
## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** 

**From  1st January 2024  Period start date   To  31st December 2024 Period end date** 

## **Charity name:** 

## **Charity registration number:** 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of<br>the charity as set out in its<br>governing document|Para 1.17|The Charity's object is "stimulating wider<br>concern for the beauty of the capital city, for<br>the preservation of its charms and for the<br>careful consideration for its development".|





|Summary of the main<br>activities in relation to those<br>purposes for the public<br>benefit, in particular, the<br>activities, projects or<br>services identified in the<br>accounts.|Para 1.17 and<br>1.19|In pursuance of its objectives the Society<br>undertakes, inter alia, the following<br>activities:-<br>•<br>Organises a programme of events<br>including, lectures and discussions,<br>visits walks and tours, and social<br>and networking occasions.<br>•<br>Produces and publishes papers and<br>discussion documents on a variety<br>of subjects relevant to London’s<br>development and quality of life.<br>•<br>Keeps a watching brief on major<br>planning and development issues<br>and encourages constructive<br>involvement in, and discussion<br>thereon, among membership and<br>the public at large.<br>•<br>Issues regular newsletters and<br>bulletins to membership and those<br>on the Society’s mailing list covering<br>coming events and other current<br>topics.<br>•<br>Maintains liaison with<br>London’s local amenity associations<br>through membership of London<br>Forum of Amenity and Civic<br>Societies.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement confirming<br>whether the trustees have<br>had regard to the guidance<br>issued by the Charity<br>Commission on public<br>benefit|Para 1.18|The Trustees are aware of the Charity<br>Commission's public benefit guidance and<br>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 Contribution made by volunteers Other 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the main<br>achievements of the charity,<br>identifying the difference the<br>charity’s work has made to<br>the circumstances of its<br>beneficiaries and any wider<br>benefits to society as a<br>whole.|Para 1.20|During the past year the Society has:-<br>•<br>Continued with its financial goals to<br>stabilise finances<br>•<br>Consolidated the programme of<br>talks, tours and events.<br>•<br>Published London of the Future<br>•<br>Continued to attract writing talent via<br>the writing competition called<br>_Love Letters to London._|



## **Additional information (optional)** 

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: 

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set 



||Investment performance<br>against objectives<br>Para 1.41<br>Other|
|---|---|





## **Financial Review** 

|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s<br>financial position at the end<br>of the period|Para 1.21|The Charity is in need of further income to<br>cover various recent expenditure in our<br>website.|
|Statement explaining the<br>policy for holding reserves<br>stating why they are held|Para 1.22|The reserves are kept at around £180,000<br>to £200,000 to cover any potentially<br>damaging downturns in income.|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£200,000|
|Reasons for holding zero<br>reserves|Para 1.22||
|Details of fund materially in<br>deficit|Para 1.24||
|Explanation of any<br>uncertainties about the<br>charity continuing as a going<br>concern|Para 1.23||



## **Additional information (optional)** 

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: 

|The charity’s principal<br>sources of funds (including<br>any fundraising)|Para 1.47|Membership subscriptions and sponsorship|
|---|---|---|
|Investment policy and<br>objectives including any<br>social investment policy<br>adopted|Para 1.46||
|A description of the principal<br>risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|Reduction in membership numbers|
|Other|||





## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

|Description of charity’s<br>trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document<br>(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|The Charity's governing document is its<br>Constitution adopted in 1912 and last<br>amended 21 July 2020|
|How is the charity<br>constituted?<br>(e.g unincorporated<br>association, CIO)|Para 1.25|The charity is constituted as an<br>unincorporated association with<br>membership open to the public by<br>subscription|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees who have been duly nominated<br>and seconded by current paid up members<br>of the Society are put forward for approval<br>and adoption at the Annual General<br>Meetings of the Society held in June/July<br>each year, or as soon as possible<br>thereafter.|



## **Additional information (optional)** 

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: 

|Policies and procedures<br>adopted for the induction<br>and training of trustees|Para 1.51||
|---|---|---|
|The charity’s organisational<br>structure and any wider<br>network with which the<br>charity works|Para 1.51||
|Relationship with any related<br>parties|Para 1.51||
|Other|||



## **Reference and Administrative details** 

Charity name The London Society 



||Other name the charity uses<br>Registered charity number<br>206270<br>Charity’s principal address<br>Mortimer Wheeler House<br>46 Eagle Wharf Road<br>London<br>N1 7ED|
|---|---|





## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

||**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**<br>**whole year**|**Name of person (or body)**<br>**entitled to appoint trustee**<br>**(if any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|1 <br>2 <br>3 <br>4 <br>5 <br>6 <br>7 <br>8 <br>9 <br>10 <br>11 <br>12 <br>13 <br>14<br>15<br>16<br>17<br>18<br>19<br>20|Heather<br>Cheesbrough||||
||Barry Coidan|Hon. Treasurer|||
||Clare Delmar||||
||Alpa Delpani||||
||Yusuf Erol|Hon. Secretary|||
||Dave Hill||||
||Andrew Levy||||
||Nick McKeogh||||
||Mark Prizeman||||
||Darren<br>Rodwell||||
||Lucy Smith||||
||Eric Sorensen||||
||Leanne Tritton|Chair|||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||



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 rf 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)** 

**Type of Name Address adviser** Financial Chaweevan Verdant Accountants Limited & Williams FCCA 20-22 Wenlock Road Charities London, (Authoris N1 7GU ed by HMRC to submit accounts ) 

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

## **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) Full name(s)** Leanne Tritton Mark Prizeman **Position (eg** Chair Hon. Secretary **Secretary, Chair, etc)** 

**Date** 10th November 2025 




## **The London Society** 

Registered Charity No. 206270 

## **Annual Trustees’ Report & Financial Statements** 

For the year ended 31[st] December 2024 

Verdant Accountants Ltd 

Chartered Certified Accountants verdant.uk.com 



## **The London Society** 

## Contents 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


|**Description**|**Page No.**|
|---|---|
|1<br>Trustees’ Annual Report<br>2 - 3<br>Independent Examiner’s Report<br>4<br>Receipts and Payments Accounts<br>5<br>Statement of Assets and Liabilities<br>6<br>Notes to the Financial Statements<br>7 – 8<br>Reference and Administrative Details||





## **The London Society** 

## Reference and Administrative Details 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


**Charity title:** The London Society **Registered charity no.** 206270 (registered 22 September 1962: standard registration) **Principal address:** Mortimer Wheeler House 46 Eagle Wharf Road London N1 7ED **Website:** www.londonsociety.org.uk **Trustees:** Leanne Tritton Chair Barry Coidan Hon. Treasurer Alpa Depani Hon. Secretary Diane Cunningham Clare Elizabeth Delmar Yusuf Erol Dave Hill Nick McKeogh Mark Bentley Prizeman Lucy Smith Eric Sorensen **Independent examiner:** Chaweevan Williams FCCA Verdant Accountants Limited 20-22 Wenlock Road London, N1 7GU 

1 



**The London Society** 

## Trustees’ Annual Report 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


## **1 Objectives** 

The London Society is established for the public benefit for the following purposes in 'the area of benefit'. This is defined as the Cities of London and Westminster together with the London Boroughs. 

The Society is established: - 

- (i) to maintain a watching brief on all relevant developments and Development Plan Documents and other policy documents within, or affecting, the area of benefit and to encourage constructive discussion and comment thereon. 

- (ii) to promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit. 

- (iii) to secure the preservation protection development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in benefit. 

- (iv) to promote civic pride and involvement in benefit. 

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. 

- 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. 

The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance and are confident that they comply. 

## **2 Achievements and Performance** 

During the past year the Society has:- 

- Redesigned the website and upgraded the back-end booking system for members and visitors. 

- Developed the documentary podcast LONDON EXPLAINED which has contributed to the societies aim of ‘translating and bringing clarity to the built environment and London. 

- Continued with its financial aims to stabilise finances. 

- Consolidated the programme of talks, tours, and events. 

- Continued to attract writing talent via the writing competition called ‘Love Letters to London’. 

2 



The London Soclety
THE
LONDON
SOCIETY
EST.1912
Trustees, Annual Report (cont'd)
For the year ended 31st December 2024
3 Struciurg, Governance and Management
The thwi￿s gOV￿ling d0￿ment is ifs CC￿[￿ adcyted 1912 and last amended 21 Juty 2020.
The chaiity is constlbjted as an unlncgNp(X￿ asso¢iakn wilh Membersh￿ cyen to the public by
subscription.
Trustees who have tr*en nominated arKI S￿￿ded by current paid members of the S￿￿ety are pul
forward for approval and adoption at the Annual General Meetings of the SocAety held in JunelJuty each
year, or as scon a5 possible thereafter.
Approved by the tnjstees on
B.1.2025
and SI￿ M Iheir behalf by.
Leanne Tritton
Chair, Trustee
Bary Coid8n
Hon. Treasurer

## **The London Society** 

## Independent Examiner’s Report 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 

## **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 2024 which are set out on pages 5 to 8. 

## **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. 


## **Chaweevan Williams FCCA** 

**Date:** 9[th] October 2025 

Verdant Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU 

4 



## **The London Society** 

## Receipts and Payments Accounts 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


|Notes<br>**Receipts from:**<br>Subscriptions & Gift Aid recovered & legacy<br>2<br>Visits, events & lectures<br>Corporate donations & sponsorships<br>2<br>Investment income<br>Donations<br>Library, tie & sundry income<br>**Sub total**<br>**Investment sale:**<br>Other income<br>**Sub total**<br>**Payments**<br>Visits, events & lectures<br>Project expenses:<br>'Love Letters’<br>'Future of London’<br>'Podcast’<br>Summer Party<br>Printing, postage & stationery<br>IT, website & telephone<br>Equipment<br>Marketing & publicity<br>Subscriptions refunded<br>Subscriptions<br>Administrative services<br>Staff costs<br>Insurance<br>Accountant fees<br>**Total payments**<br>**Net receipts/(payments)**<br>Total Cash funds brought forward at 1 January 2024<br>**Total Cash funds carried forward at 31 December 2024**<br>3<br>**Total receipts**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Funds**<br>£<br>£|**Total**<br>Total<br>**Funds**<br>Funds<br>**2024**<br>2023<br>**£**<br>£|
|---|---|---|
||21,676            -<br>11,712            -<br>38,487            -<br>5,995            -<br>112            -<br>276            -|**21,676**31,288<br>**11,712**10,649<br>**38,487**52,068<br>**5,995**5,956<br>**112**303<br>**276**911|
||**78,258            -**|**78,258**101,175|
||25,000            -|**25,000**-|
||**25,000            -**|**25,000             -**|
||||
||**103,258            -**|**103,258     101,175**|
||13,170            -<br>-<br>4,467            -<br>-              -<br>15,200            -<br>3,387            -<br>-              -<br>7,188            -<br>-              -<br>353            -<br>-              -<br>220            -<br>3,322            -<br>49,637            -<br>157            -<br>525            -|**13,170**20,712<br>**-**-<br>**4,467**7,046<br>**-**24,268<br>**15,200**-<br>**3,387**-<br>**-**354<br>**7,188**3,062<br>**-**-<br>**353**9,178<br>**-**-<br>**220**175<br>**3,322**3,563<br>**49,637**34,737<br>**157**157<br>**525**700|
||**97,626            -**|**97,626**103,952|
||||
||**5,632            -**|**5,632        (2,777)**|
||138,399            -|**138,399**141,176|
||**144,031            -**|**144,031**138,399|



5 



The London Society
THE
LONDON
SOCIETY
EST. 1912
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As at 31& DeGernber 2024
31 thGwnbor 2024
31 20Z3
Fixed assets
Investments 81 C(*t
105.0(KI
105.000
Total flxod assets
105.OCKI
105,000
Current asset$
Debtors
Cash at b￿k and in hand
39,031
33.399
Total current assets
39.031
33.399
Less: Current Ilabilities
Creditors and acuuals fairing due wilhin ￿e year
Total net assfjts
144,031
138,399
Reserves:
General resefve
144,031
Totsl Cash funds
144.031
138.399
The finana81 statements on pages &8 were approv&1 by trustee5 on
and signed on their beh81f by:
Leanne TTttttin
Chair. Trustee
Bary Coid8n
Hon. Treasurer
The aco)mpanying'Notes to the FinarKial Slatemwits, frrfm a pwt of these finan(aal statements.

## **The London Society** 

## Notes to the Financial Statements 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


## **1 Accounting Policies** 

## **1.1 Accounting Convention** 

The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. 

## **1.2 Subscriptions and 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 they are received. 

## **2 Income** 

## **2.1 Subscriptions, Gift Aid Recovered & Legacy** 

|**Subscriptions, Gift Aid Recovered & Legacy**<br>Subscriptions and membership<br>Gift Aid recovered<br>Legacy received<br>**Total Subscriptions, Gift Aid Recovered & Legacy**<br> **Corporate Donations/Sponsorships**<br>**Corporate Donations**<br>Sundry<br>**Total Corporate Donations**<br>**Sponsorships**<br>London of The Future Crowdfunding<br>London of The Future<br>Love Letters to London<br>Podcasts<br>**Total Sponsorships**<br>**Total Corporate Donations/Sponsorships**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>6,250<br>**6,250**<br>1,737<br>1,000<br>3,000<br>26,500<br>**32,237**<br>**38,487**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**-**|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**21,676**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**21,676**|**2023**<br>£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||19,456<br>3,832<br>8,000|
|||||31,288|
||||||
||||**Total**<br>**Funds**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**6,250**<br>**6,250**<br>**1,737**<br>**1,000**<br>**3,000**<br>**26,500**<br>**32,237**<br>**38,487**|Total<br>Funds<br>**2023**<br>£|
|||||10,549|
|||||**10,549**|
|||||16,519<br>8,000<br>12,000<br>5,000|
|||||**41,519**|
||||||
|||||**52,068**|
||||||



## **2.2 Corporate Donations/Sponsorships** 

7 



## **The London Society** 

## Notes to the Financial Statements (cont’d) 

For the year ended 31st December 2024 


## **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** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|**F Charities Investment Fund**<br>Holding: No. of Units<br>Cost<br>Market Value (mid-market value)|**2024**<br>**£**<br>**9,698**<br>**105,000**<br>**196,811**|**2023**<br>£|
|||10,932<br>105,000<br>216,940|



8 




## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** 

**From 1 January 2023                  Period start date To 31 December 2023                    Period end date** 

**Charity name: The London Society** 

**Charity registration number: 206270** 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of<br>the charity as set out in its<br>governing document|Para 1.17|The Charity's object is "stimulating<br>wider concern for the beauty of the<br>capital city, for the preservation of its<br>charms and for the careful<br>consideration for its development".|
|Summary of the main<br>activities in relation to those<br>purposes for the public<br>benefit, in particular, the<br>activities, projects or<br>services identified in the<br>accounts.|Para 1.17 and<br>1.19|In pursuance of its objectives the<br>Society undertakes, inter alia, the<br>following activities:-<br><br>Organises a programme of<br>events including, lectures and<br>discussions, visits walks and<br>tours, and social and<br>networking occasions.<br><br>Produces and publishes papers<br>and discussion documents on a<br>variety of subjects relevant to<br>London’s development and<br>quality of life.<br><br>Keeps a watching brief on<br>major planning and<br>development issues and<br>encourages constructive<br>involvement in, and discussion<br>thereon, among membership<br>and the public at large.<br><br>Issues regular newsletters and<br>bulletins to membership and<br>those on the Society’s mailing<br>list covering coming events and<br>other current topics.<br><br>Maintains liaison with London’s<br>local amenity associations<br>through membership of London<br>Forum of Amenity and Civic<br>Societies.|
|Statement confirming<br>whether the trustees have<br>had regard to the guidance<br>issued by the Charity<br>Commission onpublic|Para 1.18|The Trustees are aware of the Charity<br>Commission's public beneft guidance<br>and are confdent that they comply.|





benefit 

## **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<br>achievements of the charity,<br>identifying the difference the<br>charity’s work has made to<br>the circumstances of its<br>beneficiaries and any wider<br>benefits to society as a<br>whole.|Para 1.20|During the past year the Society has:-<br><br>Continued with its fnancial goals to<br>stabilise fnances<br><br>Consolidated the programme of<br>talks, tours and events.<br><br>Published London of the Future<br><br>Continued to attract writing talent<br>via the  writing competition called<br>_Love Letters to London._|



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

|Achievements against<br>objectives set|Para 1.41|
|---|---|





|Performance of fundraising<br>activities against objectives<br>set|Para 1.41||
|---|---|---|
|Investment performance<br>against objectives|Para 1.41||
|Other|||





**Structure, Governance and Management** 

|Description of charity’s<br>trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document<br>(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|The Charity's governing document is<br>its Constitution adopted in 1912 and<br>lastamended21July2020|
|How is the charity<br>constituted?<br>(e.g unincorporated<br>association,CIO)|Para 1.25|The charity is constituted as an<br>unincorporated association with<br>membership open to the public by<br>subscription|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees who have been duly<br>nominated and seconded by current<br>paid up members of the Society are<br>put forward for approval and adoption<br>at the Annual General Meetings of the<br>Society held in June/July each year, or<br>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 Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties 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<br>46 Eagle Wharf Road<br>London N1 7ED|
|||





**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**<br>**adviser**|**Name**<br>**Address**|**Name**<br>**Address**|
|---|---|---|
|Financial<br>&<br>Charities<br>(Authoris<br>ed by<br>HMRC to<br>submit<br>accounts<br>)|Stuart Edwards|Stuart Edwards & Co<br>Kemp House<br>152-160 City Road<br>London<br>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) Full name(s)** Leanne Tritton Alpa Depani **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair Hon. Secretary **Chair, etc) Date** 30 October 2022 



**The London Society** 

## **Draft Statements** 

**For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**Charity Registration No. 206270** 

**StuartEdwards&Co Chartered Accountants 124,CityRoad, LONDON, EC1V 2NX** 

1 



## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF** 

## **THE LONDON SOCIETY** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** 

## **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 2023 which are set out on pages 3 to 7 

## **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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. 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 124 City Road, LONDON, EC1V 2NX** 

**...........................................................Date.** 

2 



## **The London Society** 

## **Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|**Receipts**<br>**Note**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>Subscriptions & Gift Aid Recovered & Legacy<br>2<br>31,288<br>Visits,Events & Lectures<br>10,649<br>Corporate Donations  &  Sponsorships<br>2<br>52,068<br>Investment Income<br>5,956<br>Donations<br>303<br>Library, tie and sundry income<br>911<br>**Total Receipts**<br>**101,175**<br>**Payments**<br>Visits, Events & Lectures<br>20,712<br>Project Expenses:<br>-“Love Letters”<br>7,046<br>-“Future of London”<br>24,268<br>Journal<br>-<br>Printing, Postage, Stationery<br>354<br>IT, Website, Telephone<br>3,062<br>Equipment<br>-<br>Marketing & Publicity<br>9,178<br>Subscriptions Refunded<br>-<br>Subscriptions<br>175<br>Administrative Services<br>3,563<br>Staff Costs<br>34,737<br>Insurance<br>157<br>Accountant’s Fees<br>700<br>**Total Payments**<br>**103,952**<br>**Net Receipts/ (Payments) From Ordinary Activities**<br>**(2,777)**<br>**Reserves Brought Forward**<br>**141,176**<br>**Reserves Carried forward**<br>**3**<br>**£138,399**|**2022**<br>**_£_**<br>25,788<br>12,980<br>21,250<br>5,966<br>105<br>305<br>**66,394**<br>12,417<br>6,276<br>19,100-<br>9,433<br>1,137<br>1,401<br>-<br>6,746<br>-<br>175<br>2,888<br>19,140<br>157<br>525<br>**76,850**<br>**(10,456)**<br>**151,632**|**2022**<br>**_£_**<br>25,788<br>12,980<br>21,250<br>5,966<br>105<br>305<br>**66,394**<br>12,417<br>6,276<br>19,100-<br>9,433<br>1,137<br>1,401<br>-<br>6,746<br>-<br>175<br>2,888<br>19,140<br>157<br>525|**2022**<br>**_£_**<br>25,788<br>12,980<br>21,250<br>5,966<br>105<br>305<br>**66,394**<br>12,417<br>6,276<br>19,100-<br>9,433<br>1,137<br>1,401<br>-<br>6,746<br>-<br>175<br>2,888<br>19,140<br>157<br>525|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**66,394**|
||||12,417<br>6,276<br>19,100-<br>9,433<br>1,137<br>1,401<br>-<br>6,746<br>-<br>175<br>2,888<br>19,140<br>157<br>525|
||||**76,850**|
||**£****_141,176_**|||



3 



## **The London Society Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2023** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>**Investments at Cost**<br>4<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors and prepayments<br>Cash at bank<br>**Less: Current liabilities**<br>Creditors and accruals<br>**Total net assets**<br>**Reserves:**<br>General Reserve<br>3||**£**<br>-<br>33,399||**2023**<br>**£**<br>-<br>105,000<br>33,399<br>**£138,399**<br>**138,399**<br>**£138,399**||**_£_**<br>-<br>36_,176_|**_£_**<br>-<br>36_,176_|**_2022_**<br>**_£_**<br>-<br>_105,000_<br>36,176|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||33,399<br>-||||36_,176_<br>-|||
||||||||||
|||||||||**£****_141,176_**|
|||||||||**_141,176_**|
|||||||||**£****_141,176_**|



The financial statements on pages 3 to 7 were approved by the Executive Committee of the Society on 

….................................................2024 and signed on its behalf by the following: .........................................................  (Typed Name) Executive Committee Member ......................................................... (Typed Name) Executive Committee Member .........................................................  (Typed Name) Secretary 

The notes on pages 5 & 7 form part of these accounts. 

4 



## **The London Society** 

## **Notes to the Accounts** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **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 they are received. 

## **2. Income** 

|**Subscriptions , Gift Aid Recovered ,& Legacy**<br>Subscriptions & memberships<br>Gift Aid Recovered<br>Legacy Received|**2023**<br>**£**<br>19,456<br>3,832<br>8,000<br>31,288<br>=====|**_2022_**<br>**£**<br>21,411<br>4,377|
|---|---|---|
|||25,788<br>=====|



5 



## **The London Society Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31st December2023** 

## 2 **Income  (Continued)** 

|2<br>a<br>2b|**Corporate Donations/Sponsorship(General)**<br>Allies and Morrison LLP<br>Cadogan Estates<br>EH Smith<br>Builders<br>Portman Settled Estates<br>Space Syntax<br>Hawkins/Brown<br>FP Kanda Comunication<br>Sundry<br>Michael Hussey<br>Harbour<br>Foundation<br>Total Corporate Donations<br>Sponsorship (LoFT Crowdfunding/sales)<br>Crowdfunder UK<br>Sundry Crowd funded Income<br>Total Crowdfunder Income<br>Sponsorship (LoFT)<br>Alan BaxterFoundation<br>PLP<br>Architecture<br>Harriet Trust<br>BDP<br>Hawkins /Brown<br>Fabix London<br>Ltd|2023<br>£<br>-<br>1,250<br>-<br>1,250<br>3,000<br>1,500<br>2,000<br>1,549<br>-<br>-<br>10,549<br>£<br>12,539<br>3,980<br>16,519<br>£<br>1,000<br>2,000<br>2,000<br>1,000<br>500<br>1,500<br>8,000|2022<br>£<br>1,250<br>1,250<br>2,750<br>1,250<br>-<br>-<br>1,750<br>3,000|
|---|---|---|---|
||||11,250|
||||£<br>-<br>-|
||||-|
||||£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||||-|



2c Love Letters to London  Donations 

6 



|2d|Almacantar<br>Stiff & Trevillion<br>Harriet Trust<br>ft’work<br>Total 'Love Letters to London ' Donations<br>Sponsorship of Pod casts<br>Earls Court Partnership Ltd<br>Total Donations/Sponsorship|£<br>6,000<br>3,000<br>3,000<br>-<br>12,000<br>£<br>5,000|£<br>5,000<br>2,500<br>-<br>2,500|
|---|---|---|---|
||||10,000|
||||£<br>-|
|||52,068||
||||21,250|



## **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**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**_2022_**|
||**Holding: No of Units**|10,931.72|_10,931.72_|
||**Cost**|£105,000|_£105,000_|
||**Market Value (mid-market value)**|£216,940|_£198,683_|
|||=======|========|



7 




## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** 

**From 1 January 2023                  Period start date To 31 December 2023                    Period end date** 

**Charity name: The London Society** 

**Charity registration number: 206270** 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of<br>the charity as set out in its<br>governing document|Para 1.17|The Charity's object is "stimulating<br>wider concern for the beauty of the<br>capital city, for the preservation of its<br>charms and for the careful<br>consideration for its development".|
|Summary of the main<br>activities in relation to those<br>purposes for the public<br>benefit, in particular, the<br>activities, projects or<br>services identified in the<br>accounts.|Para 1.17 and<br>1.19|In pursuance of its objectives the<br>Society undertakes, inter alia, the<br>following activities:-<br><br>Organises a programme of<br>events including, lectures and<br>discussions, visits walks and<br>tours, and social and<br>networking occasions.<br><br>Produces and publishes papers<br>and discussion documents on a<br>variety of subjects relevant to<br>London’s development and<br>quality of life.<br><br>Keeps a watching brief on<br>major planning and<br>development issues and<br>encourages constructive<br>involvement in, and discussion<br>thereon, among membership<br>and the public at large.<br><br>Issues regular newsletters and<br>bulletins to membership and<br>those on the Society’s mailing<br>list covering coming events and<br>other current topics.<br><br>Maintains liaison with London’s<br>local amenity associations<br>through membership of London<br>Forum of Amenity and Civic<br>Societies.|
|Statement confirming<br>whether the trustees have<br>had regard to the guidance<br>issued by the Charity<br>Commission onpublic|Para 1.18|The Trustees are aware of the Charity<br>Commission's public beneft guidance<br>and are confdent that they comply.|





benefit 

## **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<br>achievements of the charity,<br>identifying the difference the<br>charity’s work has made to<br>the circumstances of its<br>beneficiaries and any wider<br>benefits to society as a<br>whole.|Para 1.20|During the past year the Society has:-<br><br>Continued with its fnancial goals to<br>stabilise fnances<br><br>Consolidated the programme of<br>talks, tours and events.<br><br>Published London of the Future<br><br>Continued to attract writing talent<br>via the  writing competition called<br>_Love Letters to London._|



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

|Achievements against<br>objectives set|Para 1.41|
|---|---|





|Performance of fundraising<br>activities against objectives<br>set|Para 1.41||
|---|---|---|
|Investment performance<br>against objectives|Para 1.41||
|Other|||





**Structure, Governance and Management** 

|Description of charity’s<br>trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document<br>(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|The Charity's governing document is<br>its Constitution adopted in 1912 and<br>lastamended21July2020|
|How is the charity<br>constituted?<br>(e.g unincorporated<br>association,CIO)|Para 1.25|The charity is constituted as an<br>unincorporated association with<br>membership open to the public by<br>subscription|
|Trustee selection methods<br>including details of any<br>constitutional provisions e.g.<br>election to post or name of<br>any person or body entitled<br>to appoint one or more<br>trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees who have been duly<br>nominated and seconded by current<br>paid up members of the Society are<br>put forward for approval and adoption<br>at the Annual General Meetings of the<br>Society held in June/July each year, or<br>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 Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties 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<br>46 Eagle Wharf Road<br>London N1 7ED|
|||





**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**<br>**adviser**|**Name**<br>**Address**|**Name**<br>**Address**|
|---|---|---|
|Financial<br>&<br>Charities<br>(Authoris<br>ed by<br>HMRC to<br>submit<br>accounts<br>)|Stuart Edwards|Stuart Edwards & Co<br>Kemp House<br>152-160 City Road<br>London<br>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) Full name(s)** Leanne Tritton Alpa Depani **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair Hon. Secretary **Chair, etc) Date** 30 October 2022 

