Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
Registered number: 116643 Charity number: 214251
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 16 |
| Trustees' responsibilities statement | 17 |
| Independent examiner's report | 18 |
| Statement of financial activities | 19 |
| Balance sheet | 20 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 21 - 38 |
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
President
Dr M Vorontsova
Trustees
Mr R Vickery (resigned 1/1/2024) Ms M Russell, Joint Chair Mr M Clarke, Joint Chair Mr E Asamoah, Hon Treasurer Ms M Harakis Ms C Simpkin Ms G M Avendano Vargas Ms S Simmonds Mr O Parsons Dr M Vorontsova Mr P Bodley
Company registered number
116643
Charity registered number
214251
Registered office
323 Norwood Road, London, SE24 9AQ
Company secretary
Ms C Simpkin
Independent Examiner
P M Landergan FCA., Landergan & Co, 26 Burney Street, London, SE10 8EX
Bankers
Barclays Bank Plc, 136 Streatham High Road, London, SW16 1BN CCLA Investment Management Ltd, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DZ
Solicitors
Bates, Wells and Braithwaite, 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1BE
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
1. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The South London Botanical Institute (SLBI) is a vital community learning space focused on plants, people and civic participation. Sited in a Victorian house in an inner-city area of Tulse Hill we are a community education hub where people of all ages & backgrounds are welcomed to explore the natural environment and become more informed about biodiversity and the climate crises. We are dedicated to creating learning and research opportunities that embolden curiosity and participation in some of the most pressing environmental, cultural and social issues of our time. The SLBI has been at the forefront of interesting people in south London and beyond in plants, fungi and other organisms classified as plants at the time of its foundation in 1910.
Purpose and Aims
i) The Institute promotes, encourages and facilitates the study of plants and related sciences and their practical application by the provision of our building in which research, study and other opportunities for learning are made available. In pursuance of this a library, a herbarium and botanical garden are maintained.
ii) The Charity was appointed Trustee of the Hume Endowment Fund as from 1 April 2005 following a scheme date of 1 March 2005 under which the Charity Commission amalgamated the Allan Octavian Hume Botanical Bequest, the Charity of Allan Octavian Hume for the South London Botanical Institute and the Norwood Road Trust into the Hume Endowment Fund.
iii) iii. In pursuance of the Objects of the Company, the Trustees are empowered to generally do all things as are incidental to the attainment of the Objectives or any of them.
The main activities undertaken by the charity to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit:
The SLBI runs plant-related talks, urban botany and nature walks, workshops, school visits & open garden days for individuals, families & community groups. We maintain a botanical library, herbarium consisting of three herbaria (British flowering plants, European flowering plants and Bryophytes) with over a quarter million specimens and a botanical garden for the purposes of research and education.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
We also run plant and nature-related projects and events in a range of sites and with a variety of partner organizations to broaden opportunities for a large cross-section of people to engage with plants and our work. You’ll find us in community halls and markets, in community gardens and in parks offering opportunities to learn about plants and biodiversity. We make a difference by providing a much-valued space, resources, and low-cost activities and opportunities to connect through peer-to-peer learning and imagination practices that value the non-human as much as the human.
Ensuring our work delivers our aims
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. It helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remained focused on our stated purpose. In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit and to its supplementary public benefit guidance for education.
Significant activities undertaken by the charity during the financial year to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit or to generate resources to be used to further its purposes.
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The closure of the building for all of 2023-24 due to the subsidence project was a significant and challenging period for the Institute. (This followed a period of full or partial closures since March 2020 due to Covid-19 and the impact of subsidence). To ensure a safe and secure site for our activities and resources, the physical infrastructure required extensive work, including underpinning, repairing structural integrity, replacing multiple plaster and lath ceilings, and undertaking a comprehensive reinstatement process including addressing damp in the ground floor kitchen. The magnitude of this project cannot be overstated. The insurer’s met the cost of the subsidence, with SLBI drawing on reserves to pay for essential additional work to repair and improve other aspects of the building. The building was inaccessible from January 2023 until February 2024 when staff and all contents, including collections, began to return to the building. All contents were returned safely by the end of March 2024 and reinstatement and unpacking efforts are anticipated to continue well into 2024-25. This prolonged closure had a considerable impact on our programming, particularly affecting school visits and onsite learning events. Nevertheless, we ran an active programme off-site throughout the closure as detailed below.
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The maintenance of our garden continued while our building and other collection resources remained unavailable.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
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The completion of the building work marked a significant shift in our operations, highlighted by the departure of our live-in wardens and the expansion of available space to better support the Institute's activities. This newly available space not only enhances our capacity to deliver programs but also creates new income-generation opportunities to further sustain our initiatives. The renovations include a new kitchen space and an upgraded kitchen space, a dedicated residency area, and an increase in hireable and activity spaces, all of which contribute to a more dynamic and versatile environment for the Institute's future endeavours.
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In our continuing efforts to enhance the impact and sustainability of our work, the charity began a significant step-change, marked by the appointment of a Director in May 2023. This appointment marks the adoption of more rigorous operational practices and enables a more strategic approach to programming and projects, with greater focus and alignment with our long-term goal to reach a wider community of learners and met their growing needs, enhance a public commitment to the non-human and the role plants play in urban health. This professionalisation is a crucial step in ensuring that we can continue to deliver our mission effectively and sustainably in the years to come.
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Business Plan. The full and partial closures of the building from March 2020-March 2024 (and continuing into following financial year) has presented many challenges to our business planning. Whilst retaining our four key aims, these challenges have been noted and addressed as far as possible in our 2023-2024 programming and other activities in preparation for a full review in 2024-2025.
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We have run an ongoing program that included the SLBI speaker series, the West Norwood Cemetery survey and specific event programs focused on house plants, fungi and trees featuring contributors from Kew, Queen Mary, Street Trees for Living and Lambeth Parks.
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We developed educational offering about seeds with curriculum links to take into formal and informal learning environments.
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We developed informal education offering for young people ages 16-24 with support from the HECF.
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The Gazette was published in Spring 2023 and Winter 2024, implementing a further redesign to support clearer communication of our activities and research.
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10.During 2023-24 the South London Botanical Institute ran three community learning projects outside our regular home. These projects focused on human relationships to the natural world, growing edible plants at home, creating and supporting biodiverse habitats, and improving the health and wellbeing of those most in need of support. With the support of Lambeth Social Value Fund, Thriving Norwood and Awards for All in partnership with KataKata restaurant (Brixton Hill), we sought to reach a wider range of local people and community groups. Through our work we sought to deepen engagement with nature in local spaces and communities and expand understandings of plant science.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
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11.Active grants and partnership projects over 2023-24 include:
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a. CLIPS Kitchen Grant
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b. Norwood Forum
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c. Postcode Society Trust
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d. Lambeth Social Value Fund
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e. National Lottery Awards for All -
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f. Queen Mary
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g. Finnis Scott
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h. Walcot Foundation
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i. West Norwood Cemetery Project
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j. City Bridge Trust Access Audit
With thanks to our funders for their support.
- 12.Volunteer activities & engagement: Closure has impacted all aspects of our operations., However over 2023-24 we continued to have about 30 active core volunteers including our Scientific Advisory Group and our Board of Trustees. Volunteers supported us at events, on projects and in schools. We held events and outings to celebrate our volunteers.
We would like to thank our donors and our volunteers for their vital support for the SLBI. We are grateful to our staff, present and past, staff for their work on uplifting the aims and objectives of the SLBI.
2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Despite the challenges of the building being closed for 2023-2024 because of subsidence we achieved the following.
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Overview:
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a. Almost 2,500 learners of all ages engaged in our activities over 202324
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b. 21 walks and surveys took place in urban parks and streets that introduced over 300 people to plant life and botanical skills in their locality.
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c. 85 children and adults took part in plant related workshops and drop-in activities in Lambeth extending our reach to new learners.
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d. We worked with 5 local primary and secondary schools, providing learners with valuable botanical educational opportunities. We reached over 350 students in schools and of those 185 learners were introduced to our new supersonic seeds workshop.
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e. We held 11 specialist workshops and talks that reached over 260 people. We ran a mix of in person, online and hybrid events to ensure accessibility to a range of participants.
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f. There were 359 members.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
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Building Project
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a. Completion of underpinning and stitching of the fabric of the building.
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b. Repossession of building and return of contents including over a quarter of a million herbarium specimens and our full library from specialist storage all in good condition.
Highlights of Roaming Activities 2023-24
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c. Acting in partnership with KataKata, Brixton, and with support from Awards for All we undertook an intergenerational project with local people in and around Lambeth that focused on growing your own edible plants and using them to cook with. Over a six-month period, we ran sessions that included growing a variety of microgreens, fruits, herbs and vegetables (both in the KataKata garden and for participants to try at home) and with KataKata’s help explored how to turn homegrown ingredients into tasty and nutritious meals. The final session focused on gathering and saving seeds and, in collaboration with Fences and Frontiers (a charity supporting refugees and their families), we celebrated the harvest, cooked together and explored the value and importance of growing our own food plants at home. Through this project we worked meaningfully with 97 participants, almost half adults and half children and built lasting relationships with two new organisations.
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d. Supported by the Lambeth Social Value Fund we inspired children, young people, their teachers and caregivers to connect to plants. We delivered activities to150 primary school children plus their teachers (5 school visits with 30 children in each class). 196 children and adults attended holiday/weekend/other activities. 8 volunteers helped run activities. We employed educational activities in schools, on streets, at fairs and in holiday clubs to support children to learn about plants, deepening environmental interdependence and connection to their local community. We expanded teachers' knowledge of plant science and encouraged carers and parents to work with young people on growing plants. Volunteers gained skills in environmental education with children, increased confidence and had important opportunities for intergenerational social interaction.
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e. The Thriving Norwood project ‘Gipsy Hill Grows’ improved the health and wellbeing of families with young children, adults on low incomes accessing food banks, and those living with dementia by learning how to simply grow healthy and nutritious food plants at home. Supported by Norwood Forum we engaged 93 local people in our activities.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
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f. Our activities in the community supported us to develop activities for young adults and to deepen our partnership working in the local community. Working collaboratively with different groups and organisations has introduced us to new ways of thinking about plants and to other projects within the area with whom we can forge links going forward. As a result, we generated two new projects, ‘Rhyze’, a –
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nature learning and placement project for 16 24-year-old Lambeth residents, supported by the Walcott foundation and ‘Walk with Me while I remember’, an urban botany and storytelling project supported by a partnership with West Norwood Cemetery. Both will begin running in 2024-25.
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g. Partnership building for 2024-2025
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i. New partnership with Queen Mary University
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ii. New partnership with West Norwood Cemetery
3. FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity reported a deficit of £104,345 in the year ended 31 March 2024 before revaluing its investments. At the year-end, changes in the Stock Exchange resulted in an unrealised surplus on the Company's investments of £69,137. Total incoming resources increased from £108,506 to £132,448, due to some large restricted grants being received late in the year offsetting slow movement in our activities after an effective four years of building closure due to COVID measures, subsidence, the decanting of the building to prepare for structural repairs, ensuing repairs and reinstatement. A drop in subscription fees in this financial year has been mitigated by an increase in donations. Despite the challenges in raising unrestricted income, the charity maintained its income support from funders that supported in delivering the charitable object.
As part of the Board and Finance and Risk Subcommittee work other steps taken to reach the necessary income included successful match funding and individual giving activities along with earning income from donations for online talks, garden visits and other activities.
Efforts were made to reduce expenses, but opportunities to do so were limited. Some costs associated with use of the building were reduced (energy, printing, cleaning etc), but we faced additional costs, for example, of temporary office accommodation and expenditure associated with offsite activities, which was only partly met by the insurers.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
Although the need for additional necessary repairs, improvements and redecoration of the building became evident some time ago, the repairs to the fabric of the building and reinstatement were further delayed due to requirements by insurers (which were beyond the control of the charity). Some repairs were still to be completed at the end of the financial year. The reinstatement work was partially complete, and the reinhabiting of the building had only begun at the end of the financial year. We have planned for further investment in the building and subsidence project in the coming financial year, which includes addressing some unexpected repair and reinstatement issues that have been thrown into relief as a result of the works.
At the year end, the funds of the charity totalled £1,410,819 and were split as
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An unrestricted general funds of £180,671, which the Trustees can spend as they see fit within the object of the charity;
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£359,391 of unrestricted funds designated at the discretion of the Trustees for particular purposes e.g. building work and support for possible deficits;
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£109,552 of restricted funds to be disbursed at the direction of their funder.
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And £761,205 in the endowment fund represented by the building and longterm investments.
Going Concern
The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements; further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.
The trustees have considered the ongoing impact of the health and economic crisis alongside the Institute’s closure from January 2023-May 2024, including going concern implications. As the charity derives a good portion of its income from grants and investments it is not completely dependent on income generated through the activities based at the Institute, which was not open or operational due to building works to address subsidence. The income lost through the cessation of these activities is only partially mitigated by increased unrestricted donations helping to offset the financial impact. The impact of the cessation of some of the organisations core activities this year has been compounded by the cumulative impact of ongoing part and full building closures since March 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
The organisation is strategically utilising its financial reserves to address and facilitate a transformative development in its operations. The building project costs have been an investment in this future development. The trustees are working to a 3-5 year plan that would see a strategic return of the utilised reserves. This plan is in dialogue with the existing business plan and acknowledges the challenges the
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
organisation has faced and the changes it needs to make. This approach focuses on increasing revenue from space hire, optimizing operational efficiency and strengthening programmes and partnerships to restore financial health and build a more resilient foundation for the future.
The Trustees have concluded that at the date of signing these accounts the Institute is confident of our going concern for the financial year end 31 March 2024.
b. Reserves Policy
Trustees review the reserves policy annually, with the primary purpose of maintaining the reserves at a sufficient level to ensure our financial resilience and sustainability, including protecting the SLBI against identified risks (see S.4, para. d. below Risk Management). The Trustees aim to strike the appropriate balance between ensuring a long-term sustainable financial position and using our available funds judiciously to fulfil our charitable mission. The policy is also designed to reflect the underlying risks facing the charity and to ensure that the charity has an appropriate level of reserves to:
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Cater for unforeseen circumstances;
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Provide for the routine costs of a temporary or permanent decrease of activities, should restricted funding be withdrawn and/or the charity encounter a shortfall of unrestricted funding.
The charity continues to hold all its investments with CCLA (COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund) of £777,773 total assets, as laid out in the accounts, consist of endowed assets, restricted funds and general funds. The greater part of the general funds are designated for specific purposes and to mitigate risks. At 31 March 2024, the general fund (excluding designated funds) was £180,671. Of this, £121,900 is represented by long-term investments, leaving reserves freely available for any purpose the charity decides at £58,771.
The Trustees believe the Institute requires free reserves to cover 6 months running costs, including those currently or typically supported by grant-aid activities. This results in a free reserves target of £50,000.
The reserves target was deemed necessary because of uncertainty concerning income generation combined with increased competition in the grants funding environment. These reserves would allow the charity to minimise abrupt disruption to beneficiaries and staff in the event of closure. This level of free reserves is also in line with financial projections to pay a greater proportion of costs from general funds and reduce dependence on restricted funds.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
The assets are made up as follows:
i. Endowments
The endowments are the largest part of the assets at 54%. At 31 March 2024, the endowments totalled £761,205, comprising: the historic building and its garden, valued at £508,911 reduced by amortisation of £12,723; fixed asset investments of £252,294.
The endowments benefit the SLBI through the use of the building and the income from the investments, and the availability of capital for the maintenance of the building. The SLBI cannot realise the endowment capital.
ii. Restricted Funds
Restricted funds of £109,552 at 31 March 2024 formed 7.7% of the assets. Whether grants or donations they must be used as intended by the grantor/donor and are not available for general use. In 2023-24 income from the Hume Education Centenary Fund was utilised to support the development of new activities for young people 1624.
iii. General Funds
The extended closure of the Institute, combined with essential capital works not covered by insurance, has impacted the charity's operations and income generation throughout 2023-24. The effects of this closure and expenditure have been further amplified by the ongoing impact of the global health, economic and climate crises. While the Institute will reopen in early 2024-25 the impact of the above is expected to continue into 2024-25 and 2025-26. To navigate this period, the trustees plan to utilize reserves in 2024-25 to cover operational costs while the charity focuses on capitalizing on its relaunch and rebuilding its income streams.
The total general funds (excluding the Designated Funds) of £180,671 at 31 March 2024 formed 12.8% of the assets. However long-term investments of £121,900 are held in a separate fund, leaving £58,771 as Free Reserves that satisfies the Reserves Policy.
Designated reserves of £359,391 formed 25.4% of the assets at 31 March 2024 to provide income necessary to ensure satisfactory maintenance of the building and gardens occupied by the Institute, such income also being necessary to maintain the library facilities and to enable educational facilities to be increased. The reserve policy regarding general funds (agreed in 2010-2011) was amended in the financial year 2018-2019 to ring-fence additional reserves to generate income to maintain the property and to support charitable educational activities.
The designated funds stand as follows
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£56,545 designated to the Property and Garden Maintenance Fund to generate income for the annual, recurring and increasing costs of the maintenance of the Victorian building and garden occupied by the Institute.
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£180,000 designated to the Running Costs Fund to generate income to cover annual, recurrent and occasional additional costs of maintaining the library and other collections and to enable educational and engagement activities to
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
be increased for further public benefit. We have drawn on this fund, both to replenish the general fund and to meet ongoing staffing costs in 2023-24.
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£112,251 designated to Subsidence and Building Renovation Fund to cover additional costs relating to subsidence repairs, including capital works, redecoration and similar expenses not covered by insurance and for other capital works likely to be required within twelve months.
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£10,595 designated to the Youth Education Fund to provide reserves for youth work that may support us to further our aims and objectives.
4. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
a. Constitution
The company is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 4 July 1911.
There have been no changes in the objectives since the last annual report.
b. Method of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees are appointed by the members in general meeting. One third retires every year at the Annual General Meeting and may offer themselves for reappointment.
At the 2024 Annual General Meeting, the following Trustees will retire in accordance with the rotation, but being eligible will offer themselves for re-election: Emmanuel Asamoah, Gabriele Avendano Vargas, Marlowe Russell.
Melanie Harakis will retire in accordance with the rotation but will not offer herself for re-election. Roy Vickery resigned in this financial year. We thank both for their service to the SLBI.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making
The management of the Charity is carried out by Trustees who meet regularly and are advised by sub-groups appointed by the Trustees.
Following the amendment of the Memorandum and Articles (see paragraph 3a above), in 2021, the Trustees agreed to separate the roles of President and Chair. The President will concentrate on raising the profile of the SLBI with wider publics. Dr Maria S. Vorontsova took on the role of President in September 2022 and continues to serve.
The role of the Chair is to provide leadership to the Board of Trustees. Marlowe Russell and Michael Clarke served as Joint Chairs.
At the start of the year the sub-groups, consisting of Trustees and staff, focused areas of work in order to make recommendations to the Trustee Board. With the appointment of the Director most of these groups were phased out over the year to
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SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
support a step change in our operations. The Governance group remains and meets twice a year and when needed on specific matters.
The financial management is carried out by the Honorary Treasurer, who chairs the Finance and Risk subcommittee, who meet quarterly and when needed on specific matters. An external (non-trustee) member of this committee commonly serves to give added scrutiny to financial processes and decision-making.
d. Risk management
i. Assessment of Risk
The Trustees recognise that there are risks to which the Charity is exposed. The Trustees keep all major risks to the organisation under regular review and this is seen as integral to the achievement of our strategic goals. The Trustees are satisfied that we have a formal review in place and consider new and emerging risks.
Risks with the highest potential impact:
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Changes to funding environment resulting in income levels insufficient to cover planned operational activities;
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The ongoing impact of disruption to the charity caused by the need to vacate the building for over a year in addition to the closures and part-closures caused by Covid-19 and preparations for the building work;
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The organisation not meeting its strategic objectives due to lack of experienced leadership team and skills needed on the Board;
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Market volatility affecting investment value and returns.
ii. Mitigation of risks:
Systems have been established to mitigate known risks, including financial controls, employment procedures, agreements with partners and training. The Trustees keep proper accounting records and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Health and safety, diversity, equity and inclusion and safeguarding are prioritised. Records and archives are securely stored, and policies and procedures are in place to ensure that electronic data is carefully protected.
The charity is managing these risks by Director and Trustee oversight of quarterly reporting against budget, future income key performance indicators and with monthly cash flow forecasting, to identify early trends of income shortfall. Income targets and budgets are set to achieve realistic returns on investments, and new business targets are identified. Our broad range of income streams with multiple donors reduces the risk of income shortfall. The charity aims to maintain sufficient reserves to cover any unexpected or short-term income shortfalls.
As the majority of the reserves are held in cash or easily accessible investments, the Trustees consider this satisfactory.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
5. THE FUTURE
Our four principal aims for the next two years remain as in the Business Plan 20212026:
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To retain our current audiences and broaden our audiences in line with local demographics;
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To make the SLBI’s collections and building more physically and intellectually accessible;
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To maintain existing and build new partnerships and collaborations locally, regionally and nationally to fulfil our aims;
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To make the SLBI more financially resilient and sustainable, reducing dependency on grants;
The year 2024-25 will be another challenging one because of the longterm effects of the pandemic coupled with the extended closure due to the building works. Building work, reinstatement and reoccupation were three quarters of the way to completion at the end of 2023-24. The priorities for the SLBI in 2024-25 will be to maintain delivery, mitigate the impact of the moves and long-term closure on our deliverables and strategy and to set a longer-term strategy for rebuilding finances while reviewing and implementing relevant parts of the 2021-2026 business plan.
The year will include further strategic, consulting, planning and preparatory work to enable the SLBI to make the best use of the building and other resources in the immediate and longer terms.
Our budget for 2024-25 anticipates a significant deficit. This is based both on costs associated with the building work which were not realised this year, conservative estimates of earned and grant income, and on an agreed need to invest in the building, resources and staffing to relaunch the SLBI and to meet future aspirations.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
More details about specific actions and developments are below.
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Continue to strategically invest in the ongoing evolution of the charity to better meet the growing needs of our community of learners and the demands of the current moment. This effort will involve reallocating responsibilities and optimizing processes to ensure more effective use of our resources and an expanded capacity for programming, partnerships, and revenue generation. These initiatives are aimed at reinforcing our ability to fulfil our mission and positioning the organization for sustained success in the long term.
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Review our current business plan in the context of developing a new 3–5-year strategy in light of extended closure and use of reserves, appointment of a Director and reassessment of our core collection resources.
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Build on lessons learned from our roaming programme to broaden our learners in line with local demographics while retaining our current learners.
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Over the next two years to trial models to open building more to the public – beginning in June 2024 with a new programme developed in partnership with Queen Mary University.
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Fundraising: Develop and implement structures to increase revenue generation from space hire and to focus on the development of partnership and organisational development projects that support our strategic aims.
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Implement noncapital improvements based on recommendations from our access audit.
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Develop a new course about identifying wildflowers for absolute beginners.
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· Review and relaunch our in-situ schools’ offerings and develop new programmes for older children.
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Review our resources: Undertake a collection-level assessment of our herbarium, develop projects to enliven our library and herbarium and increase access. Launch a residency programme to support the above.
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Build and deepen relationships with researchers in plant sciences and plant studies, organisations focused on climate justice and local organisations building capacity for urban health.
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Continue to increase our visibility locally, London-wide and nationally.
6. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN
The Institute holds no funds as a custodian.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7 HEALTH AND SAFETY
SLBI is committed to complying with all relevant health and safety legislation, and to promoting good health and safety practices amongst employees, volunteers and families. SLBI operates a cross functional Committee to review health and safety practices.
Mr E Asamoah, Hon Treasurer 28 October 2024
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees (who are also directors of South London Botanical Institute for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
-
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (the 'company')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
This report is made solely to the company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the Trustees of the company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
Signed: Dated: 28 October 2024 P M Landergan FCA.
Landergan & Co. 26 Burney Street, London, SE10 8EX
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Endowment funds Note 2024 £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Grants and donations 2 - Other trading activities 3 - Investments 4 - Other income 5 - TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS - EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds - Charitable activities 6-8 12,723 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 12,723 NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS/(LOSSES) (12,723) Net gains/(losses) on investments 22,570 NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE TRANSFERS 9,847 Transfers between Funds 16 29,634 NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 39,481 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (CONTINUED) 39,481 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward 721,724 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 761,205 |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ 57,416 31,194 - 6,559 - 24,924 - 12,355 57,416 75,032 - 7,096 32,008 184,966 32,008 192,062 25,408 (117,030) 8,400 38,167 33,808 (78,863) - (29,634) 33,808 (108,497) 33,808 (108,497) 75,744 648,559 109,552 540,062 |
Total funds 2024 £ 88,610 6,559 24,924 12,355 132,448 7,096 229,697 236,793 (104,345) 69,137 (35,208) - (35,208) (35,208) 1,446,027 1,410,819 |
Total funds 2023 £ 48,476 9,939 25,400 24,691 108,506 3,232 181,249 184,481 (75,975) (50,503) (126,478) - (126,478) (126,478) 1,572,505 1,446,027 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 21 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 116643
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 12 Investments 13 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year 15 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Endowment funds 16 Restricted funds 16 Unrestricted funds 16 TOTAL FUNDS |
£ 29,439 112,683 142,122 (17,987) |
2024 £ 508,911 777,773 1,286,684 124,135 1,410,819 761,205 109,552 540,062 1,410,819 |
£ 9,012 112,163 121,175 (3,823) |
2023 £ 492,000 836,675 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,328,675 117,352 |
||||
| 1,446,027 | ||||
| 721,724 75,744 648,559 |
||||
| 1,446,027 |
The company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The Trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 28 October 2024 and signed on their behalf, by:
Mr E Asamoah Hon Treasurer
Ms M Russell Co - Chair
The notes on pages 21 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
South London Botanical Institute meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
1.2 COMPANY STATUS
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1 . In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company.
1.3 FUND ACCOUNTING
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors and grantors or which have been raised by the company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
The endowments are held in the Hume Endowment Fund, whose governing documents were issued by the Charity Commissioners on 1 March 2005. Under the terms of the governing documents, the endowment funds benefit the SLBI through the use of the building, the income from the investments and the availability of capital for the maintenance of the building. The SLBI cannot realise the endowment capital
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.4 INCOME
All income is recognised once the company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the company is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the company has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the company, or the company is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Donated services or facilities are recognised when the company has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the company of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the Friends is not recognised and refer to the Trustees' report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the company which is the amount the company would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.5 EXPENDITURE
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Direct costs are those costs incurred in meeting the objectives of the charity through the provision of facilities, resources and activities. Support costs are those costs incurred by the organisation in maintaining and administering the property and charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the company and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the company's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
All assets costing more than £750 are capitalised.
A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments. Impairment losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is not charged on freehold land. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
- Freehold property 2% and 2.43% straight line (Endowment) - Centenary Mosaic 10.0% straight line (Restricted) - Equipment 33.3% straight line (General & Restricted)
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.7 INVESTMENTS
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, unless fair value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading ‘Gains/(losses) on investments’ in the statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account.
1.8 OPERATING LEASES
Rentals under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
1.9 INTEREST RECEIVABLE
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
1.10 PENSIONS
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year.
1.11 HUME ENDOWMENT FUND
Under the Hume Endowment Fund listed investments are held for the benefit of the Institute who receive the income.
The listed investments of the endowment and the Trust property are shown under note 12. Both assets classes have been brought into the financial statements at their market value at the accounting date as no cost price information is available to the Trustees.
The charity has rent free use of the property in Norwood as a result of the settlement made by the late Mr A O Hume.
1.12 DEBTORS
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.13 CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term deposit investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
1.14 LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
1.15 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS, GRANTS
| Endowment funds 2024 £ Grants and Donations - Statutory Grants - Total donations and legacies - Total 2023 - |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ 55,114 31,194 2,302 - 57,416 31,194 40,154 8,322 |
Total funds 2024 £ 86,308 2,302 88,610 48,476 |
Total funds 2023 £ 48,476 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48,476 | |||
3. FUNDRAISING INCOME
| Endowment funds 2024 £ Plant and other sales - - Total 2023 - |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ - 6,559 - 6,559 - 9,939 |
Total funds 2024 £ 6,559 6,559 9,939 |
Total funds 2023 £ 9,939 9,939 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
4. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Endowment funds 2024 £ Investment income - investment properties - Investment income - listed investments - Investment income - cash - - Total 2023 - OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES Endowment funds 2024 £ Subscriptions - Course fees received - Hire charges - - Total 2023 - |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ - 3,165 - 20,980 - 779 - 24,924 - 25,400 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ - 8,008 - 4,147 - 200 - 12,355 - 24,691 |
Total funds 2024 £ 3,165 20,980 779 24,924 25,400 Total funds 2024 £ 8,008 4,147 200 12,355 24,691 |
Total funds 2023 £ 2,301 22,811 288 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25,400 | |||
| Total funds 2023 £ 14,766 8,465 1,460 |
|||
| 24,691 | |||
5. OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
6. DIRECT COSTS
| Gardeners' fees Community Engagement: Governance Project Program Costs Wages and salaries Total 2023 Gardeners' fees Community Engagement: Governance Project Program Costs Wages and salaries Total 2023 |
L S V £ 215 - - 545 2,335 3,095 11,675 Walcot £ - - - - 600 600 - |
NLA4A £ - - - 3,979 5,318 9,297 135 WNC £ - - - - 3,177 3,177 - |
Operations £ 17,236 - - 7,126 58,802 83,164 43,392 H C E F £ - - - - 8,500 8,500 - |
Smaller Projects £ - - - 1,011 2,178 3,189 16,650 Total 2024 £ 17,451 - - 12,661 81,993 112,105 71,852 |
P S £ - - - - 1,083 1,083 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||||
| Total 2023 £ 13,597 5,846 2,610 6,360 43,439 71,852 |
|||||
Restricted funds comprise;
L S V = Lambeth Social Value Trust, H C E F = Hume Centenary Education Fund., NLA4A = National Lottery Awards For All, P S = Postcode Society Trust, WNC = West Norwood Cemetary, Smaller Projects contains funds of less than £6,000.
.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7. SUPPORT COSTS
| Major Repairs Office Costs Bank charges Light & heat Building rates & insurance Wages and salaries National insurance Pension cost Depreciation Total 2023 Major Repairs Office Costs Bank charges Light & heat Building rates & insurance Wages and salaries National insurance Pension cost Depreciation Total 2023 |
L S V NLA4A £ £ - - 220 478 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 220 478 - - PS Endowment Fund £ £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12,723 - 12,723 23,917 12,000 |
Operations £ 43,190 8,364 674 4,862 7,734 19,540 4,943 2,272 - 91,579 67,638 Total 2024 £ 43,190 9,129 674 4,862 7,734 19,540 4,943 2,272 12,723 105,067 - |
Smaller Projects £ - 67 - - - - - - - 67 - Total 2023 £ 23,380 16,210 1,165 3,111 5,551 44,189 (3,706) 1,655 12,000 103,555 |
|---|---|---|---|
Restricted funds comprise;
L S V = Lambeth Social Value Trust, H C E F = Hume Centenary Education Fund., NLA4A = National Lottery Awards For All, P S = Postcode Society Trust, WNC = West Norwood Cemetary, Smaller Projects contains funds of less than £6,000.
Page 28
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
8. GOVERNANCE COSTS
| GOVERNANCE COSTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Endowment funds 2024 £ Independent examiners fee - Professional fees - - |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ - 3,300 2,302 6,923 2,302 10,223 |
Total funds 2024 £ 3,300 9,225 12,525 |
Total funds 2023 £ 3,000 2,842 |
| 5,842 |
9. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
This is stated after charging:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets: | ||
| - owned by the charity | 12,723 | 12,000 |
| Independent examiners fees - Accounts Examination | 3,300 | 3,000 |
| Independent examiners fees - Payroll | 540 | 540 |
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration, benefits in kind or the reimbursement of expenses (2023 - £NIL)
10. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
The Independent Examiner's remuneration amounts to an Independent Examination fee of £3,300 (2023 - £3,000), and payroll services of £ 540(2023 - £540).
Page 29
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
11. STAFF COSTS
| Staff costs were as follows: 2024 £ Wages and salaries 105,155 Social security costs 4,943 Other pension costs 2,272 112,370 The average number of persons employed by the company during the year was as follows: 2024 No. Project delivery and Administration 6 Average headcount expressed as a full time equivalent: 2024 No. Project delivery and Administration 4 |
2023 £ 87,628 (3,706) 1,655 85,577 2023 No. 4 2023 No. 2 |
|---|---|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
Page 30
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST At 1 April 2023 Additions At 31 March 2024 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 |
Freehold property £ 600,000 29,634 629,634 108,000 12,723 120,723 508,911 492,000 |
Centenary Mosaic £ 4,150 - 4,150 4,150 - 4,150 - - |
Equipment £ 3,782 - 3,782 3,782 - 3,782 - - |
Total £ 607,932 29,634 |
| 637,566 | ||||
| 115,932 12,723 |
||||
| 128,655 | ||||
| 508,911 | ||||
| 492,000 |
The Freehold property, part of the Hume Endowment Fund, is stated at its last valuation plus additional works at cost. Under FRS102 this now regarded as its deemed cost.
Page 31
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| COST At 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2024 REVALUATIONS At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 HISTORICAL COST INVESTMENTS AT COST COMPRISE: 2024 £ Listed investments 777,773 |
Listed securities £ 836,675 10,461 (132,289) |
|---|---|
| 714,847 | |
| - 62,926 |
|
| 62,926 | |
| 777,773 | |
| 836,675 | |
| 847,321 | |
| 2023 £ 836,675 |
All the fixed asset investments are held in the UK and are quoted on the United Kingdom Stock Exchange.
The Investments comprise Income Units managed by COIF and are a mixture of Income and Accumulation Units.
The allocation between the various funds can be found in Note 17.
14. DEBTORS
| Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Tax recoverable |
2024 £ 21,500 5,156 2,783 29,439 |
2023 £ 1,000 4,805 3,207 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,012 |
Page 32
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 4,503 2,722 6,862 3,900 17,987 |
2023 £ - 283 - 3,540 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,823 |
16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS
STATEMENT OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| Balance at 1 April 2023 £ DESIGNATED FUNDS Property & Garden Maintenance Fund 150,000 Running Costs Fund 250,000 Youth education 10,595 Special purposes fund 335 Subsidence & Building Refurbishment 91,620 502,550 GENERAL FUNDS General Funds 118,163 Investments 27,846 146,009 Total Unrestricted funds 648,559 ENDOWMENT FUNDS Hume Endowment Fund 721,724 |
Income Expenditure £ £ - - - - - - - - - (43,190) - (43,190) 75,032 (148,872) - - 75,032 (148,872) 75,032 (192,062) - (12,723) |
Transfers in/out £ (93,455) (70,000) - (335) 63,821 (99,969) 14,448 55,887 70,335 (29,634) 29,634 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - - - - - - - 38,167 38,167 38,167 22,570 |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 56,545 180,000 10,595 - 112,251 359,391 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58,771 121,900 180,671 |
||||
| 540,062 | ||||
| 761,205 |
Page 33
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (continued)
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Finnis Thriving Norwood Walcot West Norwood Cemetary Hume Centenary Education Fund Herbarium Cabinet Rare Books CLIPS Kitchen Grant Norwood Forum Postcode Society Trust Lambeth Social Value Fund National Lottery Awards 4 All Total of funds |
- - - - 56,078 - 1,539 3,619 325 1,083 3,325 9,775 75,744 1,446,027 |
2,000 2,480 14,698 25,475 10,461 2,302 - - - - - - 57,416 132,448 |
(441) (2,480) (600) (3,177) (8,500) (2,302) - - (325) (1,083) (3,325) (9,775) (32,008) (236,793) |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
- - - - 8,400 - - - - - - - 8,400 69,137 |
1,559 - 14,098 22,298 66,439 - 1,539 3,619 - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109,552 | ||||||
| 1,410,819 |
The Property and Garden Maintenance Fund provides reserves to ensure the proper maintenance will always be available to the Institute's Property and Gardens. This will also include certain costs associated with the maintenance.
The Running Costs Fund is to provide reserves to cover the general operations and administration of the Institute. The Trustees will evaluate the fund at the end of each year and make any necessary transfers to or from this fund.
The Subsidence and Building Renovation Fund is to provide a capital reserve to meet costs associated with subsidence repairs and other major renovation projects.
The Trustees acknowledge that these three funds will have a direct impact on the funds available to be used for general development of the Institute but the three designated funds noted above will mitigate the exposure to risks.
The Designated Funds hold the "General Investments" with the balance of the Investments being held in another "General Fund" to enable the "Free Reserves" to be identified more readily.
The Youth Education and the Special purposes funds have been set up to provide reserves for youth work and to fund discretionary projects that may arise on occasions
A key to the restricted funds is shown at the foot of note 6: Direct Costs.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (continued)
STATEMENT OF FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR
| DESIGNATED FUNDS Property & Garden Maintenance Fund Running Costs Fund Youth education Special purposes fund Subsidence & Building Refurbishment GENERAL FUNDS General Funds Investments Total Unrestricted funds Hume Endowment Fund RESTRICTED FUNDS Hume Centenary Education Fund Rare Books CLIPS Kitchen Grant Grow Back Greener Norwood Forum NLHF Lambeth Grow Wild - Slade Green Postcode Society Trust Arts Council England - London Community Foundation Jubilee Fund Lambeth Social Value Fund National Lottery Awards 4 All Natural England |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 150,000 250,000 7,692 335 115,000 523,027 141,391 65,149 729,567 745,779 57,223 1,539 3,619 - 4,955 4,223 600 25,000 - - - - 97,159 |
Income £ - - 2,925 - - 2,925 65,427 - 68,352 - - - - 3,824 1,000 - - - 4,420 15,000 9,910 6,000 40,154 |
Expenditure £ - - (22) - - (22) (120,082) - (120,104) (12,000) - - - - (5,630) - (600) (23,917) (4,420) (11,675) (135) (6,000) (52,377) |
Transfers in/out £ - - - - (23,380) (23,380) 31,427 - 8,047 - - - - (3,824) - (4,223) - - - - - - (8,047) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - - - - - - - (37,303) (37,303) (12,055) (1,145) - - - - - - - - - - - (1,145) |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 150,000 250,000 10,595 335 91,620 502,550 118,163 27,846 648,559 721,724 56,078 1,539 3,619 - 325 - - 1,083 - 3,325 9,775 - 75,744 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS (continued)
Total of funds 1,572,505 108,506 (184,481) - (50,503) 1,446,027
SUMMARY OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| Balance at 1 April 2023 Income Expenditure £ £ £ Designated funds 502,550 - (43,190) General funds 146,009 75,032 (148,872) 648,559 75,032 (192,062) Endowment funds 721,724 - (12,723) Restricted funds 75,744 57,416 (32,008) 1,446,027 132,448 (236,793) SUMMARY OF FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Balance at 1 April 2022 Income Expenditure £ £ £ Designated funds 523,027 2,925 (22) General funds 206,540 65,427 (120,082) 729,567 68,352 (120,104) Endowment funds 745,779 - (12,000) Restricted funds 97,159 40,154 (52,377) 1,572,505 108,506 (184,481) |
Transfers in/out £ (99,969) 70,335 (29,634) 29,634 - - Transfers in/out £ (23,380) 31,427 8,047 - (8,047) - |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - 38,167 38,167 22,570 8,400 69,137 Gains/ (Losses) £ - (37,303) (37,303) (12,055) (1,145) (50,503) |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 359,391 180,671 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 540,062 761,205 109,552 |
|||
| 1,410,819 | |||
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 502,550 146,009 |
|||
| 648,559 721,724 75,744 |
|||
| 1,446,027 |
Page 36
Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR
| Endowment funds 2024 £ Tangible fixed assets 508,911 Fixed asset investments 252,294 Current assets - Creditors due within one year - 761,205 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Endowment funds 2023 £ Tangible fixed assets 492,000 Fixed asset investments 229,724 Current assets - Creditors due within one year - 721,724 18. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS |
Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 2024 £ - - 66,439 459,040 43,271 98,851 (158) (17,829) 109,552 540,062 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 2023 £ - - 56,078 550,873 19,666 101,509 - (3,823) 75,744 648,559 |
Total funds 2024 £ 508,911 777,773 142,122 (17,987) 1,410,819 Total funds 2023 £ 492,000 836,675 121,175 (3,823) 1,446,027 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
At 31 March 2024 the company had capital commitments as follows:
Contracted for but not provided in these financial statements
| 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
| 90,000 | 115,000 |
19. PENSION COMMITMENTS
The company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund through the Auto Enrolment provisions. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £2,272 (2023 - £1,655). Contributions totalling £508 (2023 - £283) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
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Docusign Envelope ID: 8F06F53F-5D56-4FAE-9ACE-41478DB5C3C6
SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
20. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
At 31 March 2024 the total of the charity’s future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases was:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| AMOUNTS PAYABLE: | ||
| Within 1 year | 912 | 912 |
21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the course of the year, membership was 359 (2023 - 401).
One of the Trustees made a short term loan of £6,862 (2023 - £Nil) to the Institute due to a technical issue. No interest was paid and it has been repaid
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