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2022-12-31-accounts

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society

Annual Report and Financial Statements

31 December 2022

Company Limited by Guarantee Registration Number 00057374 (England and Wales) Charity Registration Number 218951

Contents

Reports
Reference and administrative details 1
Report of the trustees 2
Independent auditor’s report 11
Financial statements
Statement of financial activities 16
Balance sheet 17
Statement of cash flows 18
Principal accounting policies 19
Notes to the financial statements 24

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society

Reference and administrative details

Trustee management board Rt Rev. P Hendricks (Chairman) Rev. David Elliott Mrs C A Gates Mrs K Nash (resigned 12 June 2023) Dr W O’Neill Mr L Parsons QC Rev. Dr A Pinsent CEO, Publisher and Company Mr Pierpaolo Finaldi Secretary Registered office 40-46 Harleyford Road Vauxhall London SE11 5AY Company registration number 00057374 (England and Wales) Charity registration number 218951 Auditor Buzzacott LLP 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL Principal bankers The Royal Bank of Scotland plc 24 Grosvenor Place London SW1X 7HN Solicitors Fox Williams LLP, Solicitors 10 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1AF

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 1

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

The trustees present their report together with the financial statements of The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society (the ‘Society’, ‘Charity’ or ‘CTS’) for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and constitutes a directors’ report for the purposes of company legislation.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies on pages 19 to 23 of the attached financial statements and comply with the charitable company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, applicable laws and the requirements of 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Our mission, aims and activities

Our mission

The Mission of the Society is to carry out its apostolate of Catholic publishing and distribution for the benefit of the Catholic and wider Christian community, and of a wider body of general enquirers. The Mission of the Society is also to disseminate Catholic publications at reasonable prices. The Society receives financial and spiritual support from the Catholic community to carry out its work. In pursuit of its charitable aims during 2022, the Society sought to develop its publications, to distribute them widely and actively to contribute to the life of the Church. The Society made efforts to care for its resources, including staff, suppliers, customers and supporters.

Our objectives

The Charity’s main objects, as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association are:

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 2

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Our mission, aims and activities (continued)

Activities and relevant policies

These objects are achieved through the principal activity of the Society, which is the publishing and disseminating of low-priced doctrinal, scriptural and educational works, assisting all Catholics to a better knowledge of their religion, spreading amongst nonCatholics information about the faith, and assisting the circulation of Catholic books and other audio, audio visual and electronic media.

Each of these activities has the principal aim of spreading knowledge of the Christian faith as widely as is possible within the United Kingdom, and increasingly to other English speaking constituencies as well. They serve the practising Catholic community, parishes, families, colleges and schools, as well as the wider groupings of general enquirers of other faiths and none. Such materials as these raise interest in the Catholic faith, the Society’s apostolate and gain new supporters, enabling the Society to continue its charitable work.

In setting the Society’s objectives and planning its activities, the trustees have given consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and performance

Publishing

A total of 150,000 books and booklets were distributed by the Society to parishes and individual and trade customers alike (an increase of 18,000 on 2021). An additional 40,000 books, documents and overstock items were distributed to Catholic schools in Malawi via a collaboration with the Krizevac Project.

CTS issued 15 new publications in 2022: four A6 booklets, one intermediate format book, two other books, two illustrated picture books, four new Vatican Documents, a People’s Missal and a calendar.

Two books were published on the priesthood, one in association with the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy which was mailed to every priest in the country and a second - a translation by the highly respected and popular author of many spiritual books Cardinal Robert Sarah.

Our Lenten publications did very well and our Sacramental coursebooks and resources especially in the Youcat series sold particularly well as Parishes fully reopened following the Pandemic.

After careful research and technical preparation, CTS launched its first 10 Print on Demand titles through the Lightning Source Platform. This will allow us to keep important but slow-moving titles in the catalogue without tying up valuable resources in slow moving stock.

CTS Audio was also launched with the first three audio titles making our texts available in this increasingly important format for the first time. Titles on the recently canonised St Titus Brandsma and St Charles de Foucauld and Edith Stein were released in a podcast form on Apple, Spotify and other platforms.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 3

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Achievements and performance (continued)

Organisation

Staffing levels have increased slightly with one freelance contractor taken on as an employee. An external agency has been engaged to help with web marketing and PR for new publications

Fundraising

CTS received £798,626 (2021 – £157,809) in voluntary income including three large legacies. Micro-donations and top up donations and the Advent Appeal were slightly down on 2021, anecdotally due to the financial squeeze on our donor demographic with a total of £67,220 in 2022 (2021 – £79,944).

Financial report for the year

Results for the year

Total income for the year amounted to £1,721,906 (2021 – £1,021,443). Publishing sales during 2022 amounted to £912,648 (2021 – £855,754). Also included within income are legacies receivable amounting to £731,406 (2021 – £77,865). Total income from donations and legacies for the year was £798,626 (2021 – £157,809).

Total expenditure amounted to £1,012,411 (2021 – £945,066). The surplus for the year, before actuarial movements on the defined benefit pension scheme liability, was £709,495 (2021 – £76,377).

Reserves policy

An important feature of the Society’s work and charitable aims is that in pursuing its religious publishing, distribution and retailing it must engage directly in trading activities, which involve not insignificant elements of risk. The Society uses what trading income and non-trading income it receives to further its charitable activities.

An important feature of the Society’s work and charitable aims is that in pursuing its religious publishing, distribution and retailing it must engage directly in trading activities, which involve not insignificant elements of risk. The Society uses what trading income and non-trading income it receives to further its charitable activities.

Planning permission for the latest redevelopment plans for St Anne’s Settlement has been submitted but delays with the Planning Department of Lambeth Council mean vacant possession will not be required until at least Quarter 2 of 2024. CTS will look to relocate in good time with an option in place for CTS to return to the building at St Anne’s when it has been completed. Designated funds for this relocation of £75,000 (2020 – £75,000) have been set aside for this purpose.

The Society’s reserves policy aims to strike a balance between having sufficient funds to pursue vigorously its charitable objective of publishing and distributing good Catholic resources on the one hand, and the need to maintain some kind of provision against unforeseen misfortune, on the other. The trustees are of the opinion that the size of such a buffer should be approximately equal to at least three months’ unrestricted cash expenditure.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 4

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Financial report for the year (continued)

Financial position

The balance sheet shows total funds of £1,522,622 (2021 – £718,127).

Funds restricted to specific purposes amounted to £11,139 (2021 – £16,057).

Funds totalling £75,000 (2021 – £75,000) have been designated, or set aside, by the trustees for specific purposes. These purposes and an analysis of the movements on the funds are set out in note 14 to the financial statements.

General funds of the Charity at 31 December 2022 were £1,436,483 (2021 – £823,070). Offset against general funds is a pension reserve of £nil (2021 – £196,000). At 31 December 2022 the Charity had ‘free reserves’ of £1,419,895 (2021 – £807,068) being the unrestricted general funds after deducting the net book value of tangible fixed assets i.e. £16,588 (2021 – £16,002).

Whilst the level of free reserves exceeds three months’ unrestricted cash expenditure, the trustees are conscious of the need for up-front investment for the Revised Lectionary project in 2023 and 2024 (see future plans below). The increased free reserves at 31 December 2022, resulting principally from the 2022 legacy income, will enable such investment without the need to obtain short term finance from third parties. Therefore, the trustees believe that the charity’s free reserves as at 31 December 2022 are adequate but not excessive. The trustees will remain vigilant, especially during the current period of high inflation, managing cash flow, reserves and expenditure on print and other capital projects to mitigate the impact of the reduction in orders.

Plans for the future

The Bishops Conference of England and Wales and of Scotland officially announced the appointment of CTS as publishers of the Revised Lectionary in early 2021 and work has begun in earnest on the project with a provisional completion date of Advent 2024. This is an even larger project than the 2011 Missal and is an exciting challenge for the Society and its staff. This will involve CTS in considerable preparatory work and investment of time in 2023/24, but presents a great opportunity to provide significant volumes of high quality new publications to the Catholic community in England and Wales and Scotland. The new lectionary affects a significant proportion of the CTS’s backlist and, in the interim, it will be necessary to run down related titles until the new text is available.

CTS will be involved in the effort to prepare Parishes to welcome the new text including the training of Lectors and readers, and will be working with the relevant departments of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales and Scotland to prepare resources.

CTS will continue to expand its offering in the audio sector and will be producing more multimedia content in the form of podcasts aimed at the those wishing to deepen their Faith and those at the beginning of their journey. CTS will also be producing more original illustrated content for children and engaging with current topics such as Artificial Intelligence and Social Media.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 5

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Governance, structure and management

Governance

The company, which is limited by guarantee (Company Registration No. 00057374 (England and Wales) ), is registered for charitable purposes with the Charity Commission (Charity Registration No. 218951).

The trustees are the directors of the Society for the purposes of company law.

The Trustee Management Board is currently made up of the Chairman and six members and meets quarterly to review the activities of the Society; the meetings are also attended by the CEO and Publisher. The trustees review up to date management accounts and business plans. They regularly receive a management report from the CEO and Publisher on progress in key areas of the Society’s apostolate, principally publishing, distribution and fundraising. Progress is monitored against an annual plan containing key objectives, activities and targets. The trustees periodically review staffing, training, the Society’s risk register, pension provisions and liabilities, as well as major strategic projects requiring significant investment or otherwise central to the apostolate.

A sub-committee reviews salary proposals made by the CEO and Publisher each year. The process is informed by the Society’s own salary review policy, performance management process and comparative data from the voluntary and private sectors.

Each trustee has responsibility for monitoring the Charity’s activities in specific areas and the skills mix of the members is reviewed regularly to ensure that the trustees have all the necessary skills and experience required to support the management team and the Charity’s best development.

New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees after a formal recruitment process, supplemented by consultation with their advisers and the Catholic community. Thereafter, a candidate is invited to attend up to two trustees’ meetings to gain knowledge of the Society’s work and the level of commitment and expertise it requires. Following this, the trustees may confirm the appointment, which is initially for a term of three years. Members may be reappointed for further terms. Trustees bring their own considerable professional experience and relevant skill sets for the benefit of the Society. Information on trustee responsibilities, made available for example by the Charity Commission, is circulated from time to time to the trustees.

The following trustees were in office during the year ended 31 December 2022:

Trustee Resigned
Rt Rev. Paul Hendricks (Chairman)
Rev. David Elliott
Mrs Carrie Ann Gates
Mrs Kate Nash 12 June 2023
Dr William O’Neill
Mr Luke Parsons QC
Rev. Dr Andrew Pinsent

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 6

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Governance (continued)

Company secretary

Mr Pierpaolo Finaldi

No trustee received any remuneration in respect of their services as a trustee during the year (2021 – £nil). No trustees received reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses (2021 – £nil). One trustee received commission of £964 (2021 – £731) in respect of books written for CTS prior to becoming a trustee.

No trustee had any other beneficial interest in any contract with the Charity during the year.

Brief biographical details of each of the trustees who served during the year are given below.

Rt Rev. Paul Hendricks (Chairman), MA (Oxon), PhL is a Roman Catholic Bishop, a former Seminary Bursar, and former Parish Priest with several years’ experience of overseeing parish finances.

Rev. David Elliott is a priest of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, Priest for the Reading Ordinariate Mission and the Head of Theology at The Oratory School.

Carrie Ann Gates (Treasurer), is a finance manager specialising in insurance accounting with many years’ experience in financial and management controls, planning and reporting. She is very active in a local Catholic parish and an enthusiastic member of Girlguiding as a multi-sectional leader and county advisor.

Dr William O’Neill was educated in Manchester and Loughborough. He is a graduate of a number of Universities and has a PhD in Software Engineering. He has worked for large multinationals, public and charity sectors leading IT and business change programmes, most recently as Chief Technology Officer for the National Childbirth Trust.

Luke Parsons QC is a barrister specialising in Commercial Law.

Rev. Andrew Pinsent is a Research Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Research Director of the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at Oxford University. A philosopher, theologian, priest, former businessman and former high energy physicist at CERN, he is a contributor via the media and his work in schools to public engagement with science, faith and the big questions of life.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 7

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The Charity’s trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) is responsible for preparing the annual report and 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 which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the income and expenditure of the Charity for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity 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 Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Each of the trustees confirms that:

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 8

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Liability of the members

The liability of the members is limited by guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up during the period of membership or within the year following, members are each required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Organisational structure

The CEO and Publisher has responsibility for the day to day management of the Society’s business and reports to the trustees formally every quarter.

Key management personnel

The Society’s staff operate in dedicated teams responsible across the principal functions of the Society’s apostolate; they meet regularly with their managers to ensure that key targets and objectives are being met.

The trustees monitor the Charity’s activities in operational areas and constant regard is had to the skills mix to ensure that the trustees have all the necessary skills required to contribute to the Charity’s development.

The key management personnel of the Society, responsible for directing and controlling, running and operating the Charity on a day-to-day basis, comprise the trustees together with the CEO and Publisher. The Trustees do not receive remuneration for their services as trustees.

The trustees set the remuneration of and determine any annual salary awards for the CEO and Publisher. Reference is made to remuneration for similar roles in the charity and private sectors, the level of responsibilities and skills attaching to the role, and the role itself in relation to other similar and different roles within the organisation. Regard may also be had to the annual job role performance review and to the particular standards, expectations and outcomes for the role. Finally, the overall financial performance of the Society is also considered in setting remuneration.

Employees

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society strives to be an equal opportunities employer and applies objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

Selection criteria and procedures are reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. All employees are given equal opportunity and, where appropriate and possible, special training to enable them to progress both within and outside the organisation. The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society is committed to a programme of action to make this policy effective and brings it to the attention of all employees.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 9

Report of the trustees 31 December 2022

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Volunteers

Over 500 volunteers manage CTS parish racks in parishes and other locations up and down the country, introducing enquirers and parishioners to material to support and nurture their faith. It is impossible to quantify the value and the full impact of this support, not only in parishes but also in schools. A lively and active parish bookrack can become a unique support to parish priests and pastoral workers in their outreach programs. We are always grateful to that small number of volunteers who help us on an ad hoc basis at various times in the year at our offices or warehouse on small but important projects and support.

Risk management

The trustees continue to assess the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas and finances.

The current areas under review are:

The trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems and that where necessary they are adapted or strengthened, and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the Charity, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.

Signed on behalf of the trustees:

Carrie Ann Gates

Trustee

Approved on:[12th June 2023 ]

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 10

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2022

Independent auditor’s report to the members of The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 11

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2022

Conclusions relating to going concern (continued)

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Financial Statements, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 12

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2022

Matters on which we are required to report by exception (continued)

Trustees’ responsibilities

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 13

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2022

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 14

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2022

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued) A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of this report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s trustees those matters that we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, or the opinions we have formed.

Amanda Francis (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Buzzacott LLP, Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

27 September 2023

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 15

Statement of financial activities (including and income and expenditure account) Year to 31 December 2022

Notes Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Interest receivable
Charitable activities
. Publication sales
2
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
3
Charitable activities
. Publication and dissemination of
Catholic publications
4
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure)
Actuarial gains on defined
benefit pension scheme
17
Net movement in funds
6
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward at
1 January 2022
Total funds carried forward at
31 December 2022
793,591
10,632
912,648
5,035

798,626
10,632
912,648
157,351
7,880
855,754
458

157,809
7,880
855,754
1,716,871 5,035 1,721,906 1,020,985 458 1,021,443
6,517
995,941

9,953
6,517
1,005,894
6,353
937,493

1,220
6,353
938,713
1,002,458 9,953 1,012,411 943,846 1,220 945,066
714,413
95,000
(4,918)
709,495
95,000
77,139
255,000
(762)
76,377
255,000
809,413
702,070
(4,918)
16,057
804,495
718,127
332,139
369,931
(762)
16,819
331,377
386,750
1,511,483 11,139 1,522,622 702,070 16,057 718,127

There were no recognised gains and losses other than those set out in the statement of financial activities above.

All the Charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during each of the above two financial years.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 16

Balance sheet 31 December 2022

Notes
2022
£
2022
£
2021
£
2021
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
Current assets
Stocks
10
Debtors
11
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
12
Net current assets
Total net assets excluding
pension liability
Pension liability
17
Total net assets including
pension liability
The funds of the Charity
Restricted funds
13
Unrestricted funds
. Designated funds
14
. General funds
. Pension reserve
17


240,266

425,552
984,850
12,900
16,588
1,506,034
172,312
120,769
752,860
10,084
16,002
898,125
1,663,568

(157,534)
1,056,025
(157,900)



1,436,483

823,070
(196,000)
1,522,622
914,127
(196,000)
1,522,622 718,127
11,139
75,000
1,436,483
16,057
75,000
627,070
1,522,622 718,127

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Carrie Ann Gates

Trustee

Approved on: 12th June 2023

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society Company Registration Number: 00057374 (England and Wales)

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 17

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2022

Notes
2022
£
2021
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Interest received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2022
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2022
B

237,304
(108,904)
10,632
(12,633)
7,880
(11,782)
(2,001) (3,902)
235,303

762,278
(112,806)
875,084

997,581
762,278

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2022.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

activities
2022
£
2021
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Actuarial gains on pension scheme
Pension cost less contributions payable
Pension finance cost
Interest receivable
Increase in stocks
Increase in debtors
Increase (decrease) in creditors
Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities
804,495
12,047
(95,000)
(104,000)
3,000
(10,632)
(67,954)
(304,783)
131
331,377
12,318
(255,000)
(97,000)
7,000
(7,880)
(28,459)
(34,423)
(36,837)
237,304 (108,904)

B Analysis of changes in cash and cash equivalents

At 1
January
2022
£
Cash flows
£
At 31
December
2022
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Bank overdraft facility
10,084
752,860
(666)
2,816
231,990
497
12,900
984,850
(169)
762,278 235,303 997,581

No separate reconciliation of net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the net cash (debt) of the charity and the above cash and cash equivalents.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 18

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2022

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are laid out below.

Basis of accounting

These financial statements have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2022 with comparative information given in respect to the year ended 31 December 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items initially recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these 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 (Charities FRS 102 SORP 2015), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

The most significant areas of adjustment and key assumptions that affect items in the financial statements are in respect to:

With respect to the next reporting period, the actuarial valuation of the pension scheme remains the most significant area of uncertainty that may affect the carrying value of assets held by the Charity.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 19

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2022

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these financial statements.

Given the current level of free reserves relative to annual expenditure and anticipated costs for the ongoing lectionary programme, the trustees are of the opinion that the Charity has planned carefully in order to meet its liabilities as they fall due and are of the opinion that the use of the going concern assumption in the preparation of these financial statements is appropriate.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the Charity is entitled to receipt, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received. Income is deferred only when the Charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor or funder has specified that the income is to be expended in a future accounting period.

Income comprises donations, legacies, interest receivable, income from the sale of publications and occasional miscellaneous income.

Donations are recognised when the Charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the Charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the Charity.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the Charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the Charity 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 Charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution.

Income recognition (continued)

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 20

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2022

Where legacies have been notified to the Charity, or the Charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the Charity.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid of payable by the bank.

Income from publication sales is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer. This is usually at the point of sale. This includes sales of publications to schools and parishes who benefit from reduced prices.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to make a payment 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.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the Charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of personnel development, financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the Charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Staff costs are allocated between expenditure on raising funds and expenditure on charitable activity based on the percentage of time spent on these activities by the employees of the Charity.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 21

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2022

Allocation of support and governance costs (continued)

Support and governance costs are allocated to expenditure on charitable activities as it is considered that any apportionment to expenditure on raising funds would be immaterial.

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing in excess of £500 and with an estimated useful life exceeding one year are capitalised in these financial statements.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates on a straight line basis in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Stocks

Stocks of books and pamphlets for resale are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stock.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for nonrecoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. Debtors have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions 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. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

The general funds comprise those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the Charity and may be applied at the discretion of the trustees.

The pension reserve represents any net liability on the Charity’s defined benefit pension scheme.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 22

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2022

Fund structure (continued)

The designated funds are monies set aside out of general funds for specific purposes by the trustees.

Restricted funds comprise monies raised for, or their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or contributions subject to donor imposed conditions.

Leased assets

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Pension costs

Contributions to defined contribution pension schemes and to employees’ personal pension plans are charged to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are payable.

The Charity operates a defined benefit pension scheme which is closed to new members and no existing employees are members. The scheme is funded by contributions from the employer. Pension scheme assets are measured using market values. Pension scheme liabilities are measured using the projected unit actuarial method and are discounted at the current rate of return on a high quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities as part of other recognised gains and losses for the period.

Where charity's defined benefit pension scheme's obligation is less than the fair value of plan assets at the balance sheet date, resulting in a surplus on the scheme, the charity does not recognise an asset on the balance unless there is an indication that it is able to recover this surplus through either reduced contribution in the future or through refunds from the plan.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 23

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

1 Income from: Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Donations
Legacies
62,185
731,406
5,035
67,220
731,406
79,486
77,865
458
79,944
77,865
793,591 5,035 798,626 157,351 458 157,809

2 Income from: Publication sales

The publication sales are attributable the publishing and/or distribution of pamphlets, books and other media. An analysis of publication sales for the year is given below:

Total
2022
£
Total
2021
£
United Kingdom
Overseas
692,029
220,619
689,958
165,796
912,648 855,754

3 Expenditure on: Raising funds

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Staff costs (note 7a)
Communications
2,498
4,019

2,498
4,019
3,102
3,251

3,102
3,251
6,517 6,517 6,353 6,353

4 Expenditure on: Publication and dissemination of Catholic publications

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Publishing
Cost of publication sales
Cost of despatch, shipping, and
storage
Advertising and marketing costs
Staff and related costs (note 7a)
Premises costs
Communications
Computer costs
Depreciation
Banking and other costs
Governance costs (note 5)
281,725
137,201
13,714
427,811
26,634
5,523
42,274
12,048
17,003
32,008


9,953






281,725
137,201
23,667
427,811
26,634
5,523
42,274
12,048
17,003
32,008
193,772
145,599
15,146
422,470
22,069
6,093
66,062
12,318
15,771
38,193


1,220






193,772
145,599
16,366
422,470
22,069
6,093
66,062
12,318
15,771
38,193
995,941 9,953 1,005,894 937,493 1,220 938,713

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 24

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

5 Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2022
£
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Professional fees
Auditor’s remuneration
5,748

26,260

5,748
26,260
11,662
26,531

11,662
26,531
32,008 32,008 38,193 38,193

6 Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
Total
2022
£
Total
2021
£
Staff costs (note 7a)
Auditor’s remuneration
. Current year audit fee
. Underprovision in prior period
. Pension scheme audit fee
Depreciation
Operatinglease rentals
430,309
22,800
350
3,110
12,047
11,550
425,572
22,000
700
3,831
12,318
14,078

7a Employee and key management remuneration

Employee and key management remuneration
Total
2022
£
Total
2021
£
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Other staff costs
Staff costs per function were as follows:
Costs of generating voluntary income
Publishing
371,997
30,074
26,514
1,724
353,953
25,431
45,273
915
430,309 425,572
2,498
427,811
3,102
422,470
430,309 425,572

One employee earned between £90,000 and £100,000 (including taxable benefits but excluding employer’s pension contributions) during the year (2021 – one). Contributions of £4,597 (2021 – £4,289) were made to the personal pension schemes of higher paid members of staff during the year.

The average number of employees, analysed by function, was:

Average headcount Average headcount
2022 2021
Publishing 11 10

Key management personnel

Key management personnel comprise the trustees and the CEO and Publisher. The total remuneration (including taxable benefits and employer’s national insurance contributions) payable to key management personnel during the year was £108,649 (2021 – £100,712).

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 25

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

7b Trustees’ remuneration

No trustee received any remuneration in respect of their services as a trustee during the year (2021 – £nil). No trustees received reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses (2021 – £nil). One trustee received commission of £964 (2021 – £731) in respect of books written for CTS prior to becoming a trustee.

8 Taxation

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its charitable activities, as they fall within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

9 Tangible fixed assets

Computers
and office
equipment
£
Cost
At 1 January 2022
Additions
At 31 December 2022
Depreciation
At 1 January 2022
Charge for year
At 31 December 2022
Net book values
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021
78,151
12,633
90,784
62,149
12,047
74,196
16,588
16,002

10 Stocks

Stocks
2022
£
2021
£
Publications for sale 240,266 172,312

11 Debtors

2022
£
2021
£
Publication sales
Other debtors
Legacies receivable
Prepayments and other accrued income
61,763
12,353
330,000
21,435
65,670
24,853
13,000
17,246
425,551 120,769

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 26

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2022
£
24,720
7,695
63,000
61,950
169
157,534
2021
£
18,766
7,822
56,000
74,646
666
157,900
Expense creditors
Taxation and social security costs
Royalties
Accruals and deferred income
Bank overdraft

13 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
At 1
January
2022
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
At 31
December
2022
£
Prisoners’ appeal
University fund appeal
Family of Disciples fund
Total restricted funds
16,057

35

5,000
(9,953)



6,139

5,000
16,057 5,035 (9,953) 11,139
At 1
January
2021
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers
£
At 31
December
2021
£
Prisoners’ appeal
University fund appeal
Total restricted funds
16,749
70
458
(1,150)
(70)

16,057
16,819 458 (1,220) 16,057

Since 2008, the Charity has on occasions made appeals to make some of its publications available to deserving or less fortunate groups. The Charity continues to consider such appeals desirable and helpful.

University fund appeal

Each year the Charity appeals for support to supply free CTS materials to Catholic University chaplaincies in the UK during freshers’ week.

Prisoners’ appeal

An appeal was launched during 2015 to make available Catholic resources in prisons and completed during the year ended 31 December 2016. The unspent balances on this fund have been transferred to general funds during the year in accordance with a clause enabling the Society to apply any amount raised over and above that which was needed for its general purposes.

Family of Disciples fund

CTS has commissioned a new First Confession and First Holy Communion preparation programme, the working title for which is Family of Disciples. publication is anticipated in 2024. This resource will be market-leading as it is being written on a family-led catechesis model and be the first of its kind in the UK. Family-led catechesis means that whilst the sacramental preparation will be coordinated in the parish, and there will be monthly or biweekly meetings that the parents and children attend together, the main catechesis is carried out by the parents for their own children, with the support and guidance of parish priest and catechists.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 27

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

13 Restricted funds (continued)

Family of Disciples fund (continued)

Expenses that will be incurred include payment for two authors (one for the parents’ and coordinators’ guides; one for the children’s book), illustration costs for the children’s book (anticipated to be commissioned directly from a single illustrator), rights and permissions costs for use of fine art and other illustrations, editorial costs, production costs for digital/video content, production costs for books and marketing costs.

14 Designated funds

Designated funds
At 1
January
2022
£
New
designations
£
Utilised/
released
£
At 31
December
2022
£
Relocation fund 75,000 75,000
At 1
January
2021
£
New
designations
£
Utilised/
released
£
At 31
December
2021
£
Relocation fund 75,000 75,000

The Relocation Fund represents funds set aside towards a possible relocation of the Charity’s office premises.

15 Analysis of net assets (excluding pension liability) between funds

General
funds
£
Designated
funds
£



Restricted
funds
£



Total
2022
£
General
funds
£
Designated
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
Fund balances at 31
December 2021 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Net current assets
Total net assets excluding
pension liability
16,588
1,419,895

75,000



**11,139 **
16,588
1,506,034
16,002
807,068

75,000

16,057
16,002
898,125
1,436,483 75,000
**11,139 **
1,522,622 823,070 75,000 16,057 914,127

16 Liability of members

The Charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the Charity being wound up, members are each required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

17 Pension commitments

The Charity operates a pension scheme providing benefits based on final pensionable pay. The assets of the scheme are held independently from the Charity’s finances. The contributions are determined on the basis of triennial valuations by a qualified actuary using the projected unit method.

The scheme’s assets consist of a unitised with profits policy with Phoenix Life Group, an investment bond, annuity policies held in the name of the trustees and a bank account.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 28

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

17 Pension commitments (continued)

The value of the scheme’s assets (excluding the value of annuity policies held in the name of the trustees) as at 31 December 2022 was £840,000 (2021 – £779,000).

The Charity’s contributions to the scheme were £104,000 for the year (2021 – £97,000). The scheme is closed to new members and no existing employees are members.

Present values of scheme liabilities, fair value of assets and deficit

2022
£’000
2021
£’000
2020
£’000
2019
£’000
2018
£’000
Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme
liabilities
Surplus(deficit)in scheme
840
(574)
779
(975)
852
(1,393)
1,281
(1,653)
1,032
(1,390)
266 (196) (541) (372) (358)

Although the charity's defined benefit pension scheme's obligation is less than the fair value of plan assets at the balance sheet date, resulting in a surplus on the scheme, the charity has no indication that it is able to recover this surplus through either reduced contribution in the future or through refunds from the plan. As such, no asset has been recognised on the balance sheet with respect to the scheme.

Movement in surplus (deficit) during the year

Movement in surplus (deficit) during the year
2022
£’000
2021
£’000
Deficit at 1 January 2022
Contributions
Net loss on scheme
Actuarial gains
Surplus(deficit)at 31 December 2022
(196)
104
(3)
361
(541)
97
(7)
255
226 (196)

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the fair value of scheme assets

2022
£’000
2021
£’000
Fair value of assets at start of period
Expected return on scheme assets
Actuarial (losses) gains
Benefits paid
Contributions by the Society
Fair value of assets at end ofperiod
779
15
(58)

104
852
11
61
(242)
97
840 779

Reconciliation of opening and closing balances of the present value of scheme liabilities

liabilities
2022
£’000
2021
£’000
Present value of liabilities at start of period
Interest cost
Actuarial gains
Benefits paid
Present value of liabilities at end ofperiod
975
18
(419)
1,393
18
(194)
(242)
574 975

The estimated value of the employer contributions for the year ending 31 December 2023 is £106,000 (2022 – £104,000).

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 29

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

17 Pension commitments (continued)

Actuarial assumptions

A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 30 June 2020 and updated to 31 December 2022 by a qualified independent actuary. The major assumptions used by the actuary were:

2022
2021
2020 2019 2018
Discount rate
Rate of increase in pensions in
payment for pensionable service from
6 April 1997
Inflation assumption (RPI)
4.90%
1.80%
3.70%
3.70%
3.20%
3.30%
1.40%
3.60%
2.90%
2.10%
3.60%
3.00%
2.90%
3.70%
3.20%

The mortality assumptions adopted at 31 December 2022 imply the following life expectancies in years:

Currentpensioners Retiringin 20years
Males
Females
21.3
23.0
22.6
24.5

The assets in the scheme and the expected rate of return

Value
at 31
December
2022
£’000
Value
at 31
December
2021
£’000
Value
at 31
December
2020
£’000
Assets
Equities
Bonds
Unitised with profits
Cash
Total market value of assets
Actuarial value of liabilities
Surplus(deficit)
124
26
344
346
138
22
378
241
102
20
552
178
840
(574)
779
(975)
852
(1,393)
266 (196) (541)

No long term expected rate of return has been provided as for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. The expected return and interest cost have been replaced with a single net interest cost.

Information in respect to statement of financial activities

Analysis of net return on pension scheme

2022
£’000
2021
£’000
Net interest cost and net return (3) (7)

Amounts recognised as other gains and losses

Amounts recognised as other gains and losses
2022
£’000
2021
£’000
Actual return less expected return on pension scheme assets
Change in financial and demographic assumptions underlying the
scheme assets
Actuarialgains recognised
(58)
419
61
194
361 255

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 30

Notes to the financial statements Year to 31 December 2022

18 Related party transactions

Aside from the transactions disclosed in note 7b, the trustees made aggregate donations of £360 to the charity during 2022 (2021 – £360).

There were no other related party transactions requiring disclosure in the year (2021 – none).

19 Leasing commitments

Operating leases

At 31 December 2022 the Charity had total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

leases as follows:
Operating lease payments which expire:
Within oneyear
Land and buildings
2022
£
2021
£
11,550 11,550

The operating lease liabilities are subject to the terms of the agreements relating to the relevant land and buildings and other assets.

The Incorporated Catholic Truth Society 31