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2025-03-31-accounts

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 2025

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 - 12
Trustees' responsibilities statement 13
Independent examiner's report 14
Statement of financial activities 15
Balance sheet 16
Notes to the financial statements 17 - 33

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 2025

President

Dr M Vorontsova

Trustees

Ms M Russell, Joint Chair Mr M Clarke, Joint Chair Mr E Asamoah, Hon Treasurer Ms M Harakis (resigned 28/10/2024) 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

Page 1

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

This page is intentionally blank

Page 2

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

1. OBJECTIVE, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The South London Botanical Institute (SLBI) is a unique centre for studying botany, rooted in the heart of Tulse Hill, Lambeth. The Charity’s purposes are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. A dedicated research and learning space for studying plants, we champion the vital role plants play in sustaining life and promote their role in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. SLBI connects people of all ages and backgrounds with plants through a range of inclusive, experiential and intergenerational activities, resources and projects both at our historic Tulse Hill home and on/in streets, parks, allotments, estates, schools and other green spaces.

Our staff and volunteers have worked hard to support us to help realise our major aims as laid out in our 2021-2026 business plan:

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 remain 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. In setting fees and charges, the Trustees always give due consideration to the accessibility of the Institute and the affordability of its activities and events.

Significant Activities Throughout the Year

Following more than four-years of closure due to COVID-19 and essential building repairs, the year ending 31[st] March 2025 marked the first time in since April 2020 that the SLBI’s Tulse Hill home was open to the public. We reopened in June 2024 to overwhelming demand. During the year more than 2,700 individuals took part in our free and low-cost programmes. Our activities attracted a diverse audience, with 22% aged 25-40, over 40% identifying as Black, Brown, Multi-ethnic and other ethnicities, and 80% identifying as women. An overwhelming 97% of participants said they would attend future events, showing strong engagement and satisfaction. Our learning opportunities consistently achieved 80-100% capacity, indicating sustained demand for our work. The SLBI’s botanical garden, library, microscopes, and open-access herbarium provided unique tools for exploration, skills development and renewal.

We are now at a pivotal moment with our Director nearing the end of her second year in post and entering her first full year in the building. SLBI is transitioning from a well-loved legacy organisation into a bold, innovative hub for learning about and from plants, key to environmental learning and justice in the city.

Return to and Re-opening the Building

In 2023 and 2024 our ageing building underwent subsidence remediation and other improvements. While remediation was supported by an insurance claim, trustees drew on reserves by selling nonendowed shares and redeeming a portion of our deposit account to support additional essential building works and other ongoing costs. The remedial building work project finished by 31 March 2025.

Page 3

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

Originally anticipated to take a year, the building works required complete closure to the public of our Tulse Hill site for almost 2 years following the Covid lockdown. From a partial reopening to the public in the summer of 2024 we are undertaking a phased 2-year reopening into 2026.The prolonged closure continued to have a considerable impact on our programming and capacity. Unpacking and sorting items returned from storage and reinstatement efforts continued throughout the year, demanding a substantial amount of time, attention and energy from staff and volunteers.

The absence of a structured contents and collections review process over the last 25 years presented an opportunity to begin to sort and assess the organisation’s materials, leading to a clearer understanding of its resources and documentation. The departure of SLBI’s live-in wardens at the end of 2024 and the expansion into their former space has meant both new opportunities for the organisation’s transformation alongside time, costs and labour to ensure we can best utilise this space for the long-term benefit of the charity and its aims.

Our reopening began with a programme of free talks, workshops, and a reading group in partnership with Queen Mary University and Lambeth Libraries. The Where Plants and People Meet programme focused on the intersection of plant studies, the humanities and decolonisation studies, attracting over 130 people to the SLBI over a two-week period, with over 70% being new to our organisation. Our open botanical Glowing Garden had 50 visitors over 2 hours and our invited winter gathering of volunteers and programme contributors saw almost 30 people join us in celebration. Over the year, our off-site project In Memory of Plants , a commission from West Norwood Cemetery as part of their Heritage Lottery project engaged over 150 people in plant-based activities (walks, workshops and talks), 60% of whom had never been to the Cemetery or the Institute before. Alongside this work, our core activities restarted with a programme of school visits, talks, workshops and walks.

Collections and Botanical Garden

In August 2024, the SLBI began an assessment of its herbarium collections and their relationship to the identity of the SLBI. The return of the collections from storage, and associated reconsideration of overall space usage within the building necessitated a broad-based review of the specimen collections, their storage and usage – particularly in the light of organisational objectives related to accessibility of collections and making the Institute more financially resilient. We began to identify and collate information that exists about the collections along with assessing the state of the collections themselves.

As part of this work, a collection-level assessment was undertaken by Dr. Mark Spencer, in his fixedterm role as SLBI’s Herbarium Curator in Residence. Alongside this, staff and volunteers were trained in handling collections and identifying pest damage. Spencer’s report will be produced in summer 2025 outlining the status, opportunities and challenges related to the management and usage of the Herbarium at the SLBI.

10 volunteers supported this undertaking by unpacking the collection and offering context on previous work done on the collections and supporting materials. Physical reallocation of collection material within the building formed part of this work.

In February 2025 we launched a new volunteer project focused on cataloguing the SLBI’s British and Irish Vascular Plant collection by vice-counties, so we can better locate the geographic coverage of a particular species. 17 volunteers took part in the first two sessions, developing skills in handling and curation. We have a substantial number of volunteers who have expressed interest in joining the project in 2025-2026.

Our garden continued to be maintained throughout the year, and we trialled staff workdays, where team members worked alongside the SLBI gardeners on specific tasks. This trial was preparation to pilot a new volunteer strand of activity in the garden in 2025-26. SLBI gardeners have done excellent work in maintaining the garden.

Page 4

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

We have identified the need to refresh and update the curation of both the garden and the library as we consider the role of both collections in relation to the identity of the institute.

In June and October 2024, we ran four open access library sessions and one library workshop and had 24 users. We were also able to fulfil 3 library users and 2 herbarium researcher requests to use our resources.

Looking Forward

We are committed to increasing access to our herbarium and other collection resources. In 2025-26 we will further develop the volunteer project focused on cataloguing the SLBI’s British and Irish Vascular Plants. In particular, the project is interested in bringing to light to what extent the herbarium specimens cover London and the surrounding areas. We will develop further curriculum opportunities in relation to this strand of activity.

We have identified the need for more efficient storage of herbarium collections and anticipate further reallocation of material will be necessary in 2025-2026.

Next year we will begin to explore how best to develop our garden and library collections and to open opportunities for volunteers and curriculum development in relation to these resources.

Membership

At the end of March 2025, there were 286 members of the SLBI, down from 324 members in 2024. 52 members requested and received seeds over May 2024. We published and distributed our member’s Gazette in Winter 2025.

Over this year, we undertook an initial review of our membership system and centralised membership records into a single database. SLBI’s membership was historically run in large part through an annual payments system. As part of our initial review of membership mid-year we identified this as a risk to be addressed in 2025-26. In February 2025 the provider withdrew the facility and we were forced to be reactive rather than proactive in our work on a new membership payment system.

Moving to a new system was done quickly and successfully, in large part because of the swift and creative work of staff. However, this move has negatively impacted membership numbers.

Looking forward

We anticipate that membership numbers will continue to drop in 2025-26 as the change above means some memberships will not be renewed automatically. We will invest time and resources to retain members and to increase new members. We will also look at our membership offer so we can launch a refreshed offer in October 2026 following the end of our two-year reopening process.

Learning Programmes and Events: Formal and Informal

We held a wide range of formal and informal learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Alongside the two large partnership projects we ran with Queen Mary University and West Norwood Cemetery, in 2024-2025 we ran 7 surveys, 14 walks, 12 events, 23 workshops, 11 talks and welcomed 14 schools, all achieving 80-100% capacity. We held 8 open days plus our annual plant sale.

Page 5

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

Children, Families and Young People

In July 2024 we relaunched our schools programme at initially reduced capacity (compared to preclosure numbers). By March 2025, our programme was running at full capacity and was fully booked. 735 pupils attended our primary school programme this year. All our workshops are interactive, sensory and hands-on and linked to the national curriculum across Science, Art and History. We run a range of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 workshops focused on habitats, edible plants, the world of flowering plants and plant classification. This year we also reviewed our current offerings for schools.

We launched RHYZE: For Your Future (Walcot Foundation Funded) at the end of the year, welcoming 8 young people (18-25 years) from Lambeth on low incomes into a 12-week learning and workplacement project focused on urban botany, ecological citizenship and folklore.

Over the past year, we’ve supported 15 families seeking asylum to participate in nature-based activities, helping them connect to nature and their new communities while promoting mental health and social inclusion.

Feedback:

Thank you so much. The children really enjoyed their day. The learning supported the science topic taught to the children this term and they were engaged and focused for all of SLBI’s activities.

-Teacher, Key Stage 1

It was super engaging and age appropriate. The hands-on seed experience and microscope activity was great.

-Teacher, Key Stage 2

The best thing was looking at the plants in the street. I am 5, so I always want to learn more about everything.

Adults and children alike came out buzzing after a ram-packed few hours of learning how to grow, nurture plants and create art with plants. The fact that the days were multi-sensory really added to people’s enjoyment!

-Lewis Garland Fences and Frontiers

Workshops and Events

We trialled and developed a new low-cost course, Identifying Pavement plants for Absolute Beginners, in collaboration with 8 volunteers. Our regular programme of talks, walks and workshops included our new In Dialogue series, focused on conversations between plant researchers and nature practitioners.

The London Project (see above) is a popular skills-building volunteer curatorial project based in our British and Irish herbarium that started in February 2025.

Page 6

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

Feedback:

Great fun grouping the different plants by family and learning about the similarities between them. I want to learn more about colonial impacts historically and today on plant trades and botanical collections and what's being done today to bring awareness to it.

-Participant, Turning Leaves course

Relaxed and joyful session. A perfect mixture of creativity and botanical learning.

-Participant, ‘Spells and Science’ course

It was a welcoming and interesting event that allowed me to see a deeper connection with wild plants in the city.

-Attendee, ‘How to be an urban botanist’ talk

Offsite Learning and Surveys

We ran a series of plant surveys in South London (West Norwood Cemetery, St. Leonard’s Churchyard, Mitcham Common and Brockwell Park) along with an Orchid Survey in 2024. We shared findings with local councils to advocate for habitat conservation efforts. We continued to run a programme of walks on Mitcham Common with Mitcham Common Education Trust along with other streets and green spaces in South London and beyond.

Work and University Placements

In 2024, we supported 4 young people under 25 in work placements on-site at SLBI, providing them with valuable work experience that boosted their confidence, communication skills and understanding of botany.

Looking Forward

In 2025/26 we will focus on developing our adult curriculum in relation to our collections. We will focus on London, urban botany, ‘weeds’ and ecological citizenship. We will implement developments in our school’s curriculum and expand our families’ activities.

Partnerships

We partnered with the London Natural History Society, Croydon Natural History Society and Mitcham Common Education Trust to deliver walks and surveys. We partnered with Queen Mary University and Kew to run free public talk and workshop programmes to make specialist research accessible to learners. In Memory of Plants was commissioned in partnership with LB Lambeth as part of West Norwood Cemetery’s New Beginnings Heritage Lottery project.

Looking Forward

At the end of the financial year, we were awarded funding to run Nurturing Nature Project (June 2025 for 1 year) with Incredible Edible Lambeth, Nature Vibezzz, Advocacy Academy and our local Primary Care Network. This is a plant-focused health and network-building project that will take place across Lambeth and is primarily supported by Lambeth’s Changing Lives Fund and the PCN. We are committed to working in partnership and continue to forge relationships with organisations working on local, city-wide and national scales.

Page 7

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

Hires

Over spring and summer 2024 we were able to test out models for community and private hires, allowing us to both generate revenue and support community learning and organising. We raised over £5,000 in hires which included community hires (e.g. Acorn Lambeth, Advocacy Academy) and private hires (book launch, birthday parties).

Looking Forward

We anticipate that with prudent investment, development and planning over the next 2-3 years hires could serve as an important source of unrestricted income. This would be both from event hires and longer-term residency hires. We are investing in the building, facilities and planning so we will be in a position near the end of the 2025-2026 financial year to capitalise on this opportunity.

Funders and Supporters

The trustees are grateful to those who funded and supported our activities during the year, in particular: Finnis Scott, Walcot Foundation, West Norwood Cemetery (Lambeth Council), City Bridge Trust, Queen Mary, Brockwell Live Community Fund, Kew Grow Wild, CLIPS (Lambeth), Lambeth Social Value Fund and Queen Mary.

This year we ran a match funding drive alongside our ongoing donations. We would like to offer thanks to everyone who donated to the SLBI this year and to our champion match funder for their support.

Our volunteers played an important role in developing and delivering high quality learning opportunities. Our volunteer programme also plays a critical role in fostering a sense of community. This year, we had 34 volunteers who contributed to the success of our schools' programme and public events. Volunteers not only gained practical skills but also reported improved mental wellbeing and increased social connections.

We would also like to thank our staff, freelancers and volunteers for their work this year. We deeply appreciate your hard work. The charity could not operate without your dedication.

2. FINANCIAL REVIEW

In 2024-2025 we largely concentrated on our return to the building and the operating model needed to meet our aims and to be open to the public in a sustainable way. This has required a significant amount of professional planning and investment to relaunch after such a long period of closure. The Institute opened 3 months into the financial year while the last of the physical works, unpacking, sorting and initial reassessment of our collections continued to take place throughout the year. The review of materials and resources to assess the organisation’s assets and records and the additional space available to the institute have offered an opportunity to reassess possibilities for future development.

The charity reported a deficit of £228,258 in the year ended 31 March 2025 before revaluing its investments. At the year-end, changes in the Stock Exchange resulted in an unrealised deficit on the Company's investments of £22,662.

The charity incurred £85,212 of costs in relation to the repair and reinstatement issues which were thrown into relief during the subsidence work. We anticipate further modest costs in 2025-2026 relating this project to be met from general funds.

Total incoming resources decreased from £132,448 to £98,790. Gaps in operational management and oversight, meant the Director dedicated significant time to locating and understanding resources and building-based processes. This further hindered the organisation’s ability to generate revenue during an unprecedented transition period.

Page 8

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

There was a change in income areas as seen in note 5 of the annual accounts as income from hires increased. Smaller donations increased this year, but the charity received few major donations. Despite the challenges in raising unrestricted income, the charity maintained support from funders and partners, although at a reduced level, and was able to meet its charitable objectives.

Costs associated with reshaping the organisation brought with it additional staff expenditure. Key resources of the charity like the herbarium and garden, which had been historically under-resourced, received modest investment. We anticipate further investment is needed for these and other resources and others to support our aim to make our building and collections accessible and resilient into the future.

Trustees planned both for the additional costs and the potential for lower income and agreed to sell some non-endowed investments to support this work. This action safeguarded the completion of the building works and the charity’s cashflow. It has had some negative impact on investment income.

The trustees have planned to utilise further reserves to cover operational costs over the period of organisational transition from the building’s closure for subsidence work in 2023 to the end two-year reopening process in Autumn 2026. This is in order to consolidate our investment to date into the building, infrastructure and staffing for the future of the charity. Trustees have agreed a three year plan to reduce the operating deficits and are working on a financial plan to achieve income growth and build sustainable reserves within the next five years.

At the year end, the funds of the charity totalled £1,159,899 summarised as:

The charity continues to hold all its investments with CCLA (COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund).

The assets of the charity are made up as follows:

General Funds

The total general funds of £325,065 at 31 March 2025 included Designated reserves of £210,595 and are shown in Note 16 and include:

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SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

ii. Restricted Funds

Restricted funds of £97,055 at 31 March 2025. Income from the Hume Education Centenary Fund was utilised to support the charities activities including the development and delivery of educational activities for children and young people 16-25.

iii. Endowments

At 31 March 2025, the endowments totalled £737,779 comprising: the historic building and its garden, with a net book value of £496,188 reduced by amortisation of £12,723 and investments totalling £241,591. The endowments benefit the SLBI through the use of the building and the income from the investments, The SLBI cannot realise the endowment capital.

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 organisation continues to utilise its financial reserves strategically to address deficits and to enable a transformative development in its operations. The building project costs, appointment of new leadership and review of resources have been an investment in this future development. The trustees are mid-way through a 3-year plan that will enable a phased return of the utilised reserves. This plan includes the development of a new business plan to begin in 2026-27 which integrates lessons learned during this period of change. It 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 2025.

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. 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:

This results in a free reserves target of £50,000.

The greater part of general funds is designated for specific purposes and to mitigate risks. At 31[st] March 2025 the general fund (excluding designations) was £114,470, which exceeds the target level.

This reserve 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.

Page 10

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

3. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The SLBI is a registered charity and a 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.

The Trustees role is to determine the mission, policy and strategy of the SLBI. Trustees 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 2025 Annual General Meeting, the following Trustees will retire in accordance with the rotation, but being eligible will offer themselves for re-election:

Oliver Parsons, Susan Simmonds, Maria Vorontsova.

Melanie Harakis resigned in this year. We thank her for her service to the SLBI.

Trustees meet regularly, are not paid for their services and have no financial interest in the company. In addition to quarterly trustee meetings, the Finance Subcommittee, chaired by the Treasurer, is comprised of trustees and meets quarterly. The Governance group, comprised of trustees, meets twice a year and when needed on specific matters.

The charity employs one full time member of staff, three part-time members of staff and several parttime freelancers. The charity is supported in its activities by our volunteers.

Risk management

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 as part of the Governance group agenda and this is seen as integral to the achievement of our strategic goals. The Trustees are satisfied that we have a formal review procedure in place to consider new and emerging risks.

Risks with the highest potential impact:

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.

The charity is managing 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. 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 easily accessible investments, the Trustees consider this satisfactory.

4. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN

The Institute holds no funds as a custodian.

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SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 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 29 October 2025

Page 12

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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:

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.

Page 13

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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 2025.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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

  4. 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: 29 October 2025

P M Landergan FCA.

Landergan & Co. 26 Burney Street, London, SE10 8EX

Page 14

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Endowment
funds
Note
2025
£
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 EXPENDITURE BEFORE
INVESTMENT
GAINS/(LOSSES)
(12,723)
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
(10,703)
NET EXPENDITURE BEFORE
OTHER RECOGNISED
GAINS AND LOSSES
(23,426)
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(CONTINUED)
(23,426)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward
761,205
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD
737,779		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
39,673
17,876
-
5,961
-
19,888
1,692
13,700
41,365
57,425
-
7,050
52,883
254,392
52,883
261,442
(11,518)
(204,017)
(979)
(10,980)
(12,497)
(214,997)
(12,497)
(214,997)
109,552
540,062
97,055
325,065		 Total
funds
2025
£
57,549
5,961
19,888
15,392
98,790
7,050
319,998
327,048
(228,258)
(22,662)
(250,920)
(250,920)
1,410,819
1,159,899		 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)
1,446,027
1,410,819

The notes on pages 17 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 116643

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

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		 £
37,708
27,429
65,137
(17,537)		 2025
£
496,188
616,111
1,112,299
47,600
1,159,899
737,779
97,055
325,065
1,159,899		 £
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

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 29 October 2025 and signed on their behalf, by:

Mr E Asamoah Hon Treasurer

Ms M Russell Co - Chair

The notes on pages 17 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 16

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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.

Page 17

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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 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.

Page 18

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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:

Page 19

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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.

Page 20

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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
2025
£
Grants and Donations
-
Statutory Grants
-
Total donations and legacies
-
Total 2024
-		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
39,673
17,876
-
-
39,673
17,876
55,114
33,496		 Total
funds
2025
£
57,549
-
57,549
88,610		 Total
funds
2024
£
86,308
2,302
88,610

3. FUNDRAISING INCOME

Endowment
funds
2025
£
Plant and other sales
-
-
Total 2024
-		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
-
5,961
-
5,961
-
6,559		 Total
funds
2025
£
5,961
5,961
6,559		 Total
funds
2024
£
6,559
6,559

Page 21

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4. INVESTMENT INCOME

Endowment
funds
2025
£
Investment income -
investment properties
-
Investment income - listed
investments
-
Investment income - cash
-
-
Total 2024
-
OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES
Endowment
funds
2025
£
Subscriptions
-
Course fees received
-
Hire charges
-
-
Total 2024
-		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
-
3,227
-
16,532
-
129
-
19,888
-
24,924
Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
-
7,107
-
3,090
1,692
3,503
1,692
13,700
-
12,355		 Total
funds
2025
£
3,227
16,532
129
19,888
24,924
Total
funds
2025
£
7,107
3,090
5,195
15,392
12,355		 Total
funds
2024
£
3,165
20,980
779
24,924
Total
funds
2024
£
8,008
4,147
200
12,355

5. OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES

Page 22

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6. DIRECT COSTS

Gardeners' fees
Program Costs
Wages and
salaries
Total 2024
Gardeners' fees
Program Costs
Wages and salaries
Total 2024		 Operations
£
18,361
24,136
67,239
109,736
83,164
L S V
£
-
-
-
-
3,095		 H C EF
£
-
438
2,975
3,413
8,500
NLA4A
£
-
-
-
-
9,297		 Walcot
£
-
416
5,260
5,676
600
P S
£
-
-
-
-
1,083		 W N C
£
-
12,356
8,463
20,819
3,177
Total
2025
£
18,665
41,825
90,626
151,116
112,105		 Smaller
Projects
£
304
4,479
6,689
11,472
3,189
Total
2024
£
17,451
12,661
81,993
112,105

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 Cemetery, Smaller Projects contains funds of less than £10,000.

.

Page 23

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7.
SUPPORT COSTS
Major Repairs
Office Costs
Bank charges
Light & heat
Building rates &
insurance
Wages and
salaries
National
insurance
Pension cost
Depreciation
Total 2024
Major Repairs
Office Costs
Bank charges
Light & heat
Building rates & insurance
Wages and salaries
National insurance
Pension cost
Depreciation
Total 2024		 Operations
84,161
9,852
924
1,199
4,123
31,518
6,226
2,614
-
140,617
91,579
WNC
£
-
7,368
-
-
-
1,179
-
-
-
8,547
67		 H C E F
Endowment
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
525
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,723
525
12,723
-
12,723
Smaller
Projects
NLA4A
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
478
220		 Walcot
-
-
-
-
-
928
-
-
-
928
-
Total
2025
£
84,161
17,228
924
1,199
4,123
35,643
6,226
2,614
12,723
164,841
-		 W N C
-
8
-
-
-
1,493
-
-
-
1,501
-
Total
2024
£
43,190
9,129
674
4,862
7,734
19,540
4,943
2,272
12,723
105,067

£ NIL (2024 - £NIL) included within the table above in respect of Queen Mary.

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 Cemetery, Smaller Projects contains funds of less than £10,000.

.

Page 24

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. GOVERNANCE COSTS

GOVERNANCE COSTS
Endowment
funds
2025
£
Independent examiners fee
-
Professional fees
-
-		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
-
3,900
-
141
-
4,041		 Total
funds
2025
£
3,900
141
4,041		 Total
funds
2024
£
3,300
9,225
12,525

9. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

This is stated after charging:

2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:
- owned by the charity 12,723 12,723
Independent examiners fees - Accounts Examination 3,900 3,300
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 £3,900 (2024 - £3,300), and payroll services of £ 540(2024 - £540).

Page 25

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11. STAFF COSTS

Staff costs were as follows:
2025
£
Wages and salaries
132,572
Social security costs
6,226
Other pension costs
2,614
141,412
The average number of persons employed by the company during the year was as follows:
2025
No.
Project delivery and Administration
4
Average headcount expressed as a full time equivalent:
2025
No.
Project delivery and Administration
4
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.		 2024
£
105,155
4,943
2,272
112,370

2024
No.
6
2024
No.
4

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Freehold
property
£
629,634
120,723
12,723
133,446
496,188
508,911		 Centenary
Mosaic
£
4,150
4,150
-
4,150
-
-		 Equipment
£
3,782
3,782
-
3,782
-
-		 Total
£
637,566
128,655
12,723
141,378
496,188
508,911

Page 26

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS (continued)

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.

13. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

COST
At 1 April 2024
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
REVALUATIONS
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
HISTORICAL COST
INVESTMENTS AT COST COMPRISE:
2025
£
Listed investments
616,111		 Listed
securities
£
714,847
(138,786)
576,061
62,926
(22,876)
40,050
616,111
777,773
576,061
2024
£
777,773

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.

Page 27

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14. DEBTORS

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Tax recoverable		 2025
£
27,987
7,971
1,750
37,708		 2024
£
21,500
5,156
2,783
29,439

15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
10,818
2,278
-
4,441
17,537		 2024
£
4,503
2,722
6,862
3,900
17,987

16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS

STATEMENT OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR

Balance at
1 April 2024
£
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Property & Garden
Maintenance Fund
56,545
Running Costs Fund
180,000
Youth education
10,595
Subsidence & Building
Refurbishment
112,251
359,391
GENERAL FUNDS
General Funds
58,771
Investments
121,900
180,671
Total Unrestricted funds
540,062		 Income Expenditure
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(85,212)
-
(85,212)
57,425
(176,016)
-
(214)
57,425
(176,230)
57,425
(261,442)		 Transfers
in/out
£
(6,545)
(30,000)
-
(27,039)
(63,584)
174,290
(110,706)
63,584
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(10,980)
(10,980)
(10,980)		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
50,000
150,000
10,595
-
210,595
114,470
-
114,470
325,065

Page 28

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Hume Endowment Fund
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Finnis
Walcot
West Norwood Cemetery
Hume Centenary
Education Fund
City Bridge
Rare Books
CLIPS Kitchen Grant
Grow Wild
Queen Mary
Brockwell Live
Lambeth Social Value
Total of funds		 761,205
1,559
14,098
22,298
66,439
-
1,539
3,619
-
-
-
-
109,552
1,410,819		 -
-
-
22
-
2,697
-
3,619
500
8,027
1,500
25,000
41,365
98,790		 (12,723)
(1,559)
(6,604)
(22,320)
(3,938)
(2,697)
-
(7,238)
(500)
(8,027)
-
-
(52,883)
(327,048)		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 (10,703)
-
-
-
(979)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(979)
(22,662)		 737,779
-
7,494
-
61,522
-
1,539
-
-
-
1,500
25,000
97,055
1,159,899

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.

Page 29

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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
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		 Balance at
1 April 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
1,446,027		 Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
75,032
-
75,032
-
2,000
2,480
14,698
25,475
10,461
2,302
-
-
-
-
-
-
57,416
132,448		 Expenditure
£
-
-
-
-
(43,190)
(43,190)
(148,872)
-
(192,062)
(12,723)
(441)
(2,480)
(600)
(3,177)
(8,500)
(2,302)
-
-
(325)
(1,083)
(3,325)
(9,775)
(32,008)
(236,793)		 Transfers
in/out
£
(93,455)
(70,000)
-
(335)
63,821
(99,969)
14,448
55,887
(29,634)
29,634
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
38,167
38,167
22,570
-
-
-
-
8,400
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,400
69,137		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
56,545
180,000
10,595
-
112,251
359,391
58,771
121,900
540,062
761,205
1,559
-
14,098
22,298
66,439
-
1,539
3,619
-
-
-
-
109,552
1,410,819

Page 30

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

(A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

SUMMARY OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR

Balance at
1 April 2024
Income Expenditure
£
£
£
Designated funds
359,391
-
(85,212)
General funds
180,671
57,425
(176,230)
540,062
57,425
(261,442)
Endowment funds
761,205
-
(12,723)
Restricted funds
109,552
41,365
(52,883)
1,410,819
98,790
(327,048)
SUMMARY OF FUNDS - PRIOR 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)		 Transfers
in/out
£
(63,584)
63,584
-
-
-
-
Transfers
in/out
£
(99,969)
70,335
(29,634)
29,634
-
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
(10,980)
(10,980)
(10,703)
(979)
(22,662)
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
38,167
38,167
22,570
8,400
69,137		 Balance at
31 March
2025
£
210,595
114,470
325,065
737,779
97,055
1,159,899
Balance at
31 March
2024
£
359,391
180,671
540,062
761,205
109,552
1,410,819

17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR

Endowment
funds

2025
£
Tangible fixed assets
496,188
Fixed asset investments
241,591
Current assets
-
Creditors due within one year
-
737,779		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
2025
£
-
-
61,522
312,998
35,533
29,604
-
(17,537)
97,055
325,065		 Total
funds
2025
£
496,188
616,111
65,137
(17,537)
1,159,899

Page 31

(A company limited by guarantee)

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS (continued)

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR

Endowment
funds
2024
£
Tangible fixed assets
508,911
Fixed asset investments
252,294
Current assets
-
Creditors due within one year
-
761,205		 Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
2024
£
-
-
66,439
459,040
43,271
98,851
(158)
(17,829)
109,552
540,062		 Total
funds
2024
£
508,911
777,773
142,122
(17,987)
1,410,819

18. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

At 31 March 2025 the company had capital commitments as follows:

At 31 March 2025 the company had capital commitments as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Contracted for but not provided in these financial statements - 90,000

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 (2024 - £1,655). Contributions totalling £508 (2024 - £283) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.

20. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

At 31 March 2025 the total of the charity’s future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases was:

2025 2024
£ £
AMOUNTS PAYABLE:
Within 1 year 456 912

Page 32

SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE (A company limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the course of the year, membership was 286 (2023/24 - 324) and each Trustee is also a member though they receive no additional benefits for being a Trusteee.

On 31 March 2024 due to a technical issue with the bank one of the Trustees had made a short term loan of £6,862 to the Institute which was interest free and was cleared, no amounts are due at 31 March 2025.

Page 33