society financially viable, and to reduce the per capita level of costs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The Society's reserves at 31st December 2020, are invested in the COIF Charities Investment Fund which has a book value of £105,000 and a market value of £196,896, and in the Society’s current and deposit accounts with CAF Bank UK amounting to £32,825. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
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 | Membership subscriptions, events receipts and corporate donations. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity's governing document is its Constitution adopted in 1912 and last amended 21 July2020 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is constituted as an unincorporated association with membership open to the public by subscription |
| 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 | Trustees who have been duly nominated and seconded by current paid up members of the Society are put forward for approval and adoption at the Annual General Meetings of the Society held in June/July each year, or as soon as possible thereafter. |
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 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | The London Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | |
| Registered charitynumber | 206270 |
| Charity’s principal address | Mortimer Wheeler House 46 Eagle Wharf Road London N1 7ED |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Murray | Chairman | |||
| Neil Bennett | Vice Chairman | |||
| Clive Price | ||||
| Mark Prizeman | ||||
| Nick McKeogh | ||||
| Jessica Cargill Thompson |
To 21 July 2020 | |||
| Dave Hill | ||||
| Sarah Yates | To 21 July 2020 | |||
| Andrew Reynolds | ||||
| Michael Coupe | ||||
| Barry Coidan | Treasurer | |||
| Jonathan Manns | To 21 July 2020 | |||
| Lucy Smith | ||||
| Darryl Chen | Vice Chairman | |||
| Eric Sorensen | ||||
| Diane Cunningham | ||||
| Martha Grekos | Secretary | |||
| Helen Parton | From 21 July 2020 | |||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Financial & Charities (Authorised by HMRC to submit accounts) |
Stuart Edwards | Stuart Edwards & Co Kemp House 152-160 City Road London EC1V 2NX |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Don Brown - Director
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Barry Coidan Alpa Depani
Position (eg Secretary,
Hon. Treasurer Hon. Secretary
Chair, etc)
Date
29 October 2021
----- End of picture text -----
The London Society
Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Charity Registration No. 206270
AS APPROVED AT THE LONDON SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 5 JULY 2021
Stuart Edwards & Co Chartered Accountants Kemp House 152-160 City Road, LONDON, EC1V 2NX
1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE LONDON SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The London Society
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended
31[st] December 2020 which are set out on pages 3 to 6
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Stuart Edwards Chartered Accountant Kemp House,152-160 City Road, LONDON, EC1V 2NX
...........................................................Date.
2
The London Society
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2020
| Note | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||
| Subscriptions & Gift Aid Recovered | 2 | 25,205 | 28,702 |
| Visits, Events & lectures | 6,754 | 15,676 | |
| Corporate Donations | 15,236 | 14,986 | |
| Investment Income | 5,668 | 5,559 | |
| HMRC CVJRS | 2,293 | - | |
| Donations | 901 | 1,648 | |
| Library, tie and map sales | 12 | 10 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| Total Receipts | 56,069 | 66,581 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| Payments | |||
| Visits, Events & Lectures | 1,273 | 12,375 | |
| Events’ Administration | 749 | 9,303 | |
| Journal | 8,234 | 8,594 | |
| Printing, Postage, Stationery | 1,952 | 2,957 | |
| IT, Website, Telephone | 2,059 | 1,810 | |
| Equipment | - | 7 | |
| Publicity and Promotion | - | - | |
| Subscriptions Refunded | 438 | 120 | |
| Subscriptions | 167 | 252 | |
| Administrative Services | 13,505 | 10,073 | |
| Directors Fees | 19,208 | 17,835 | |
| Redundancy Payment | 3,302 | - | |
| Insurance | 230 | 218 | |
| Accountant’s Fees | 475 | 475 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Total Payments | 51,592 | 64,018 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Net Receipts/ (Payments) From Ordinary Activities | 4,477 | 2,563 | |
| Reserves Brought Forward | 133,348 | 130,785 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| Reserves Carried forward | 2 | £137,825 | £133,348 |
| _ | _ |
3
The London Society
Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2020
| Note | 2020 | 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
||
| Fixed assets | - | - | |||
| Investments at Cost | 4 | 105,000 | 105,000 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors and prepayments | - | - | |||
| Cash at bank | 32,825 | 28,348 | |||
| _ | _ | ||||
| 32,825 | 28,348 | ||||
| Less: Current liabilities | |||||
| Creditors and accruals | - | - | |||
| ______ | ______ | ||||
| 32,825 | 28,348 | ||||
| __ | _ | ||||
| Total net assets | £137,825 | £133,348 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Reserves: | |||||
| General Reserve | 3 | 137,825 | 133,348 | ||
| _ | __ | ||||
| £137,825 | £133,348 | ||||
| _ | __ |
The financial statements on pages 3 to 6 were approved by the Executive Committee of the Society on
5 JULY 2021 and signed on its behalf by the following:
......................................................... (LEANNE TRITTON) Chair ......................................................... (BARRY COIDAN) Hon. Treasurer ......................................................... (ALPA DEPANI) Hon. Secretary
The notes on pages 5 & 6 form part of these accounts.
4
The London Society
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2020
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting Convention
The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
1.2 Subscriptions & Gift Aid Repayments
These are included in the accounts when received and no amount is carried forward in respect of Life memberships.
1.3 Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Equipment purchased is written off in the year of purchase.
1.4 Legacies
Legacies unless otherwise specified by the testator, are included in the accounts in the year when they are received
2. Income
| Income | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |
| Subscriptions & Gift Aid Recovered | £ | £ |
| Subscriptions & memberships | 20,962 | 21,227 |
| Gift Aid Recovered | 4,243 | 7,475 |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 25,205 | 28,702 | |
| ====== | ===== |
5
The London Society
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2020
2. Income (Cont’d)
| Corporate Donations: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Allies & Morrison LLP | 1,250 |
1,000 |
| Almacantar | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Berkeley Group | 1,000 | - |
| Buckley Gray Yeoman | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Cadogan Estates | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Derwent London | - | 1,000 |
| E.H. Smith Builders | - | 1,000 |
| Fletcher Priest Architects | - | 986 |
| ft’work | 2,000 | - |
| Grosvenor Estate | 1,250 |
1,000 |
| Hawkins Brown | 986 | 2,000 |
| Howard De Walden | - | 1,000 |
| Metropolitan Works | - | 1,000 |
| Portman Settled Estates | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Rockwell Properties | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Shaftesbury PLC | 1,250 | - |
| Stiff & Trevillion | 1,250 | - |
| Weston Williamson | - | 1,000 |
| _ |
_____ | |
| £15,236 |
14,986 | |
| ====== | ===== |
3. Reserve and Investment Policy
The Trustees believe that the Society needs a significant level of reserves in order to finance plans to develop its range of activities and raise its profile. Central to this is the need to increase membership to a level that renders the Society financially viable, and to reduce the per capita level of costs. The Trustees refine their business plans as each financial year proceeds.
| 4. | COIF Charities Investment Fund | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
| Holding: No of Units | 10,931.72 | 10,931.72 | |
| Cost | £105,000 | £105,000 | |
| Market Value (mid-market value) | £196,896 | £185,060 | |
| ======= | ======== |
6
The London Society
Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2020
Charity Registration No. 206270
AS APPROVED AT THE LONDON SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 5 JULY 2021
Stuart Edwards & Co Chartered Accountants Kemp House 152-160 City Road, LONDON, EC1V 2NX
1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE LONDON SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The London Society
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended
31[st] December 2020 which are set out on pages 3 to 6
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Stuart Edwards Chartered Accountant Kemp House,152-160 City Road, LONDON, EC1V 2NX
...........................................................Date.
2
The London Society
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2020
| Note | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||
| Subscriptions & Gift Aid Recovered | 2 | 25,205 | 28,702 |
| Visits, Events & lectures | 6,754 | 15,676 | |
| Corporate Donations | 15,236 | 14,986 | |
| Investment Income | 5,668 | 5,559 | |
| HMRC CVJRS | 2,293 | - | |
| Donations | 901 | 1,648 | |
| Library, tie and map sales | 12 | 10 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| Total Receipts | 56,069 | 66,581 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| Payments | |||
| Visits, Events & Lectures | 1,273 | 12,375 | |
| Events’ Administration | 749 | 9,303 | |
| Journal | 8,234 | 8,594 | |
| Printing, Postage, Stationery | 1,952 | 2,957 | |
| IT, Website, Telephone | 2,059 | 1,810 | |
| Equipment | - | 7 | |
| Publicity and Promotion | - | - | |
| Subscriptions Refunded | 438 | 120 | |
| Subscriptions | 167 | 252 | |
| Administrative Services | 13,505 | 10,073 | |
| Directors Fees | 19,208 | 17,835 | |
| Redundancy Payment | 3,302 | - | |
| Insurance | 230 | 218 | |
| Accountant’s Fees | 475 | 475 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Total Payments | 51,592 | 64,018 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Net Receipts/ (Payments) From Ordinary Activities | 4,477 | 2,563 | |
| Reserves Brought Forward | 133,348 | 130,785 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| Reserves Carried forward | 2 | £137,825 | £133,348 |
| _ | _ |
3
The London Society
Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2020
| Note | 2020 | 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
||
| Fixed assets | - | - | |||
| Investments at Cost | 4 | 105,000 | 105,000 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors and prepayments | - | - | |||
| Cash at bank | 32,825 | 28,348 | |||
| _ | _ | ||||
| 32,825 | 28,348 | ||||
| Less: Current liabilities | |||||
| Creditors and accruals | - | - | |||
| ______ | ______ | ||||
| 32,825 | 28,348 | ||||
| __ | _ | ||||
| Total net assets | £137,825 | £133,348 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Reserves: | |||||
| General Reserve | 3 | 137,825 | 133,348 | ||
| _ | __ | ||||
| £137,825 | £133,348 | ||||
| _ | __ |
The financial statements on pages 3 to 6 were approved by the Executive Committee of the Society on
5 JULY 2021 and signed on its behalf by the following:
......................................................... (LEANNE TRITTON) Chair ......................................................... (BARRY COIDAN) Hon. Treasurer ......................................................... (ALPA DEPANI) Hon. Secretary
The notes on pages 5 & 6 form part of these accounts.
4
The London Society
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2020
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting Convention
The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
1.2 Subscriptions & Gift Aid Repayments
These are included in the accounts when received and no amount is carried forward in respect of Life memberships.
1.3 Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Equipment purchased is written off in the year of purchase.
1.4 Legacies
Legacies unless otherwise specified by the testator, are included in the accounts in the year when they are received
2. Income
| Income | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | |
| Subscriptions & Gift Aid Recovered | £ | £ |
| Subscriptions & memberships | 20,962 | 21,227 |
| Gift Aid Recovered | 4,243 | 7,475 |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 25,205 | 28,702 | |
| ====== | ===== |
5
The London Society
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2020
2. Income (Cont’d)
| Corporate Donations: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Allies & Morrison LLP | 1,250 |
1,000 |
| Almacantar | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Berkeley Group | 1,000 | - |
| Buckley Gray Yeoman | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Cadogan Estates | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Derwent London | - | 1,000 |
| E.H. Smith Builders | - | 1,000 |
| Fletcher Priest Architects | - | 986 |
| ft’work | 2,000 | - |
| Grosvenor Estate | 1,250 |
1,000 |
| Hawkins Brown | 986 | 2,000 |
| Howard De Walden | - | 1,000 |
| Metropolitan Works | - | 1,000 |
| Portman Settled Estates | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Rockwell Properties | 1,250 | 1,000 |
| Shaftesbury PLC | 1,250 | - |
| Stiff & Trevillion | 1,250 | - |
| Weston Williamson | - | 1,000 |
| _ |
_____ | |
| £15,236 |
14,986 | |
| ====== | ===== |
3. Reserve and Investment Policy
The Trustees believe that the Society needs a significant level of reserves in order to finance plans to develop its range of activities and raise its profile. Central to this is the need to increase membership to a level that renders the Society financially viable, and to reduce the per capita level of costs. The Trustees refine their business plans as each financial year proceeds.
| 4. | COIF Charities Investment Fund | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2019 | ||
| Holding: No of Units | 10,931.72 | 10,931.72 | |
| Cost | £105,000 | £105,000 | |
| Market Value (mid-market value) | £196,896 | £185,060 | |
| ======= | ======== |
6