2022-12-31-accounts - The London Society

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 June 2022 Period start date To 31 May 2023 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 benefts.  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 andBuilt 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 During the past year the Society has:-
Summary of the main Para 1.20  Continued with its financial goals to achievements of the charity, stabilise finances, producing a small identifying the difference the surplus. charity’s work has made to  Maintained a programme of ‘in the circumstances of its person’ events. beneficiaries and any wider  Produced online content for the benefits to society as a communication of London’s built whole. environment.  Continued to act 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.
Worked on a new book, London of the Future, which will be published in September 2023
Started work on a new podcast that will explore the history and
development of the capital, due for release in the autumn.
Run a second iteration of the popular writing competition called Love Letters to London that received nearly 500 entries.
Introduced a free Under 30’s membership programme to increase the diversity of the audience.

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 2022 the Society had an income of £66,394 (£71,095 in 2021) and an expenditure of £76,850 (£57,288 in 2021) giving net defcit of £10,456 (£13,807 surplus in 2021). The defcit was a combination of increased corporate support and phasing – the Society runs accounts on a cash basis and costs associated with revenue at the end of 2021 will fall in early 2022. We expect to have another defcit in 2023, 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 signifcant level of reserves in order to fnance plans to develop its range of activities and raise its profle. Central to this is the need to increase membership to a level that renders the Society fnancially viable, and to reduce the per capita level of costs.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	The Society's reserves at 31st December 2022, are invested in the COIF Charities Investment Fund which has a book value of £105,000 and a market value of £198,683, and in the Society’s current and deposit accounts with CAF Bank UK amounting to £36,176.
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, corporate donations and event sponsorship.
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
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 lastamended21July2020

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

Charity name	The London Society
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	206270
Charity’s principal address	Mortimer Wheeler House 46 Eagle Wharf Road London N1 7ED

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Alpa Depani
Mark Prizeman
Nick McKeogh
Dave Hill
Barry Coidan	Treasurer
Leanne Tritton	Chair
Lucy Smith
Eric Sorensen
Diane Cunningham
Kat Hanna		From 4 July 2022
Yusuf Erol	Hon. Secretary	From 4 July 2022
Clare Delmar		From 4 July 2022

– 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

Dates acted if not for whole year

Trustee name

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)

Type of adviser	Name Address	Name Address
Financial & Charities (Authoris ed 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

Signature(s) Y Erol Full name(s) Leanne Tritton Yusuf Erol Position (eg Secretary, Chair Hon. Secretary Chair, etc) Date 12.03.24