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Annual Report

of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain 2023

i ‘ ™ 2023

The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous Introduction

Chairperson of the Board

Personnel – Retirements; resignations; appointments

Report of the Trustees

Financial Statements

Members of the General Service Board

Auditors; Bankers; Solicitors; Investment Managers

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Preamble

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

© Copyright the AA Grapevine Inc. 1947

Annual Report | 2023

Annual Report of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited

1 October 2022 - 30 September 2023

Introduction

Chairperson’s Introduction to Annual Report

It is a privilege to present this year’s Annual Report on behalf of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain.

The main rationale for the General Service Board is to support the Fellowship in its primary purpose of carrying the message of recovery from alcoholism to all who seek its help, to those associated with people with alcohol problems, and to the public at large. The charity is also concerned with the proper governance of its affairs and the most effective use of its finances. In this, we adhere to the requirements of the Charity Commission, the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Concepts for Great Britain, and for World Service. This annual report sets out to show how the charity has worked towards these aims in the last year.

Trustees who have commitments to their specific Regions are also responsible for the various Board disciplines. Additionally, we currently have five non-alcoholic trustees on our Board. Our Non-Alcoholic trustees (NATs) provide immeasurable help in ensuring some balance to the Board and have worked hard to help inform the public about what we do without having to adhere to the constraints of personal anonymity. Their work on the various Board sub-committees has proven invaluable. Among many accomplishments, work on a comprehensive set of evidenced based criteria for AA’s inclusion in the NICE guidelines, real progress in inclusion and diversity, and guidance in the appointment of new auditors bear testament to the input of our NATs.

Once again, this year the Board has had vacancies for trustees both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Despite this, we have supported all our service disciplines and external events, with individual trustees managing the resulting increased workload. Until we have a full complement of alcoholic trustees, we have formalised an offer of attendance at region assemblies for those regions without an incumbent. We hope this will encourage more members with the necessary qualifications to come forward as trustee nominees.

We were delighted to be able to hold our annual Conference face to face in York once more. Thanks to the work of the Conference Steering Committee and the staff of the General Service Office, this was very successful, the business of Conference was conducted smoothly, and the spirit of the Fellowship manifested itself in the decisions made. We also welcomed one new alcoholic trustee to our Board, and three NATs. Our board is now younger and more diverse than hitherto. We will have three new trustees who will be ratified at our Conference in April 2024 to replace those rotating out of service.

Our Fellowship has learned from our experience in the pandemic and meetings on online platforms are now an accepted tool, both for groups and for bodies in the Service Structure, wherein some business is now conducted online. Approximately half of the GSB sub-committee meetings are now held in this manner, with the balance happening face-to-face for fellowship, and to foster the most effective working relationships. Hybrid capability is now available in two meeting spaces within the General Service Office in York.

Our three service offices work collectively to handle enquiries from members, media, and the public, and have started holding ‘open days’, when all comers are welcome to visit. A small selection of our Archives collection is on display and coffee and tea always available! Naturally they continue to undertake the vital handling of meeting information so that ‘the hand of AA’ is easy to find.

The charity is responsible for several areas of our welcome to still-suffering alcoholics. Following Conference direction, we are in the process of delivering a new website for the Fellowship, testing for which is underway at the time of writing. The Telephones Sub Committee are future-proofing the 0800 number ahead of the cessation of wired exchanges and the shift to the ‘cloud’. Both they and First Response are working to apply the Fellowship’s Safeguarding guidance for the protection of alcoholics, members in service, and the charity.

Our revised design guidelines, now dubbed ‘the family look’, are being rolled out across the literature we produce, with the new pamphlets Younger People in AA and Sponsorship into Service being created in this format. We have also applied the look to our trusty ‘blue handbooks’, which are now in full colour and presented in a more accessible manner. It is hoped that this redesign will encourage more members to read and use them and then get involved in the rewarding service that is on offer.

As in previous years, to assist in the development of AA in other countries, we contributed to the International Literature Fund and provided financial assistance from our Development Fund. The Sub-Saharan Africa Service Meeting (of which we are a sponsor) took place online once more; our representatives were humbled by the commitment made by some of our fellow members to provide service for their countries with very limited resources. We can be grateful for our good fortune in AAGB.

Trustees attended general service conferences as observers in Ireland. The European Service Meeting was held face-to-face in York after being online in 2021, and despite travel woes for some, delegates discussed their common challenges.

With the help of the Fellowship, the board was able to hold all three of its traditional annual parliamentary events, in London at the House of Commons, in Edinburgh at Holyrood, and in Cardiff at the Senedd. Sincere thanks are offered to the parliamentarians who graciously sponsor these events. Professionals who have little awareness of how AA works are always welcome, and members are encouraged to nominate influential contacts in the fields of medicine, social work and government. Hearing a government minister ask, “How can we help?” bears testament to the potential of these events.

With thanks for allowing me to be of service, and to my predecessor, Amanda S, who sponsored me into this role,

Justin Tunstall

Chair

Annual Report | 2023

GSB Personnel

The following trustees retired from the Board this year:

Amanda Stocks Thomas Baldwin Mani Mehdikhani Louise Foxcroft

The following trustees were appointed to the Board:

Holly Alexander Ranjana Bell Emma Gipson Henry Lowe

Report of the Trustees

The primary purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is to pass the message of recovery from alcoholism to those who seek help, making that information available to professionals, the media and the public. The General Service Board (GSB) of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain works to support the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and to raise awareness of AA's message of recovery.

Our Tradition of Self Support, underpinned by the Alcoholics Anonymous (Dispositions) Act of 1986, ensures that AA is supported solely through the voluntary contributions of members. The charity continues to achieve a stable financial position and has been able to undertake initiatives that the Fellowship of AA has requested.

Each trustee takes responsibility for a particular area of work within the Board activities, all of which are geared towards raising awareness of all that AA can offer those who seek help. The trustees stay abreast of developments and co-operate with the authorities in these professional areas by communicating on a regular basis, attending conferences and exhibitions and by developing projects for each professional body.

AA Service News (AASN) has grown in size and quantity. At the last count, it was carrying the message to 4000+ alcoholics in print and to 2000 alcoholics digitally and will continue to do so on a quarterly basis to individuals, groups, intergroups and regions. It helps meet AA’s primary purpose by carrying the message across the whole Fellowship. It comprises your stories about the service you carry out daily across the Fellowship. Also included are:

Conference questions and recommendations in the winter and summer editions respectively
Regular messages from the General Secretary
Board meeting bullet points
Job adverts for sub-committees
Parliamentary events across the UK
Regular updates on how the website project is unfolding

There are also occasional requests for shares on particular topics for AA pamphlets, such as Mental Health, Sponsorship into Service etc. Given the increased number of applications for sub-committee vacancies, we know you are reading it, and we are delighted. We have tried to make it attractive to pick up and read! Your thoughts on improvements are always welcome, along with your articles on service and of course your pictures. Remember, AASN is all about you! As ever, we thank you for your contributions and making AASN an interesting, informative and enjoyable read.

The Archive Sub-Committee met three times during the past year the fourth meeting was rescheduled to January 2024 due to my ill health. Three members of the Borthwick institutes including the incoming AA archivist were invited and attended the Archives Sub Committee meeting in September 2023. The exchange of information and experiences between the Borthwick institute and the sub-committee was very productive. It was felt that it would be beneficial to both sides to do this on a regular basis. The newly appointed part time archivist for the AA archive at the Borthwick Institute commenced work in November. The sub-committee has overhauled the existing and created new AA archivists supporting literature. This literature can be accessed on the archivist section of the AA website. Led by the Fellowship Archivist the interviewing and recording of old timers has commenced it is hoped that these recordings will be uploaded to the new AA website when it is completed. The archive network meeting was held on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2023. A total of 24 members attended 14 in person and 10 online. Martin B gave a presentation on questions for old timers. Nick H gave a presentation on group histories. I gave the update on the work of the archive subcommittee. There was a sharing of experience from the different regions.

Armed Services Sub-Committee met four times this year two online and two at GSO. The sub-committee consists of three members including myself. One member will rotate out in February 2024. The sub-committee continues in its primary role to support ASLOs and RASLOs. The sub-committee continues to maintain the Armed Services 12 step list which is on Google document and is available for telephone responders. With the assistance of the General Secretary the sub-committee has re-established contact with Dr Ruth Rushton who is a researcher and practitioner in the field of alcohol treatment for UK military personnel. One of the sub-committee members is acting as a point of contact for her and any inquiries coming in from her defence clinician’s colleagues. The sub-committee would like to update the existing relevant Armed Services literature and is actively seeking armed service members to contribute to this. Unfortunately, we have had no response to date.

6 Annual Report | 2023

Employment: Enthusiasm for carrying our message to Employers is encouraged by the development of care now required in employment situations. Greater responsibility is evolving for the welfare, safety, and health of employees. The specific department in the workplace for this purpose often welcomes the specific contribution available from AA. Experienced members have joined our sub-committee this year, including a NAT (NonAlcoholic Trustee). Further members are invited. The revision of our pamphlet "What do I do?" is prepared for approval at Conference 2024. Our annual June workshop for Regional Employment Liaison Officers (RELOs) was supported by alternative regional members where no RELO was in service, as was our Employment Liaison Seminar in October. We suggested opportunities for interaction with Employers such as ongoing work with the Northumbria police. The London Fire Brigade have had a further presentation through London Region South to their Mental Health First Aid Team - appreciating AA's specific value, complimenting their own health and safety programme. Posters for 102 Stations! Network Rail Safety/Pastoral Care received presentations in September and November. Slots being used on Station digital billboards for information. A presentation given to a National Bank's "Enable Disability Network" was followed by a presentation of the "AA Group at work", "Tips on Living Sober" and a "Myth Busting" session. These events were recorded for the bank’s internal use for those staff unable to attend the live meeting. Literature and an Al-anon contact were supplied. The bank group leader subsequently reported their valued experience of AA at our Seminar in October. Our enthusiasm is well founded.

European Service Meeting: Jo F and Levey P attended the European Service Meeting (ESM) in York, 20-22nd October 2023. The theme ‘AA in a Changing World’. There were attendees from 20 European Countries plus 2 attendees from GSO in New York. The meeting is held in English, but we all spoke the language of the heart to discuss the challenges and opportunities in service: finding people to do service, to lead by example, and the importance of unity and safeguarding. Bob W, General Manager AA GSO US and Canada gave a talk on AA World Service (AAWS): ‘Translation & Licensing Publishing’. Irene D, International desk AAWS gave the keynote address, ‘AA in a Changing World’. AAs from Eastern Europe demonstrated the pioneer spirit with how as a structure they had gone to any lengths to stay sober and pass on the message of recovery overcoming barriers of poverty, politics, wars and language, showing how fortunate we are in Great Britian and English-speaking Europe to have our AA structure and literature in place. The ESM took place during the weekend of Storm Babbette. One delegate from Finland took three days to get to the ESM! She arrived on the Sunday morning - it was so important for her to get there and meet other alcoholics doing service. The topic for the next ESM will be ‘Unifying and Safeguarding our Fellowship.’ Our thanks go to the General Service Office in York who put on a wonderful conference for us all.

The First Response Online Sub-Committee (FROSC) is responsible for the administration of Chat Now, a live chat feature, and the Online Response Service (ORS), an email service. Both are run through the AAGB website, to encourage the still-suffering alcoholic to either ring the helpline or attend a meeting. We work closely with the Telephones Sub Committee to share experience and best practice. Increasing numbers of still-suffering alcoholics are reaching out for help. Chat Now engages in approximately 1,200 live chats each month, and ORS averages 1,500 emails each month. To meet the growing need, we are working to raise awareness of these services and encourage members to become responders. We held a First Response Workshop in Glasgow in September 2023, and gave a presentation at South Midlands Region. We have been in touch with all regions to offer workshops or presentations on the services with several arranged for 2024. To fulfil our duty of care to responders and callers, we are in the process of introducing DBS checks for all responders, and continually reviewing the training and support they receive. These measures ensure that we carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic, by meeting Safeguarding responsibilities and protecting the charity for future generations.

Health: Our biggest achievement this year has been the work our Non-Alcoholic Trustee, Dr Kieran Moriarty, has done in providing the evidence for the benefits of AA 12-step Facilitation Programmes to the NICE consultation on Alcohol-use disorders. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)A Quality Standards Guidance “Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and treatment” (QS11) published on 6th July 2023 now strongly endorses and recommends AA 12-step Facilitation Programmes. The NICE guidance provides “best practice” recommendations to national policy makers in England and Wales and as it now includes many references to the benefits of AA it is, and will be, an amazing support to the Fellowship and especially to our Health Liaison Officers. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) updated the “AA and Healthcare in the Community” Chapter 6 in “The AA Service Handbook 2023 “. Our pamphlet (produced in 2022) “A Guide for the Health Liaison Officer” which was originally intended as an internal document, will be presented to Conference in 2024 to enable wider distribution. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) continues to support the valuable work carried out by our Regional and Intergroup Liaison Officers, offering them the opportunity to share good practice at the annual Liaison event.

Literature: Conference 2023 approved changes and additions to the AA handbooks.

Revisions for ‘Location of the Conference’, ‘Regional Assembly’, how ‘GSB operates through Committees’ and the chapter on ‘Conventions’, in the AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain.
Revised Chapter 6: ‘AA and Healthcare in the Community’ in the Service Handbook for Great Britain. The Illustrated Traditions pamphlet was withdrawn from sale and as an interim measure, replaced with the ‘Experience Has Taught Us’ leaflet published by AAWS.

The following are proposed for Conference 2024.

Handbook Changes

A new chapter in the Service Handbook: ‘Publications’ Chapter: Share, Roundabout and AA Service News; how the committees which deliver these publications, work.
Revisions to the Service Handbook Chapter: Probation and Criminal Justice Services.
The Structure Handbook under point 2 in the introduction has a revised history bringing AA Great Britain fully up-to-date, please see ‘A brief history of AA in Great Britain’.
Each handbook has a new glossary of terms, hopefully making them much more accessible to the reader.

Literature Revisions

‘Health Liaisons Officers’ leaflet, and ‘Employment Officers’ leaflet. The Little Book has been reviewed and extended to provide members with a meeting-in-a-pocket and seminal texts often referred to and read from the ‘Big Book’.

New Items of Literature

Pamphlet on ‘Probation and Criminal Justice Services’ to aid professionals in these services understand AA and help members on their release from prison.

Up and Coming Literature

A pamphlet on Mental Health comprised of Fellowship stories of mental health in sobriety.

Northern National Convention (NNC) was held in March 2023 at the Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool, with an attendance of over 950. The NNC is sponsored by three Regions, Midlands, North East and North West and its committee is made up of three delegates from each region plus the executive committee. The committee meet regularly, and the AGM was held in October 2023 to enable preparations to commence for the 48th Convention to be held 15th-17th March 2024.

Scottish Nation Convention: The 66th Scottish National Convention, was held at the Queens Hall, Dunoon on 28th to 30th of April. Online registration on the SNC website assisted with planning and event management. The convention took its regular form of meetings being hosted by each Region, with a Young Persons and Old timers meeting, the Saturday night meeting was open including an Al Anon speaker and rounded off with a sobriety countdown. Al Anon also had their own meeting room and meetings were well attended. The dedicated service room was popular being shared by invited service disciplines and a literature table. The Convention Chair rotated out at the AGM after steering the committee through covid and troublesome times, we are grateful for her service and look forward to the continued success of the convention with our new Chair. The Committee has been working effectively and met in person and online throughout the year and continue to do so. The planned 67th Scottish National Convention will again be held at The Queens Hall, Dunoon with capacity in the main hall for 450 with more of the meetings being open to attract those interested in finding out more about Alcoholics Anonymous and Alcoholism. The 67th Scottish National Convention will take place 26th to 28th April 2024.

Welsh National convention was held at the Metropole hotel, Llandrindod Wells on the 2nd – 4th June 2023 with 163 attendees. On the Saturday there was a Welsh speaking meeting with a simultaneous translation into English along with other tabletop shares, a workshop and marathon meetings alongside. A room was available for Al-anon, and entertainment provided. This year's convention will be held at the same venue 31st May to 2nd June. All are welcome to join us for a warm Welsh welcome.

Annual Report | 2023

The National Telephone Sub-Committee has had a very busy year. After extensive consultation with the fellowship guided by expert legal opinion, we have written a training document for Regional Telephone Liaison Officers, Telephone Liaison Officers, 12th Steppers and finalised our safeguarding guidance for telephone helplines. The National Telephone Sub Committee (NTSC) has also proposed and is investigating a restructuring of the 0800 number, which receives over 2400 calls per week and how it relays these calls to the 40 or so local helplines, which themselves are receiving an increasing number of calls. The NTSC will oversee the implementation of the new platform which will work better with the regional & intergroup autonomous helplines through improving call efficiency by reducing missed calls and helping responders receive calls from the still suffering alcoholic. Progress will be reported on at Conference 2024.

The Scottish Parliament event took place on 4th October 2023, following two and a half years of this event being rescheduled. The theme was Alcoholics Anonymous Awareness. Following an address from our Sponsoring MSP our four AA speakers gave fantastic talks. These talks gave insight to our professional guests into the reality of the programme of recovery available in Scotland to all who suffer from alcoholism. Following our speakers there was an enthusiastic question-and-answer session. Feedback forms were used, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The committee worked extremely hard to source professional guests. We are still looking for three Scottish Regions to put forward suitable members to fill their two service positions. The committee has benefited from a more structured approach in its operation and administration. We can build on the success of this event in 2024. The Northern service office provided administrative support, and we are grateful for our workers contribution. We would invite all members to suggest invitees through their regional committee members or directly to the committee for our 2024 event.

Senedd Assembly took place on the 14th of November 2023, hosted by Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru in the Senedd Cardiff Bay and was well attended with about 20 professionals present. The Armed Services video was played, and our Chair of the Board spoke about their role, and I informed on the role of the Wales and Borders Trustee. Two members shared their Experience, Strength and Hope and created the opportunity to for a Q and A session. The presentation helped us continue forming links and giving insight into the disease of alcoholism.

The Westminster Parliamentary Event Committee delivered a well-attended face-to-face event in the Atlee Suite in Portcullis House on 16 May 2023, sponsored and hosted by Steve Brine, Conservative MP for Winchester. The two non-alcoholic professional speakers spoke highly of what AA had to offer and the AA speakers shared their experience strength and hope as well as talking about how AA is addressing the diversity issue and working to make the fellowship more welcoming and open to people of all different cultures and background. After a brief summer break, the committee has reformed with new members and is planning the Westminster event for 2024, on Tuesday 21 May 2024 with our sponsor this year, Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central. The professional non-AA speakers are yet to be selected with the fellowship asked to invite their service professional contacts and colleagues who would benefit from hearing more about AA. The event’s emphasis is on is getting MPs and parliamentary advisors, health professionals, practitioners and people who encounter and work with the still suffering alcoholic, and who don’t know much about AA, to come along to hear what AA has to offer.

PI & E Comms: During the year we continued to take forward work to relaunch the AA website, including the development of an improved database, new meeting finder and AA shop, easier site navigation and further on-site resources for use by the fellowship. Further progress was made in extending the new “family look” to AA publications, the AA Structure and Service handbooks, and AA Service News. In line with previous reports to conference the look will be applied to all future publications and reprints of existing publications. Members of the sub-committee attended a variety of events to inform the wider fellowship of the activity of the committee, including regional, intergroup and the Scottish national convention and are working on the development of a National Advertising campaign with approval from conference sought for the designs to be used. A new electronic publication will be launched in the new year to keep professionals and friends of AA up to date with our activities. We envisage this to be sent to a subscriber base free of charge via the new website. Finally, as trustees we would like to thank all the members of the committee for their hard work dedication and enthusiasm. Not only for their work on the initiatives mentioned above but also for all the routine yet vital work they do in supporting the help desk, file store and workspace.

Prison Sub-Committee had no members until the end of September due to four members simultaneously rotating out when three joined. The quarterly newsletter will resume for which letters either from prisoners or people with prison experience are welcome. In March I attended the Scottish and Northern National Conventions hosting Prison stands to inform on the roles within the AA Structure: prison sponsors, Intergroup and Regional

Liaison officers assisted with this by two regional LO officers, and our NAT Tom Fox, a Senior Civil Servant within the Prison Service and in June gave a presentation on the Prison Discipline at the Midland Region’s Service Forum. In June we held our annual Regional Liaison Officers meeting and on 1st July held a joint Prison and Probation/CJS Seminar at the Park Inn York with over 60 in attendance. We had speakers Wendy Sinclare-Geiben, HMCIP who spoke of the Scottish prison service and Sarah Hancock HMPS, compliance manager who deals with clearance. The sub-committee investigated the possibility of conducting meetings using a video link via a 3rd party but decided against this as in addition prisons are approaching us to fetch AA into their prisons. It is my pleasure to be of service and if you have any questions, please contact me or the sub-committee, we will be pleased to help you.

Probation/Criminal Justice Social Work Services: This year the Board approved the separation of Prison and Probation Sub Committee to allow focus on differing aspects of criminal justice. In simple terms, inside and outside of Prison custody. This new structure will support more co-operation for the fellowship with Probation and CJS agencies throughout Great Britain. Probation / Criminal Justice Service liaison officers (LO’s) have made progress with the chit system with the rise to 603 AA Groups from 515 offering the ‘chit’ system over the course of 2023. Through co-operation with HMPPS Recovery focused Approved Premises, a mailshot of AA information from GSO was distributed to all 105 Approved Premises in England and Wales. Following this LOs and sub-committee members took part in Recovery focused Approved Premises open days throughout the year. Alcoholics Anonymous has been included in a new national Court Directory for England and Wales and is progressing our primary purpose with both HMPPS and HMCTS at a national level. Within the fellowship, presentations and service information stands were hosted at National Conventions and Service Forums, the Sub-committee assisting RLO’s and IGLO’s when requested. The joint Seminar with Prisons in July was an enormous success with enthusiastic professional and recovering alcoholic speakers. Criminal justice professionals attended Westminster and Holyrood parliamentary events. Glasgow Court committee continues to provide service at the Alcohol Court and the Custody Suite service work in London Region North is making inroads. The Probation Sub Committee, has reviewed, updated, and submitted our external facing leaflet, now titled; Alcoholics Anonymous as a Resource for Criminal Justice Professionals for conference 2024.

Race2Day Working Group: What a year it’s been for Race2Day! The Race2Day Working Group has had a very busy year. Our 2nd and 3rd Conventions were held in March and September with delegates from many countries, in particular from US and Canada who showed great interest, passion and encouragement. Workshops were also held at London and Birmingham Conventions with tremendous participation and input from ethnicities. The Pamphlet “Nobody Here looks like me in Alcoholics Anonymous” produced by Birmingham Intergroup will go to Conference in 2024. And in November in a new South Asian meeting was set up in Glasgow after outreach in the local community by the Intergroup and members of Race2Day. The response of the Fellowship to the initiative has been tremendous, in recognising and helping deliver Conference 2021’s recommendation to improve diversity and better actualise our Third Tradition. We hope to maintain and increase the momentum with workshops booked for the Northern, London and Glasgow Convention in 2024.

Roundabout: A very busy year during the course of which, members of the sub-committee attended Share Liaison officers and sub-committee meetings and in co-operation with the Share team worked with AASN and the Literature Sub Committee on the revised Little Book and new AA Structure and Service Handbooks. Our Annual Liaison Officers’ meeting was held on 25th March and attended by our PI Trustee and General Secretary. We held a stall at the Scottish National Convention and recorded shares and interviews and recruited new members to the sub-committee. I had discussions with PI trustees on developing a photo library to be used by all AA publications and attended the Chat Now Seminar in Glasgow. Members of the Share Sub-Committee also attended the Scottish Parliament event. In 2024 Roundabout will aim to attend all the Conventions attended in 2023. Most significantly the price of Roundabout will increase to £2 from January after being held at £1 since 2002. The magazine aims to be self-supporting and the price increase necessary for it to achieve this goal. We hope that our readers will understand the rationale and enjoy the publication even more than before.

Share: The Share team has had a hectic twelve months and there have been some major changes to our magazine. Having not had a price increase for over twenty years, we needed to take a look at how Share might become self-supporting and, having done the sums, we have increased the price to £2 per copy, taking effect from January 2024. We have also thought about ways to make Share more accessible and have increased the font size to bring it more in line with Accessibility guidelines. Of course, this affects the overall look of the magazine, increasing the number of pages per issue and altering the layout, from double to single columns. This is a trial that we are open to adjusting, according to fellowship feedback. We hope everyone will support us as we endeavour to make Share the best possible version of itself. The team welcomed our new assistant editor this year who has settled in very well, leaving us with no vacancies. We are working on new bookmarks for 2024, giving a presentation at the London Convention 2024 and continuing to produce a fantastic magazine

10 Annual Report | 2023

worth every penny of its new price.

Survey: The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain [GSB GB]) Limited have conducted a survey of the Fellowship every five years since 1972 to learn more about the Fellowship in GB and Continental Europe and so disseminate our message of recovery more effectively to the still suffering alcoholic. The Survey Sub Committee was established as a separate sub-committee tasked to deliver the 2020 Survey. Previously the Survey was delivered by the PI Sub-Committee. The committee produced an info-graphic based leaflet to report some of the results of the 2020 Survey. Due to Covid and lockdown the 2020 survey was delivered online for the first time. The decision to continue the survey online has been agreed using what was learned in 2020 to improve the content and method of communication to the Fellowship and increase engagement. The committee have put together a timeline of work for the 2025 Survey that includes four phases of the process that began in 2023. The committee are currently liaising with some of the relevant sub-committees to finalise the content of the questionnaire and considering the survey design. The survey will be launched in March of 2025 and the final results will be reported to Conference 2026.

Young People’s service continues to be enthusiastic and engaged, with a lot of work being done across the country to help carry the message of recovery to younger people. A Young People’s Roadshow was held in Cardiff in April 2023 which, like previous events, generated a lot of enthusiasm for the service with new Young People’s meetings being set up, and more members engaging in service across the structure. Another roadshow is planned for May 2024 in Glasgow with a variety of interesting and inspiring speakers. The Young People’s Sub Committee continue to hold online drop-in meetings every quarter to provide an opportunity for liaison officers and anyone interested in the role to get support and share experience. The sub-committee have also started a podcast called ‘They Stopped in Time’ which is available on the usual podcast platforms. There is an established and supportive community of Young People’s liaison officers across the country, who share their experience, advice and resources to help each other carry the message of recovery.

Financial Statement for 2022-2023 Annual Report

Introduction

The Fellowship across AAGB has continued to recover, along with the rest of Society, from the pandemic. I’m pleased to inform that the Charity’s finances have remained in a stable position despite additional pressures of high inflation with a Retail Price Index (RPI) increase of 21% between October 2021 and October 2023, with reserves slightly under our Warranty 2 Reserves Level.

Investments

Our investments continue to be managed by Churches, Charities & Local Authorities (CCLA) which is an ethical company. During the year the charity received an income of £43,585 from our investments.

Literature

Income from the sale of literature amounted to £785,768 . This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of £703,715 .

The literature costs realised £353,396 compared to £249,195 in 2021-22.

Our Total Income for the year is £1,769,948 compared to £1,852,346 in 2021-22, a reduction of £82,398 .

Our Total Expenditure for the year, inclusive of Restricted funds of £15,039 is £1,871,836 compared to £1,823,469 in 2021-22, an increase of £48,367 .

Our Net Income for 2022-23 before gains on investments is -£101,888

Our Net Gains on Investments is £14,624 .

Therefore our Net Income for the year is -£87,264 , down by £34,167 from the 2021-22 total of -£53,097 .

Therefore our Prudent Reserve for 2023-24 is £2,320,996 .

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO)

All three offices have continued to operate with a full complement of staff. Our staff have continued to split their time between working from home and in the offices. This arrangement has continued to work well.

The above figures are detailed in the following pages of this Annual Report.

Clive K Hon. Treasurer until Conference 2024

Gretchen S Hon. Treasurer from Conference 2024

12 Annual Report | 2023

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023 BALANCE SHEET

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Funds 2023 Total Funds £ 2022 Total
Funds £ £ Funds £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets 1,521 1,521 3,436
Investments 1,118,943 1,118,943 1,104,319
1,120,464 1,120,464 1,107,755
CURRENT
ASSETS
Stocks 195,673 195,673 256,245
Debtors 96,579 96,579 103,245
1,307,938 1,307,938 1,300,032
Cash at Bank
1,600,190 1,600,190 1,659,522
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due (84,032) (84,032) (43,391)
within one year
TOTAL ASSETS
Less Current 1,516,158 1,516,158 1,616,131
Liabilities
NET ASSETS 2,636,622 2,636,622 2,723,886
2022 FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds 2,493,809 2,493,809 2,597,375
Restricted Funds 142,813 142,813 126,511
2,493,809 142,813 2,636,622 2,723,886
----- End of picture text -----

This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account) for year ended 30 September 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 Total 2022 Total
Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Funds £
INCOME RESOURCES
Income & Endowments from
Donations & Legacies 909,254 31,329 940,583 1,143,061
Other Trading Activities 785,768 785,768 703,715
Investment Income 43,585 12 43,597 37,899
Government Grant Income (32,329)
Total Income 1,738,607 31,341 1,769,948 1,852,346
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising Funds 828,164 828,164 811,285
Charitable Activities 1,028,633 15,039 1,043,672 1,012,184
Total Expenditure 1,856,797 15,039 1,871,836 1,823,469
Net Gains on Investments 14,624 14,624 (81,974)
Net income / (Expenditure) (103,566) 16,302 (87,264) (53,097)
RECONCILIATION of
FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 2,597,375 126,511 2,723,886 2,776,983
Total funds carried forward 2,493,809 142,813 2,636,622 2,723,886
----- End of picture text -----

14 Annual Report | 2023

Continuing Operations

All incoming resources and resources expended arise from continuing activities NOTES to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
Donations & Legacies 2023 £ 2022 £
Fellowship Contributions 889,430 983,742
Gift Aid 24,277 50,026
National Convention Contributions 8,050 1,355
Conference and 75th Contributions 18,826 107,938
940,583 1,143,061
OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES 2023£ 2022£
Sales of Literature 785,768 703,715
Literature is sold at surplus to assist in support of the Primary Purpose
INVESTMENT INCOME 2023£ 2022£
Fixed Asset Income 34,496 33,975
Deposit Account Income 9,101 3,924
43,597 37,899
EXPENDITURE – RAISING FUNDS 2023£ 2022£
Purchase of Literature 353,396 249,195
Staff Costs 64,264 61,368
Premises Costs 40,809 36,902
Office Expenses 130,336 88,491
Public Information & Publication Costs 37,326 35,307
Conference & 75th Convention Costs 77,666 228,014
Website 41,471 18,342
Irrecoverable VAT 53,478 54,835
Financial Expenses 19,001 15,982
General Expenses 10,417 22,849
828,164 818,285
----- End of picture text -----

This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

Charitable Activities - Other Fellowship Services	2023£ 2022£
Staff Costs	334,172 319,113
Premises Costs	76,292 70,149
Offce Expenses	43,301 35,672
General Expenses	75,323 82,853
	529,088 507,787

Governance Costs	2023£ 2022£
Trustee Expenses	58,168 53,039
Professional Expenses	45,447 70,029
	103,615 123,068

Management Costs Staff Costs Premises Costs Offce Expenses Financial Expenses General Expenses	2023£ 2022£ 244,202 233,198 59,782 54,528 49,287 40,570 60 65 57,638 52,968
	410,969 381,329

This information has the approval of the auditors and audited by BHP Accountants and delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

16 Annual Report | 2023

Members of the General Service Board

Holly Alexander Ranjana Bell Tim Barker Charon Burke Andrina Cassidy John Coady Jo Faul Tom Fox Emma Gipson Zelma Kesans Clive Kilmartin Henry Lowe Hamish McSwan Kieran Moriarty Barbara Owen Levey Patocs Stevie Smith Gretchen Swisher Justin Tunstall

Ranjan Bhattacharyya

Auditors

BHP Chartered Accountants

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary’s Court Blossom Street York YO24 1AH

General Secretary

Bankers

HSBC Plc

13 Parliament Street York YO1 8XS

Solicitors

Wrigleys Solicitors

LPP 19 Cookridge Street Leeds LS2 EAG

Investment Managers

CCLA Fund Managers Ltd Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

Registered Charity Nos:

226745 (England and Wales) SCO38023 (Scotland)

The Twelve Traditions

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
AA as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never to be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

18 Annual Report | 2023

Registered number: 00587316 Charity number: 226745/SCO38023

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

	Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers	1 - 2
Chair's statement	3 - 4
Trustees' report	5 - 17
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements	18 - 21
Statement of financial activities	22
Balance sheet	23
Statement of cash flows	24
Notes to the financial statements	25 - 44

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Trustees	Ranjana Bell(appointed 16 April 2023)
	HollyAlexander(appointed 16 April 2023)
	HenryLowe(appointed 16 April 2023)
	Emma Gipson(appointed 16 April 2023)
	Levente Patocs
	Charon Bourke
	Malcolm McSwan
	Dr Kieran Moriarty
	Zelma Kesans
	Tim Barker
	John Coady
	Andrina Cassidy
	Gretchen Swisher
	Joanna Faul
	Justin Tunstall
	Charles Roberts
	Thomas Fox
	Barbara Owen
	Stephen Smith
	Clive Kilmartin
	Thomas Baldwin(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Louise Foxcroft(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Dr Mani Mehdikhani(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Amanda Stocks(resigned 16 April 2023)

Company registered number 00587316 Charity registered number 226745/SCO38023 Registered office The General Service Office PO Box 1 York YO1 7NJ General secretary Ranjan Battacharyya

Key management personnel R Battacharyya - General Secretary

M Tervet - Management Accountant J Pryke - General Service Board Administrator A M Smith - Northern Service Office Administrator S Smyth - Conference Co-ordinator, IT & Technical Manager S Wright - Office Manager J P Szajniuk - Southern Service Office Administrator (resigned 31 August 2023)

Page 1

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Independent auditors BHP LLP Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court York YO24 1AH Bankers HSBC Plc 13 Parliament Street York YO1 8XS Solicitors Wrigleys Solicitors LLP 3rd Floor 3 Wellington Place Leeds LS1 4AP Investment managers CCLA Fund Managers Ltd Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

Page 2

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

It is a privilege to present this year’s Annual Report on behalf of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain.

Our Fellowship has learned from our experience in the pandemic and meetings on online platforms are now an accepted tool, both for groups and for bodies in the Service Structure, wherein some business is now conducted online. Approximately half of the GSB sub-committee meetings are now held in this manner, with the balance happening face-toface for fellowship, and to foster the most effective working relationships. Hybrid capability is now available in two meeting spaces within the General Service Office in York.

Page 3

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Trustees attended general service conferences as observers in Ireland. The European Service Meeting was held face-toface in York after being online in 2021,and despite travel woes for some, delegates discussed their common challenges.

With thanks for allowing me to be of service, and to my predecessor, Amanda S, who sponsored me into this role.

Justin Tunstall

Justin Tunst ~~a~~ ll (Feb 7, 2024 17:35 GMT)

Chair Date: 07/02/2024

Page 4

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The Charitable Company's main objective is to assist alcoholics to overcome their addiction to alcohol and maintain sobriety. To achieve that aim the Charitable Company;

serves the Fellowship known as Alcoholics Anonymous in such of its work of assisting alcoholics to achieve sobriety as is of a charitable nature
publishes and distributing books, pamphlets and other literature relating to alcoholism
explains the work of the Company to the General Public through the media,
holds net monies accruing to the Charitable Company pending application to the purposes of the Charitable Company.

In these ways the Charitable Company supports independent local groups established to uphold the primary objective of the Charitable Company.

b. Volunteers

The charitable company does not use volunteers to deliver its services.

c. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

The Charitable Company's aims and achievements are set out within this report. The activities set out in this report have been undertaken to further the Charitable Company's charitable purposes for the Public Benefit. The Trustees have complied with their duty under Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission and the Trustees have paid due regard to this guidance in deciding what activities the Charitable Company should undertake.

Page 5

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the charity

AA Service News (AASN) has grown in size and quantity. At the last count, it was carrying the message to 4000+ alcoholics in print and to 2000 alcoholics digitally, and will continue to do so on a quarterly basis to individuals, groups, intergroups and regions. It helps meet AA’s primary purpose by carrying the message across the whole Fellowship. It comprises your stories about the service you carry out daily across the Fellowship. Also included are:

Conference questions and recommendations in the winter and summer editions respectively
Regular messages from the General Secretary
Board meeting bullet points
Job adverts for sub-committees
Parliamentary events across the UK
Regular updates on how the website project is unfolding

Archives: The Archive Sub-Committee met three times during the past year the fourth meeting was rescheduled to January 2024 due to my ill health. Three members of the Borthwick institutes including the incoming AA archivist were invited and attended the Archives Sub Committee meeting in September 2023. The exchange of information and experiences between the Borthwick institute and the sub-committee was very productive. It was felt that it would be beneficial to both sides to do this on a regular basis. The newly appointed part time archivist for the AA archive at the Borthwick Institute commenced work in November. The sub-committee has overhauled the existing and created new AA archivists supporting literature. This literature can be accessed on the archivist section of the AA website. Led by the Fellowship Archivist the interviewing and recording of old timers has commenced it is hoped that these recordings will be uploaded to the new AA website when it is completed. The archive network meeting was held on the 22nd and 23rd of September 2023. A total of 24 members attended 14 in person and 10 online. Martin B gave a presentation on questions for old timers. Nick H gave a presentation on group histories. I gave the update on the work of the archive subcommittee. There was a sharing of experience from the different regions.

Page 6

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Armed Services Sub-Committee: The Armed Services Sub-Committee met four times this year two online and two at GSO. The sub-committee consists of three members including myself. One member will rotate out in February 2024. The subcommittee continues in its primary role to support ASLOs and RASLOs. The sub-committee continues to maintain the Armed Services 12 step list which is on Google document and is available for telephone responders. With the assistance of the General Secretary the sub-committee has re-established contact with Dr Ruth Rushton who is a researcher and practitioner in the field of alcohol treatment for UK military personnel. One of the sub-committee members is acting as a point of contact for her and any inquiries coming in from her defence clinician’s colleagues. The sub-committee would like to update the existing relevant Armed Services literature and is actively seeking armed service members to contribute to this. Unfortunately, we have had no response to date.

Employment: Enthusiasm for carrying our message to Employers is encouraged by the development of care now required in employment situations. Greater responsibility is evolving for the welfare, safety and health of employees. The specific department in the workplace for this purpose often welcomes the specific contribution available from AA. Experienced members have joined our sub-committee this year, including a NAT (Non-Alcoholic Trustee). Further members are invited. The revision of our pamphlet "What do I do?" is prepared for approval at Conference 2024. Our annual June workshop for Regional Employment Liaison Officers (RELOs) was supported by alternative regional members where no RELO was in service, as was our Employment Liaison Seminar in October. We suggested opportunities for interaction with Employers such as ongoing work with the Northumbria police. The London Fire Brigade have had a further presentation through London Region South to their Mental Health First Aid Team - appreciating AA's specific value, complimenting their own health and safety programme. Posters for 102 Stations! Network Rail Safety/Pastoral Care received presentations in September and November. Slots being used on Station digital billboards for information. A presentation given to a National Bank's "Enable Disability Network" was followed by a presentation of the "AA Group at work", "Tips on Living Sober" and a "Myth Busting" session. These events were recorded for the bank’s internal use for those staff unable to attend the live meeting. Literature and an Al-anon contact were supplied. The bank group leader subsequently reported their valued experience of AA at our Seminar in October. Our enthusiasm is well founded.

The First Response Online Sub-Committee (FROSC) is responsible for the administration of Chat Now, a live chat feature, and the Online Response Service (ORS), an email service. Both are run through the AAGB website, to encourage the stillsuffering alcoholic to either ring the helpline or attend a meeting. We work closely with the Telephones Sub Committee to share experience and best practice. Increasing numbers of still-suffering alcoholics are reaching out for help. Chat Now engages in approximately 1,200 live chats each month, and ORS averages 1,500 emails each month. To meet the growing need, we are working to raise awareness of these services and encourage members to become responders. We held a First Response Workshop in Glasgow in September 2023, and gave a presentation at South Midlands Region. We have been in touch with all regions to offer workshops or presentations on the services with several arranged for 2024. To fulfil our duty of care to responders and callers, we are in the process of introducing DBS checks for all responders, and

Page 7

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

continually reviewing the training and support they receive. These measures ensure that we carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic, by meeting Safeguarding responsibilities and protecting the charity for future generations.

Health: Our biggest achievement this year has been the work our Non-Alcoholic Trustee, Dr Kieran Moriarty, has done in providing the evidence for the benefits of AA 12-step Facilitation Programmes to the NICE consultation on Alcohol-use disorders. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)A Quality Standards Guidance “Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and treatment” (QS11) published on 6th July 2023 now strongly endorses and recommends AA 12step Facilitation Programmes. The NICE guidance provides “best practice” recommendations to national policy makers in England and Wales and as it now includes many references to the benefits of AA it is, and will be, an amazing support to the Fellowship and especially to our Health Liaison Officers. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) updated the “AA and Healthcare in the Community” Chapter 6 in “The AA Service Handbook 2023 “. Our pamphlet (produced in 2022) “A Guide for the Health Liaison Officer” which was originally intended as an internal document, will be presented to Conference in 2024 to enable wider distribution. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) continues to support the valuable work carried out by our Regional and Intergroup Liaison Officers, offering them the opportunity to share good practice at the annual Liaison event.

Literature: Conference 2023 approved changes and additions to the AA handbooks.

Revisions for ‘Location of the Conference’, ‘Regional Assembly’, how ‘GSB operates through Committees’ and the chapter on ‘Conventions’, in the AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain.
Revised Chapter 6: ‘AA and Healthcare in the Community’ in the Service Handbook for Great Britain.

The Illustrated Traditions pamphlet was withdrawn from sale and as an interim measure, replaced with the ‘Experience Has Taught Us’ leaflet published by AAWS.

The following are proposed for Conference 2024.

Handbook Changes

A new chapter in the Service Handbook: ‘Publications’ Chapter: Share, Roundabout and AA Service News; how the committees which deliver these publications, work.
Revisions to the Service Handbook Chapter: Probation and Criminal Justice Services.
The Structure Handbook under point 2 in the introduction has a revised history bringing AA Great Britain fully upto-date, please see ‘A brief history of AA in Great Britain’.
Each handbook has a new glossary of terms, hopefully making them much more accessible to the reader.

Literature Revisions

New Items of Literature

Pamphlet on ‘Probation and Criminal Justice Services’ to aid professionals in these services understand AA and help members on their release from prison.

Page 8

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Up and Coming Literature

A pamphlet on Mental Health comprised of Fellowship stories of mental health in sobriety.

Prisons: The Prison Sub-Committee had no members until the end of September due to four members simultaneously rotating out when three joined. The quarterly newsletter will resume for which letters either from prisoners or people with prison experience are welcome. In March I attended the Scottish and Northern National Conventions hosting Prison stands to inform on the roles within the AA Structure: prison sponsors, Intergroup and Regional Liaison officers assisted with this by two regional LO officers, and our NAT Tom Fox, a Senior Civil Servant within the Prison Service and in June gave a presentation on the Prison Discipline at the Midland Region’s Service Forum. In June we held our annual Regional Liaison Officers meeting and on 1st July held a joint Prison and Probation/CJS Seminar at the Park Inn York with over 60 in attendance. We had speakers Wendy Sinclare-Geiben, HMCIP who spoke of the Scottish prison service and Sarah Hancock HMPS, compliance manager who deals with clearance. The sub-committee investigated the possibility of conducting meetings using a video link via a 3rd party but decided against this as in addition prisons are approaching us to fetch AA into their prisons. It is my pleasure to be of service and if you have any questions, please contact me or the subcommittee, we will be pleased to help you.

Page 9

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

success with enthusiastic professional and recovering alcoholic speakers. Criminal justice professionals attended Westminster and Holyrood parliamentary events. Glasgow Court committee continues to provide service at the Alcohol Court and the Custody Suite service work in London Region North is making inroads. The Probation Sub Committee, has reviewed, updated, and submitted our external facing leaflet, now titled; Alcoholics Anonymous as a Resource for Criminal Justice Professionals for conference 2024.

Conventions

Northern National Convention (NNC) was held in March 2023 at the Norbreck Castle Hotel Blackpool, with an attendance of over 950. The NNC is sponsored by three Regions, Midlands, North East and North West and its committee is made up of three delegates from each region plus the executive committee. The committee meet regularly, and the AGM was held in October 2023 to enable preparations to commence for the 48th Convention to be held 15th-17th March 2024.

Scottish National Convention: The 66th Scottish National Convention, was held at the Queens Hall, Dunoon on 28th to 30th of April. Online registration on the SNC website assisted with planning and event management. The convention took its regular form of meetings being hosted by each Region, with a Young Persons and Old timers meeting, the Saturday night meeting was open including an Al Anon speaker and rounded off with a sobriety countdown. Al Anon also had their own meeting room and meetings were well attended. The dedicated service room was popular being shared by invited service disciplines and a literature table. The Convention Chair rotated out at the AGM after steering the committee through covid and troublesome times, we are grateful for her service and look forward to the continued success of the convention with our new Chair. The Committee has been working effectively and met in person and online throughout the year and continue to do so. The planned 67th Scottish National Convention will again be held at The Queens Hall, Dunoon with capacity in the main hall for 450 with more of the meetings being open to attract those interested in finding out more about Alcoholics Anonymous and Alcoholism. The 67th Scottish National Convention will take place 26th to 28th April 2023.

Page 10

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Welsh National convention was held at the Metropole hotel, Llandrindnod Wells on the 2nd – 4th June 2023 with 163 attendees. On the Saturday there was a Welsh speaking meeting with a simultaneous translation into English along with other tabletop shares, a workshop and marathon meetings alongside. A room was available for Al-anon, and entertainment provided. This year's convention will be held at the same venue 31st May to 2nd June. All are welcome to join us for a warm Welsh welcome.

Senydd Assembly took place on the 14th of November 2023, hosted by Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru in the Senydd Cardiff Bay and was well attended with about 20 professionals present. The Armed Services video was played, and our Chair of the Board spoke about their role, and I informed on the role of the Wales and Borders Trustee. Two members shared their Experience, Strength and Hope and created the opportunity to for a Q and A session. The presentation helped us continue forming links and giving insight into the disease of alcoholism.

Page 11

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

The Westminster Parliamentary Event Committee delivered a well-attended face-to-face event in the Atlee Suite in Portcullis House on 16 May 2023, sponsored and hosted by Steve Brine, Conservative MP for Winchester. The two nonalcoholic professional speakers spoke highly of what AA had to offer and the AA speakers shared their experience strength and hope as well as talking about how AA is addressing the diversity issue and working to make the fellowship more welcoming and open to people of all different cultures and background. After a brief summer break, the committee has reformed with new members and is planning the Westminster event for 2024, on Tuesday 21 May 2024 with our sponsor this year, Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central. The professional non-AA speakers are yet to be selected with the fellowship asked to invite their service professional contacts and colleagues who would benefit from hearing more about AA. The event’s emphasis is on is getting MPs and parliamentary advisors, health professionals, practitioners and people who encounter and work with the still suffering alcoholic, and who don’t know much about AA, to come along to hear what AA has to offer.

Young People’s service continues to be enthusiastic and engaged, with a lot of work being done across the country to help carry the message of recovery to younger people. A Young People’s Roadshow was held in Cardiff in April 2023 which, like previous events, generated a lot of enthusiasm for the service with new Young People’s meetings being set up, and more members engaging in service across the structure. Another roadshow is planned for May 2024 in Glasgow with a variety of interesting and inspiring speakers. The Young People’s Sub Committee continue to hold online drop-in meetings every quarter to provide an opportunity for liaison officers and anyone interested in the role to get support and share experience. The sub-committee have also started a podcast called ‘They Stopped in Time’ which is available on the usual podcast platforms. There is an established and supportive community of Young People’s liaison officers across the country, who share their experience, advice and resources to help each other carry the message of recovery.

b. Investment policy and performance

The investment aim is to achieve steady growth of the capital over the medium term, by holding a proportion of investment funds in equity or equity-related investments, balanced by a substantial element of lower risk, stable investments of gilts or cash-based investments.

The Charity now holds 400,653 units in the Fund which on 30 September 2023 had a market value of 279.28p per unit. Giving the Charity investment a market value of £1,118,943. Due to the fluctuations within the Stock Market this value will vary week by week. Notwithstanding the sale of the units our investment should still provide the Charity with an estimated regular income of approximately £30,000 per annum.

Financial review

a. Introduction

The Fellowship across AAGB has continued to recover, along with the rest of Society, from the pandemic. I’m pleased to inform that the Charity’s finances have remained in a stable position despite additional pressures of high inflation with reserves slightly under our Warranty 2 Reserves Level.

Page 12

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

b. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity 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.

c. Reserves policy

The Trustees' have established a policy whereby reserves held by the Charity should exceed 1.25 years unrestricted expenditure, which equates to approximately £2,320,996 (2022: £2,279,336). This is considered the minimum to ensure the continuation of the basic services to the Fellowship during times of economic stress. Total funds held at the year-end is £2,636,622 (2022: £2,723,886). Included in the total funds is a balance of restricted funds of £142,813 (2022: £126,511).

Free reserves held amount to £2,296,615 and is arrived at by taking unrestricted funds less fixed asset and stock balances. This is within £24,000 of the target level.

The GSB plan to utilise the funds which are currently surplus to basic requirements reserves by:

Absorbing the price increases in the production of literature, and where possible, reducing the price of some literature to make it more accessible to Members;
Maintaining the current level of subsidies, for example, absorbing any accommodation price increases that would otherwise result in increased Conference Delegate fees;
Funding approved projects without prioritisation, in spite of price rises;
Continuing to support the development of AA overseas by maintaining its level of contribution to the World Service Literature fund and responding positively to appeals from AAWS; and
Continuing to fulfil existing and additional services, as requested by the Fellowship.

d. Material investments policy

Our investments continue to be managed by Churches, Charities & Local Authorities (CCLA) which is an ethical company. During the year the charity received an income of £43,597 from our investments.

e. Principal risks and uncertainties

The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified by the Trustees, including financial, the traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous and our reputation. The Charity is a non-political organisation and dealing with preservation of integrity is covered in the 12 Traditions of AA, detailed below.

Formal management control systems and procedures, operating policies and manual processes have been agreed and established as part of ongoing risk assessment, to mitigate risks. Mitigation of financial risk is further addressed by the policy of holding reserves, as detailed below.

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
For our purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Page 13

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
AA should remain forever non-professional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
AA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

f. Financial risk management objectives and policies

Our risk management policy is to support the financial and reputational integrity of the charity by

a: maintaining our free reserves to the value of 1.25 x annual expenditure through a policy of apportioning our reserves by the approximate ratio of 50:25:25 (Investments. Cash, Deposits) and

b: upholding the reputation of the Charity by close adherence to the Charity Commission reporting guidelines on Safeguarding, by reporting to the Charity Commission any potential for reputational harm to the either the Charity or the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous which the Charity serves.

g. Principal funding

Income from the sale of literature amounted to £785,768. This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of £703,715.

The literature costs realised £353,396 compared to £249,195 in 2022-23. Our Total Income for the year is £1,769,948. Our Total Expenditure for the year is £1,871,836. Our Net Expenditure for 2022-23 before gains on investments is £101,888. Our Net Gains on Investments is £14,624. Our Net Expenditure for the year is £87,264. Prudent Reserve is currently £2,320,996.

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO)

The above figures are detailed in the following pages of this Annual Report.

Page 14

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Governance - The Relationships between the Board and its Supporters and Consultation Mechanisms.

The Board is a Limited Company regulated by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as laid down in the Companies Acts. This instrument is a legal document which has bearing only on The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited.

The Board serves the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain and, in common with other groups of Trusted Servants, depends upon the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Concepts for Service and the Charter of the General Service Conference to guide its policies.

Because the Board is a Charitable Company registered in England, Wales and Scotland these instruments must be appropriate to their application in Great Britain and written in language which makes it clear that the Board recognises its responsibilities under English and Scottish Law.

Alcoholics Anonymous (The Fellowship) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are selfsupporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution, does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses or opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

AA members meet as Groups which form elected, representative service bodies, Intergroups and Regions, whose purpose is to facilitate the carrying of the AA message by the groups to the still-suffering alcoholic. This service structure nominates persons for election to the General Service Board. The General Service Board serves the Fellowship by providing central services of various types and is a registered charity. The Groups, Intergroups and Regions are recognised by the Charity Commissioners as informal, autonomous "affiliated groups" which have no independent constitution. As such, they are not to be accountable to the General Service Board nor to the Charity Commission. The governance of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain is based on the voluntary instruments; The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Concepts for Service and the Charter of the General Service Conference. Consultation between the main Charity, the General Service Board, and its Supporters, the Groups, Intergroups and Regions of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain takes place on a regular basis through service forums and workshops and an annual General Service Conference comprised of elected delegates from each of the Regions in Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain and the Trustees of the Board.

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Trustee appointments are made solely by the General Service Board - Trustees are nominated by Regional bodies of the Fellowship, interviewed by the Nominations Committee of the Board who recommend the candidate they feel is most suitable to the Board who consider the recommendation and decide on the appointment by vote, ratification of the Trustees takes place at our Annual Conference in April after which Trustees have full voting rights. The General Service Board reserves the right to revoke any appointment.

Page 15

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management (continued)

c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies

The Board of Trustees makes policy based on its own initiative and guidance by the annual conference of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. This policy is executed via its General Service Office (and subsidiary offices the Northern Service Office and Southern Service Office) which is in charge of day to day operations.

d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

Induction takes place prior to the General Service Board meeting after Trustee appointments and consists of a presentation to explain the responsibilities of being a Trustee plus documentation which includes 'The Good Trustee Guide'. Subsequently every trustee attends external trustee training.

e. Pay policy for key management personnel

The Directors consider the Board of Directors, who are also the Charity's Trustees, and the Senior Management Team comprise the Key Management Personnel of the Charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Charity on a day to day basis. All Directors give of their time freely and no Director received any remuneration in the year. Details of Directors' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in Note 31 to the Financial Statements.

The pay for the Senior Management Team is reviewed annually and normally increased in accordance with average earnings and CPI inflation. In view of the nature of the Charity, the Directors benchmark against pay levels in other organisations. The remuneration benchmark is above the mid-point of the range paid for similar roles adjusted for a weighting of up to 30% for any additional responsibilities. If recruitment has proven difficult in the recent past a market addition is also paid.

f. Related party relationships

The Charity serves the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous by taking guidance of goods and services to be rendered through its annual conference. It has no other relationships with any other charities and organisations in the pursuit of its charitable objectives.

g. Trustees' indemnities

There is no qualifying third party indemnity provision in force at the time of approval of the report or during the period, for the benefit of one or more directors.

Plans for future periods

Future plans of the charity include the following: -

review of existing and the issue of new literature including leaflets and pamphlets
holdings conventions
committees continuing supporting various groups
continuing support through phone lines and email More detail is noted above in the achievements and performance section.

Page 16

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity 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 . 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 charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and 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.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:

so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

The auditors, BHP LLP, were appointed during the year. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Clive Kilmartin (Feb 7, 2024 17:48 GMT)

Clive Kilmartin Treasurer 07/02/2024

Page 17

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

We have audited the financial statements of The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 30 September 2023, which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. 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).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 30 September 2023, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

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 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.

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 charitable company’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 trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the trustees' report. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

Page 18

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

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:

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trsutees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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 directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company 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 have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Page 19

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

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:

the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively has the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with management and trustees, and from our knowledge and experience of this organisation;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, data protection, health and safety and employment laws;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquires of management and trustees; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non compliance throughout the audit of the charitable company.

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

making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risks of fraud through management override of controls, we: performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected variances;

tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgments and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 3 were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

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

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

Page 20

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

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.

Laura Masheder (Senior statutory auditor)

BHP LLP

BHP LLP (Mar 12, 2024 15:51 GMT) for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court York YO24 1AH

Date: 12/03/2024

Page 21

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Publication income 5 Investments 6 Other income 7 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities - publications 8 Charitable activities - other activity 9 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before net gains/(losses) on investments Net gains/(losses) on investments 16 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 23	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 909,254 785,768 43,585 - 1,738,607 828,164 1,028,633 1,856,797 (118,190) 14,624 (103,566) 2,597,375 (103,566) 2,493,809	Restricted funds 2023 £ 31,329 - 12 - 31,341 - 15,039 15,039 16,302 - 16,302 126,511 16,302 142,813	Total funds 2023 £ 940,583 785,768 43,597 - 1,769,948 828,164 1,043,672 1,871,836 (101,888) 14,624 (87,264) 2,723,886 (87,264) 2,636,622	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 1,143,061 703,715 37,899 (32,329) 1,852,346 811,285 1,012,184 1,823,469 28,877 (81,974) (53,097) 2,776,983 (53,097) 2,723,886

The Statement of Financial Activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements.

Page 22

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REGISTERED NUMBER: 00587316

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 Investments 16 Current assets Stocks 17 Debtors 18 Investments 19 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 20 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 23 Unrestricted funds 23 Total funds	195,673 96,579 486,047 821,891 1,600,190 (84,032)	2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,120,464 1,516,158 2,636,622 142,813 2,493,809 2,636,622	256,245 103,245 486,047 813,985 1,659,522 (43,391)	As restated 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319
				1,107,755 1,616,131

				2,723,886
				126,511 2,597,375

				2,723,886

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Clive Kilmartin (Feb 7, 2024 17:48 GMT)

Clive Kilmartin

Trustee Date: 07/02/2024

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements.

Page 23

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 26 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 27	2023 £ (34,665) 43,598 (1,027) 42,571 7,906 813,985 821,891	As restated 2022 £ (171,210) 37,899 (2,510) 35,389 (135,821) 949,806 813,985

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements

Page 24

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

1. General information

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited is an incorporated charity registered in England and Wales. The charity is also registered in Scotland. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity's operations and activities are set out on page 2 of these financial statements and include assisting alcoholics to overcome their addiction to alcohol and maintain sobriety.

In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited 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.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

2.2 Going concern

As part of their assessment of the going concern basis of preparation, budgets are not prepared, however the trustees have considered the impact of current and recent events on the charity's activities and workforce, as well as the wider economy. The trustees are confident that they have in place plans to deal with any financial losses that may arise.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the group and parent charitable company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Page 25

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations receivable for the general purpose of the charity are credited to unrestricted funds. Donations for purpose restricted by the wishes of the donor are taken to restricted funds where these wishes are legally binding on the trustees.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Grants received in relation to the government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme have been recognised within other incoming resources. The grant is accounted for on the accruals basis once the related payroll return has been submitted.

Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

2.4 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.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Page 26

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5 Interest receivable

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 or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

At each reporting date the charity assesses whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined to be the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. An impairment loss is recognised where the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Fixtures and fittings	-	25% per annum straight line
Computer equipment	-	33% per annum straight line

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Page 27

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 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 the 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 presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of Financial Activities.

2.9 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.

2.10 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.

2.11 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.12 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 charity 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.

2.13 Financial instruments

The charity 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.

Page 28

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.14 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2.15 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.16 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 charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity 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 is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

There are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Page 29

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies

*Donations* Contributions Gift aid Conventions Conference contributions Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 858,101 24,277 8,050 18,826 909,254 1,135,888	Restricted funds 2023 £ 31,329 - - - 31,329 7,173	Total funds 2023 £ 889,430 24,277 8,050 18,826 940,583 1,143,061	Total funds 2022 £ 983,742 50,026 1,355 107,938
				1,143,061

5. Publication income

Sales of literature Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 785,768 684,327	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 19,388	Total funds 2023 £ 785,768 703,715	Total funds 2022 £ 703,715

The charity benefits from the input of volunteers who assist with the packing of quarterly newletters. In accordance with the Charities SORP, the economic contribution of volunteers is not recognised in the financial statements.

Page 30

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

6. Investment income

Fixed asset investment income Deposit account interest Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 34,496 9,089 43,585 37,865	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 12 12 34	Total funds 2023 £ 34,496 9,101 43,597 37,899	Total funds 2022 £ 33,975 3,924
				37,899

7. Other income

Coronavirus job retention scheme grant Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ - (32,329)	Total funds 2023 £ - (32,329)	Total funds 2022 £ (32,329)

The prior year charge to income relates to repayment of the Coronavirus job retention scheme grant, which was agreed at board level.

Page 31

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - publications

Purchase of literature Premises costs Office expenses Public information and publication costs Conference costs Website Irrecoverable VAT Financial expenses General expenses Provision for write off of old literature Staff costs Total 2022 as restated	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 323,396 40,809 130,336 37,326 77,666 41,471 53,478 19,001 10,417 30,000 64,264 828,164 811,285	Total funds 2023 £ 323,396 40,809 130,336 37,326 77,666 41,471 53,478 19,001 10,417 30,000 64,264 828,164 811,285	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 249,195 36,902 88,491 35,307 228,014 18,342 54,835 15,982 22,849 - 61,368
			811,285

Page 32

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - other activity

Summary by fund type

Charitable activities Total 2022 as restated	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,028,633 986,865	Restricted funds 2023 £ 15,039 25,319	Total 2023 £ 1,043,672 1,012,184	As restated Total 2022 £ 1,012,184

10. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities Total 2022 as restated	Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ 529,088 507,787	Support costs 2023 £ 514,584 504,397	Total funds 2023 £ 1,043,672 1,012,184	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 1,012,184

Page 33

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

10. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses General expenses Total 2022 as restated Analysis of support costs Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses Financial expenses General expenses Governance costs (note 11) Total 2022	Activities 2023 £ 334,172 76,292 43,301 75,323 529,088 507,787 Activities 2023 £ 244,202 59,782 49,287 60 57,638 103,615 514,584 504,397	Total funds 2023 £ 334,172 76,292 43,301 75,323 529,088 507,787 Total funds 2023 £ 244,202 59,782 49,287 60 57,638 103,615 514,584 504,397	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 319,113 70,149 35,672 82,853
			507,787
			Total funds 2022 £ 233,198 54,528 40,570 65 52,968 123,068
			504,397

Page 34

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

11. Governance costs

Trustees' expenses Professional fees Net income/(expenditure) *This is stated after charging:* Depreciation of tangible fixed assets owned by the charity Operating lease expenditure	2023 £ 58,168 45,447 103,615 2023 £ 2,942 108,813	2022 £ 53,039 70,029
		123,068
		2022 £ 2,600 213,976

12. Net income/(expenditure)

13. Auditors' remuneration Fees payable to the charity's auditor for the audit of the charity's annual accounts Fees payable to the charity's auditor in respect of: All non-audit services not included above 14. Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes	2023 £ 13,580 1,270 2023 £ 536,824 51,357 54,457 642,638	2022 £ 8,000 1,600
		2022 £ 515,501 49,934 48,244

		613,679

Page 35

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

14. Staff costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Full-time staff Part-time staff	2023 No. 11 9 20	2022 No. 12 8 20

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

During the year the key management personnel's remuneration, including employers' pension and national insurance, totalled £324,381 (2022: £317,417). The key management personnel are listed on page 1.

15. Tangible fixed assets

*Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2022 Additions At 30 September 2023 *Depreciation* At 1 October 2022 Charge for the year At 30 September 2023 *Net book value* At 30 September 2023 At 30 September 2022	Fixtures and fittings £ 135,757 - 135,757 135,757 - 135,757 - -	Computer equipment £ 39,378 1,027 40,405 35,942 2,942 38,884 1,521 3,436	Total £ 175,135 1,027
			176,162
			171,699 2,942
			174,641
			1,521
			3,436

Page 36

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

16. Fixed asset investments

*Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2022 Revaluations At 30 September 2023 *Net book value* At 30 September 2023 At 30 September 2022 The historical cost of the listed investments is £880,171.	Listed investments £ 1,104,319 14,624
	1,118,943
	1,118,943
	1,104,319

17. Stocks Goods for resale 18. Debtors *Due within one year* Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments	2023 £ 195,673 2023 £ 4,690 26,227 65,662 96,579	2022 £ 256,245 2022 £ 37,305 14,072 51,868 103,245

Page 37

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

19. Current asset investments

	2023	2022
	£	£
Longer term deposits	486,047	486,047

Current asset investments comprise a reserve account with a 3 year notice period.

20. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income	2023 £ 43,867 2,320 37,845 84,032	2022 £ 8,088 2,490 32,813

		43,391

21. Deferred income

Deferred income at 1 October Income deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods *Deferred income at 30 September*	2023 £ 11,471 15,036 (11,471) 15,036	2022 £ 8,652 11,471 (8,652)

		11,471

Deferred income includes amounts paid in advance for Share and Roundabout magazine subscription royalties.

Page 38

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

22. Prior year adjustments

The prior year balance sheet and cash flow statement have been restated to show cash deposits with a maturity date of more than 3 months as current asset investments rather than cash and cash equivalents in order to comply with the requirements of the SORP 2019 (FRS 102). This has no overall impact on the net assets of the charity at 30 September and does not impact the statement of financial activities for that year.

In addition, upon review of the objects of the charity, it became clear that the creation and distribution of publications to support the fellowship was part of the charitable objects and was not a fundraising activity. Accordingly Other trading activity income of £703,715 has been reallocated to Publication income and £756,450 has been reallocated from expenditure on raising funds to expenditure on charitable activity - publications, to properly reflect that charitable nature of this activity. This adjustment has no impact on gross income, gross expenditure or the overall result for the year.

Page 39

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

23. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

*Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds* Statement of funds - prior year *Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds*	Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 68,702 57,809 126,511 2,723,886 Balance at 1 October 2021 £ 2,651,748 49,541 75,694 125,235 2,776,983	Income £ 1,738,607 25,973 5,368 31,341 1,769,948 Income £ 1,825,751 19,388 7,207 26,595 1,852,346	Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (4,315) (10,724) (15,039) (1,871,836) Expenditure £ (1,798,150) (227) (25,092) (25,319) (1,823,469)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - - - 14,624 Gains/ (Losses) £ (81,974) - - - (81,974)	Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809
					90,360 52,453
					142,813
					2,636,622
					Balance at 30 September 2022 £ 2,597,375
					68,702 57,809
					126,511
					2,723,886

Page 40

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

23. Statement of funds (continued)

The Development fund relates to book royalties from the sale of The Big Book, As Bill Sees It and 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. Expenditure for the Development fund is subject to board approval and is used to help and support the establishment of the Fellowship abroad.

The primary purpose of the European Service Meeting fund is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers, whoever he may be, whatever language he speaks. The European Service Meeting fund is administered by the charity and is currently self-supporting by contributions of those countries which attend the European Service Meeting.

24. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General funds Restricted funds Summary of funds - prior year General funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 126,511 2,723,886 Balance at 1 October 2021 £ 2,651,748 125,235 2,776,983	Income £ 1,738,607 31,341 1,769,948 Income £ 1,825,751 26,595 1,852,346	Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (15,039) (1,871,836) Expenditure £ (1,798,150) (25,319) (1,823,469)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - 14,624 Gains/ (Losses) £ (81,974) - (81,974)	Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809 142,813
					2,636,622
					Balance at 30 September 2022 £ 2,597,375 126,511
					2,723,886

Page 41

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

25. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total* Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total*	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,457,377 (84,032) 2,493,809 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319 1,533,011 (43,391) 2,597,375	Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 142,813 - 142,813 Restricted funds 2022 £ - - 126,511 - 126,511	Total funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,600,190 (84,032) 2,636,622 Total funds 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319 1,659,522 (43,391) 2,723,886

Page 42

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

26. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) *Adjustments for:* Depreciation charges Gains/(losses) on investments Dividends and interest from investments Decrease/(increase) in stocks Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors *Net cash used in operating activities*	2023 £ (87,264) 2,942 (14,624) (43,598) 60,572 6,666 40,641 (34,665)	2022 £ (53,097)
		2,600 81,974 (37,899) (62,453) (3,545) (98,790)

		(171,210)

27. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand *Total cash and cash equivalents* 28. Analysis of changes in net debt Cash at bank and in hand	At 1 October 2022 £ 813,985 813,985	2023 £ 821,891 821,891 Cash flows £ 7,906 7,906	As restated 2022 £ 813,985

			813,985
			At 30 September 2023 £ 821,891
			821,891

Page 43

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

29. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £54,457 (2022: £48,244).

30. Operating lease commitments

At 30 September 2023 the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years Later than 5 years	2023 £ 238,580 639,960 208,498 1,087,038	2022 £ 78,841 300,000 318,750

		697,591

31. Related party transactions

Trustee remuneration and benefits

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustee expenses

Expenses amount to £62,420 were paid to all trustees for expenses relating to travel, subsistence and accommodation whilst attending meetings and events on behalf of the general service board (2022: £53,059 to all trustees).

Trustee other related parties

There are no other related parties in the current or previous year.

Page 44

Going concern 18. We believe that the charity's financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charity's needs. We also confirm our plans for future actionlsl required to enable the charity to continue as a going concern are feasible. We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We believe that no further disc105ures relatingto the charity's ability to continue as a going concern need to be made in the financial statements. Grants and donations 19. All grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or condttions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such income. 20. All income received with known restrirtions in application has been recognised appropriately as restricted income in the financial statements. Yours faithfully ONl7GmTl Signed on behalf of the board of trustees 1910112024

2024-03-12

Final Audit Report

binder_5

Created: 2024-02-07 By: Candice Church (candice.church@bhp.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAZwJ1gi31_RQiF_6AC_5NyWuIvxPDvI9y

"binder_5" History

Document created by Candice Church (candice.church@bhp.co.uk)

2024-02-07 - 11:25:57 AM GMT

Document emailed to trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk for signature

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Email viewed by trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk

2024-02-07 - 5:33:17 PM GMT

Signer trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk entered name at signing as Justin Tunstall 2024-02-07 - 5:35:33 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Justin Tunstall (trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk)

Signature Date: 2024-02-07 - 5:35:35 PM GMT - Time Source: server

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Email viewed by trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk

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Signer trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk entered name at signing as Clive Kilmartin 2024-02-07 - 5:47:59 PM GMT
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Signature Date: 2024-03-12 - 3:51:32 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Agreement completed.

2024-03-12 - 3:51:32 PM GMT

Registered number: 00587316 Charity number: 226745/SCO38023

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

	Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers	1 - 2
Chair's statement	3 - 4
Trustees' report	5 - 17
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements	18 - 21
Statement of financial activities	22
Balance sheet	23
Statement of cash flows	24
Notes to the financial statements	25 - 44

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Trustees	Ranjana Bell(appointed 16 April 2023)
	HollyAlexander(appointed 16 April 2023)
	HenryLowe(appointed 16 April 2023)
	Emma Gipson(appointed 16 April 2023)
	Levente Patocs
	Charon Bourke
	Malcolm McSwan
	Dr Kieran Moriarty
	Zelma Kesans
	Tim Barker
	John Coady
	Andrina Cassidy
	Gretchen Swisher
	Joanna Faul
	Justin Tunstall
	Charles Roberts
	Thomas Fox
	Barbara Owen
	Stephen Smith
	Clive Kilmartin
	Thomas Baldwin(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Louise Foxcroft(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Dr Mani Mehdikhani(resigned 16 April 2023)
	Amanda Stocks(resigned 16 April 2023)

Company registered number 00587316 Charity registered number 226745/SCO38023 Registered office The General Service Office PO Box 1 York YO1 7NJ General secretary Ranjan Battacharyya

Key management personnel R Battacharyya - General Secretary

Page 1

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Page 2

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

It is a privilege to present this year’s Annual Report on behalf of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain.

Our Fellowship has learned from our experience in the pandemic and meetings on online platforms are now an accepted tool, both for groups and for bodies in the Service Structure, wherein some business is now conducted online. Approximately half of the GSB sub-committee meetings are now held in this manner, with the balance happening face-toface for fellowship, and to foster the most effective working relationships. Hybrid capability is now available in two meeting spaces within the General Service Office in York.

Page 3

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

With thanks for allowing me to be of service, and to my predecessor, Amanda S, who sponsored me into this role.

Justin Tunstall

Justin Tunst ~~a~~ ll (Feb 7, 2024 17:35 GMT)

Chair Date: 07/02/2024

Page 4

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The Charitable Company's main objective is to assist alcoholics to overcome their addiction to alcohol and maintain sobriety. To achieve that aim the Charitable Company;

serves the Fellowship known as Alcoholics Anonymous in such of its work of assisting alcoholics to achieve sobriety as is of a charitable nature
publishes and distributing books, pamphlets and other literature relating to alcoholism
explains the work of the Company to the General Public through the media,
holds net monies accruing to the Charitable Company pending application to the purposes of the Charitable Company.

In these ways the Charitable Company supports independent local groups established to uphold the primary objective of the Charitable Company.

b. Volunteers

The charitable company does not use volunteers to deliver its services.

c. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

Page 5

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the charity

Conference questions and recommendations in the winter and summer editions respectively
Regular messages from the General Secretary
Board meeting bullet points
Job adverts for sub-committees
Parliamentary events across the UK
Regular updates on how the website project is unfolding

Page 6

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Employment: Enthusiasm for carrying our message to Employers is encouraged by the development of care now required in employment situations. Greater responsibility is evolving for the welfare, safety and health of employees. The specific department in the workplace for this purpose often welcomes the specific contribution available from AA. Experienced members have joined our sub-committee this year, including a NAT (Non-Alcoholic Trustee). Further members are invited. The revision of our pamphlet "What do I do?" is prepared for approval at Conference 2024. Our annual June workshop for Regional Employment Liaison Officers (RELOs) was supported by alternative regional members where no RELO was in service, as was our Employment Liaison Seminar in October. We suggested opportunities for interaction with Employers such as ongoing work with the Northumbria police. The London Fire Brigade have had a further presentation through London Region South to their Mental Health First Aid Team - appreciating AA's specific value, complimenting their own health and safety programme. Posters for 102 Stations! Network Rail Safety/Pastoral Care received presentations in September and November. Slots being used on Station digital billboards for information. A presentation given to a National Bank's "Enable Disability Network" was followed by a presentation of the "AA Group at work", "Tips on Living Sober" and a "Myth Busting" session. These events were recorded for the bank’s internal use for those staff unable to attend the live meeting. Literature and an Al-anon contact were supplied. The bank group leader subsequently reported their valued experience of AA at our Seminar in October. Our enthusiasm is well founded.

The First Response Online Sub-Committee (FROSC) is responsible for the administration of Chat Now, a live chat feature, and the Online Response Service (ORS), an email service. Both are run through the AAGB website, to encourage the stillsuffering alcoholic to either ring the helpline or attend a meeting. We work closely with the Telephones Sub Committee to share experience and best practice. Increasing numbers of still-suffering alcoholics are reaching out for help. Chat Now engages in approximately 1,200 live chats each month, and ORS averages 1,500 emails each month. To meet the growing need, we are working to raise awareness of these services and encourage members to become responders. We held a First Response Workshop in Glasgow in September 2023, and gave a presentation at South Midlands Region. We have been in touch with all regions to offer workshops or presentations on the services with several arranged for 2024. To fulfil our duty of care to responders and callers, we are in the process of introducing DBS checks for all responders, and

Page 7

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Health: Our biggest achievement this year has been the work our Non-Alcoholic Trustee, Dr Kieran Moriarty, has done in providing the evidence for the benefits of AA 12-step Facilitation Programmes to the NICE consultation on Alcohol-use disorders. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)A Quality Standards Guidance “Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis and treatment” (QS11) published on 6th July 2023 now strongly endorses and recommends AA 12step Facilitation Programmes. The NICE guidance provides “best practice” recommendations to national policy makers in England and Wales and as it now includes many references to the benefits of AA it is, and will be, an amazing support to the Fellowship and especially to our Health Liaison Officers. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) updated the “AA and Healthcare in the Community” Chapter 6 in “The AA Service Handbook 2023 “. Our pamphlet (produced in 2022) “A Guide for the Health Liaison Officer” which was originally intended as an internal document, will be presented to Conference in 2024 to enable wider distribution. The Health Sub Committee (HSC) continues to support the valuable work carried out by our Regional and Intergroup Liaison Officers, offering them the opportunity to share good practice at the annual Liaison event.

Literature: Conference 2023 approved changes and additions to the AA handbooks.

Revisions for ‘Location of the Conference’, ‘Regional Assembly’, how ‘GSB operates through Committees’ and the chapter on ‘Conventions’, in the AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain.
Revised Chapter 6: ‘AA and Healthcare in the Community’ in the Service Handbook for Great Britain.

The Illustrated Traditions pamphlet was withdrawn from sale and as an interim measure, replaced with the ‘Experience Has Taught Us’ leaflet published by AAWS.

The following are proposed for Conference 2024.

Handbook Changes

A new chapter in the Service Handbook: ‘Publications’ Chapter: Share, Roundabout and AA Service News; how the committees which deliver these publications, work.
Revisions to the Service Handbook Chapter: Probation and Criminal Justice Services.
The Structure Handbook under point 2 in the introduction has a revised history bringing AA Great Britain fully upto-date, please see ‘A brief history of AA in Great Britain’.
Each handbook has a new glossary of terms, hopefully making them much more accessible to the reader.

Literature Revisions

New Items of Literature

Pamphlet on ‘Probation and Criminal Justice Services’ to aid professionals in these services understand AA and help members on their release from prison.

Page 8

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Up and Coming Literature

A pamphlet on Mental Health comprised of Fellowship stories of mental health in sobriety.

Page 9

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Conventions

Page 10

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

Page 11

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance (continued)

b. Investment policy and performance

Financial review

a. Introduction

The Fellowship across AAGB has continued to recover, along with the rest of Society, from the pandemic. I’m pleased to inform that the Charity’s finances have remained in a stable position despite additional pressures of high inflation with reserves slightly under our Warranty 2 Reserves Level.

Page 12

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

b. Going concern

c. Reserves policy

Free reserves held amount to £2,296,615 and is arrived at by taking unrestricted funds less fixed asset and stock balances. This is within £24,000 of the target level.

The GSB plan to utilise the funds which are currently surplus to basic requirements reserves by:

Absorbing the price increases in the production of literature, and where possible, reducing the price of some literature to make it more accessible to Members;
Maintaining the current level of subsidies, for example, absorbing any accommodation price increases that would otherwise result in increased Conference Delegate fees;
Funding approved projects without prioritisation, in spite of price rises;
Continuing to support the development of AA overseas by maintaining its level of contribution to the World Service Literature fund and responding positively to appeals from AAWS; and
Continuing to fulfil existing and additional services, as requested by the Fellowship.

d. Material investments policy

Our investments continue to be managed by Churches, Charities & Local Authorities (CCLA) which is an ethical company. During the year the charity received an income of £43,597 from our investments.

e. Principal risks and uncertainties

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
For our purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Page 13

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
AA should remain forever non-professional, but our service centres may employ special workers.
AA, as such, ought never be organised; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
AA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

f. Financial risk management objectives and policies

Our risk management policy is to support the financial and reputational integrity of the charity by

a: maintaining our free reserves to the value of 1.25 x annual expenditure through a policy of apportioning our reserves by the approximate ratio of 50:25:25 (Investments. Cash, Deposits) and

g. Principal funding

Income from the sale of literature amounted to £785,768. This represents an increase from the previous year’s total of £703,715.

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO)

The above figures are detailed in the following pages of this Annual Report.

Page 14

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Governance - The Relationships between the Board and its Supporters and Consultation Mechanisms.

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Page 15

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management (continued)

c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies

d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees

e. Pay policy for key management personnel

f. Related party relationships

g. Trustees' indemnities

There is no qualifying third party indemnity provision in force at the time of approval of the report or during the period, for the benefit of one or more directors.

Plans for future periods

Future plans of the charity include the following: -

review of existing and the issue of new literature including leaflets and pamphlets
holdings conventions
committees continuing supporting various groups
continuing support through phone lines and email More detail is noted above in the achievements and performance section.

Page 16

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:

so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

The auditors, BHP LLP, were appointed during the year. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Clive Kilmartin (Feb 7, 2024 17:48 GMT)

Clive Kilmartin Treasurer 07/02/2024

Page 17

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 30 September 2023, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Basis for 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.

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

Other information

Page 18

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

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:

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trsutees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Page 19

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively has the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charitable company through discussions with management and trustees, and from our knowledge and experience of this organisation;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company, including the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, data protection, health and safety and employment laws;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquires of management and trustees; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non compliance throughout the audit of the charitable company.

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

making enquiries of management and trustees as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risks of fraud through management override of controls, we: performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected variances;

tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgments and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 3 were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

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

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

Page 20

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED (CONTINUED)

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

Laura Masheder (Senior statutory auditor)

BHP LLP

BHP LLP (Mar 12, 2024 15:51 GMT) for and on behalf of

BHP LLP

Rievaulx House 1 St Mary's Court York YO24 1AH

Date: 12/03/2024

Page 21

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Publication income 5 Investments 6 Other income 7 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities - publications 8 Charitable activities - other activity 9 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before net gains/(losses) on investments Net gains/(losses) on investments 16 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 23	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 909,254 785,768 43,585 - 1,738,607 828,164 1,028,633 1,856,797 (118,190) 14,624 (103,566) 2,597,375 (103,566) 2,493,809	Restricted funds 2023 £ 31,329 - 12 - 31,341 - 15,039 15,039 16,302 - 16,302 126,511 16,302 142,813	Total funds 2023 £ 940,583 785,768 43,597 - 1,769,948 828,164 1,043,672 1,871,836 (101,888) 14,624 (87,264) 2,723,886 (87,264) 2,636,622	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 1,143,061 703,715 37,899 (32,329) 1,852,346 811,285 1,012,184 1,823,469 28,877 (81,974) (53,097) 2,776,983 (53,097) 2,723,886

The Statement of Financial Activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements.

Page 22

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REGISTERED NUMBER: 00587316

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 15 Investments 16 Current assets Stocks 17 Debtors 18 Investments 19 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 20 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 23 Unrestricted funds 23 Total funds	195,673 96,579 486,047 821,891 1,600,190 (84,032)	2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,120,464 1,516,158 2,636,622 142,813 2,493,809 2,636,622	256,245 103,245 486,047 813,985 1,659,522 (43,391)	As restated 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319
				1,107,755 1,616,131

				2,723,886
				126,511 2,597,375

				2,723,886

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Clive Kilmartin (Feb 7, 2024 17:48 GMT)

Clive Kilmartin

Trustee Date: 07/02/2024

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements.

Page 23

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 26 Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 27	2023 £ (34,665) 43,598 (1,027) 42,571 7,906 813,985 821,891	As restated 2022 £ (171,210) 37,899 (2,510) 35,389 (135,821) 949,806 813,985

The notes on pages 25 to 44 form part of these financial statements

Page 24

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

1. General information

In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

2.2 Going concern

Page 25

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

Page 26

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5 Interest receivable

2.6 Taxation

2.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Fixtures and fittings	-	25% per annum straight line
Computer equipment	-	33% per annum straight line

Page 27

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.8 Investments

2.9 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.

2.10 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.

2.11 Cash at bank and in hand

2.12 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity 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.

2.13 Financial instruments

Page 28

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.14 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2.15 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.

2.16 Fund accounting

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

There are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Page 29

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies

*Donations* Contributions Gift aid Conventions Conference contributions Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 858,101 24,277 8,050 18,826 909,254 1,135,888	Restricted funds 2023 £ 31,329 - - - 31,329 7,173	Total funds 2023 £ 889,430 24,277 8,050 18,826 940,583 1,143,061	Total funds 2022 £ 983,742 50,026 1,355 107,938
				1,143,061

5. Publication income

Sales of literature Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 785,768 684,327	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 19,388	Total funds 2023 £ 785,768 703,715	Total funds 2022 £ 703,715

Page 30

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

6. Investment income

Fixed asset investment income Deposit account interest Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 34,496 9,089 43,585 37,865	Restricted funds 2023 £ - 12 12 34	Total funds 2023 £ 34,496 9,101 43,597 37,899	Total funds 2022 £ 33,975 3,924
				37,899

7. Other income

Coronavirus job retention scheme grant Total 2022	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ - (32,329)	Total funds 2023 £ - (32,329)	Total funds 2022 £ (32,329)

The prior year charge to income relates to repayment of the Coronavirus job retention scheme grant, which was agreed at board level.

Page 31

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - publications

Purchase of literature Premises costs Office expenses Public information and publication costs Conference costs Website Irrecoverable VAT Financial expenses General expenses Provision for write off of old literature Staff costs Total 2022 as restated	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 323,396 40,809 130,336 37,326 77,666 41,471 53,478 19,001 10,417 30,000 64,264 828,164 811,285	Total funds 2023 £ 323,396 40,809 130,336 37,326 77,666 41,471 53,478 19,001 10,417 30,000 64,264 828,164 811,285	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 249,195 36,902 88,491 35,307 228,014 18,342 54,835 15,982 22,849 - 61,368
			811,285

Page 32

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities - other activity

Summary by fund type

Charitable activities Total 2022 as restated	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,028,633 986,865	Restricted funds 2023 £ 15,039 25,319	Total 2023 £ 1,043,672 1,012,184	As restated Total 2022 £ 1,012,184

10. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities Total 2022 as restated	Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ 529,088 507,787	Support costs 2023 £ 514,584 504,397	Total funds 2023 £ 1,043,672 1,012,184	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 1,012,184

Page 33

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

10. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of direct costs

Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses General expenses Total 2022 as restated Analysis of support costs Staff costs Premises costs Office expenses Financial expenses General expenses Governance costs (note 11) Total 2022	Activities 2023 £ 334,172 76,292 43,301 75,323 529,088 507,787 Activities 2023 £ 244,202 59,782 49,287 60 57,638 103,615 514,584 504,397	Total funds 2023 £ 334,172 76,292 43,301 75,323 529,088 507,787 Total funds 2023 £ 244,202 59,782 49,287 60 57,638 103,615 514,584 504,397	As restated Total funds 2022 £ 319,113 70,149 35,672 82,853
			507,787
			Total funds 2022 £ 233,198 54,528 40,570 65 52,968 123,068
			504,397

Page 34

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

11. Governance costs

Trustees' expenses Professional fees Net income/(expenditure) *This is stated after charging:* Depreciation of tangible fixed assets owned by the charity Operating lease expenditure	2023 £ 58,168 45,447 103,615 2023 £ 2,942 108,813	2022 £ 53,039 70,029
		123,068
		2022 £ 2,600 213,976

12. Net income/(expenditure)

13. Auditors' remuneration Fees payable to the charity's auditor for the audit of the charity's annual accounts Fees payable to the charity's auditor in respect of: All non-audit services not included above 14. Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes	2023 £ 13,580 1,270 2023 £ 536,824 51,357 54,457 642,638	2022 £ 8,000 1,600
		2022 £ 515,501 49,934 48,244

		613,679

Page 35

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

14. Staff costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Full-time staff Part-time staff	2023 No. 11 9 20	2022 No. 12 8 20

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

15. Tangible fixed assets

*Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2022 Additions At 30 September 2023 *Depreciation* At 1 October 2022 Charge for the year At 30 September 2023 *Net book value* At 30 September 2023 At 30 September 2022	Fixtures and fittings £ 135,757 - 135,757 135,757 - 135,757 - -	Computer equipment £ 39,378 1,027 40,405 35,942 2,942 38,884 1,521 3,436	Total £ 175,135 1,027
			176,162
			171,699 2,942
			174,641
			1,521
			3,436

Page 36

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

16. Fixed asset investments

*Cost or valuation* At 1 October 2022 Revaluations At 30 September 2023 *Net book value* At 30 September 2023 At 30 September 2022 The historical cost of the listed investments is £880,171.	Listed investments £ 1,104,319 14,624
	1,118,943
	1,118,943
	1,104,319

17. Stocks Goods for resale 18. Debtors *Due within one year* Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments	2023 £ 195,673 2023 £ 4,690 26,227 65,662 96,579	2022 £ 256,245 2022 £ 37,305 14,072 51,868 103,245

Page 37

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

19. Current asset investments

	2023	2022
	£	£
Longer term deposits	486,047	486,047

Current asset investments comprise a reserve account with a 3 year notice period.

20. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income	2023 £ 43,867 2,320 37,845 84,032	2022 £ 8,088 2,490 32,813

		43,391

21. Deferred income

Deferred income at 1 October Income deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods *Deferred income at 30 September*	2023 £ 11,471 15,036 (11,471) 15,036	2022 £ 8,652 11,471 (8,652)

		11,471

Deferred income includes amounts paid in advance for Share and Roundabout magazine subscription royalties.

Page 38

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

22. Prior year adjustments

Page 39

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

23. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

*Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds* Statement of funds - prior year *Unrestricted funds* General Fund *Restricted funds* Development Fund European Service Meeting *Total of funds*	Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 68,702 57,809 126,511 2,723,886 Balance at 1 October 2021 £ 2,651,748 49,541 75,694 125,235 2,776,983	Income £ 1,738,607 25,973 5,368 31,341 1,769,948 Income £ 1,825,751 19,388 7,207 26,595 1,852,346	Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (4,315) (10,724) (15,039) (1,871,836) Expenditure £ (1,798,150) (227) (25,092) (25,319) (1,823,469)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - - - 14,624 Gains/ (Losses) £ (81,974) - - - (81,974)	Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809
					90,360 52,453
					142,813
					2,636,622
					Balance at 30 September 2022 £ 2,597,375
					68,702 57,809
					126,511
					2,723,886

Page 40

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

23. Statement of funds (continued)

24. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General funds Restricted funds Summary of funds - prior year General funds Restricted funds	Balance at 1 October 2022 £ 2,597,375 126,511 2,723,886 Balance at 1 October 2021 £ 2,651,748 125,235 2,776,983	Income £ 1,738,607 31,341 1,769,948 Income £ 1,825,751 26,595 1,852,346	Expenditure £ (1,856,797) (15,039) (1,871,836) Expenditure £ (1,798,150) (25,319) (1,823,469)	Gains/ (Losses) £ 14,624 - 14,624 Gains/ (Losses) £ (81,974) - (81,974)	Balance at 30 September 2023 £ 2,493,809 142,813
					2,636,622
					Balance at 30 September 2022 £ 2,597,375 126,511
					2,723,886

Page 41

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

25. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total* Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year *Total*	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,457,377 (84,032) 2,493,809 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319 1,533,011 (43,391) 2,597,375	Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 142,813 - 142,813 Restricted funds 2022 £ - - 126,511 - 126,511	Total funds 2023 £ 1,521 1,118,943 1,600,190 (84,032) 2,636,622 Total funds 2022 £ 3,436 1,104,319 1,659,522 (43,391) 2,723,886

Page 42

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

26. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net expenditure for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) *Adjustments for:* Depreciation charges Gains/(losses) on investments Dividends and interest from investments Decrease/(increase) in stocks Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors *Net cash used in operating activities*	2023 £ (87,264) 2,942 (14,624) (43,598) 60,572 6,666 40,641 (34,665)	2022 £ (53,097)
		2,600 81,974 (37,899) (62,453) (3,545) (98,790)

		(171,210)

27. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand *Total cash and cash equivalents* 28. Analysis of changes in net debt Cash at bank and in hand	At 1 October 2022 £ 813,985 813,985	2023 £ 821,891 821,891 Cash flows £ 7,906 7,906	As restated 2022 £ 813,985

			813,985
			At 30 September 2023 £ 821,891
			821,891

Page 43

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

29. Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £54,457 (2022: £48,244).

30. Operating lease commitments

At 30 September 2023 the charity had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years Later than 5 years	2023 £ 238,580 639,960 208,498 1,087,038	2022 £ 78,841 300,000 318,750

		697,591

31. Related party transactions

Trustee remuneration and benefits

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustee expenses

Trustee other related parties

There are no other related parties in the current or previous year.

Page 44

2024-03-12

Final Audit Report

binder_5

Created: 2024-02-07 By: Candice Church (candice.church@bhp.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAZwJ1gi31_RQiF_6AC_5NyWuIvxPDvI9y

"binder_5" History

Document created by Candice Church (candice.church@bhp.co.uk)

2024-02-07 - 11:25:57 AM GMT

Document emailed to trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk for signature

2024-02-07 - 11:26:03 AM GMT

Email viewed by trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk

2024-02-07 - 5:33:17 PM GMT

Signer trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk entered name at signing as Justin Tunstall 2024-02-07 - 5:35:33 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Justin Tunstall (trustee.chair@gsogb.org.uk)

Signature Date: 2024-02-07 - 5:35:35 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Document emailed to trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk for signature 2024-02-07 - 5:35:36 PM GMT
Email viewed by trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk

2024-02-07 - 5:43:43 PM GMT

Signer trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk entered name at signing as Clive Kilmartin 2024-02-07 - 5:47:59 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Clive Kilmartin (trustee.treasurer@gsogb.org.uk) Signature Date: 2024-02-07 - 5:48:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Document emailed to Laura Masheder (laura.masheder@bhp.co.uk) for signature 2024-02-07 - 5:48:03 PM GMT

Email viewed by Laura Masheder (laura.masheder@bhp.co.uk) 2024-02-07 - 6:51:08 PM GMT
Email viewed by Laura Masheder (laura.masheder@bhp.co.uk)
2024-03-12 - 3:49:56 PM GMT
Signer Laura Masheder (laura.masheder@bhp.co.uk) entered name at signing as BHP LLP 2024-03-12 - 3:51:30 PM GMT
Document e-signed by BHP LLP (laura.masheder@bhp.co.uk)

Signature Date: 2024-03-12 - 3:51:32 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Agreement completed.

2024-03-12 - 3:51:32 PM GMT

Annual Report

CONTENTS

The Preamble

Annual Report of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) Limited

Introduction

Chairperson’s Introduction to Annual Report

GSB Personnel

The following trustees retired from the Board this year:

The following trustees were appointed to the Board:

Report of the Trustees

Handbook Changes

Literature Revisions

New Items of Literature

Up and Coming Literature

Financial Statement for 2022-2023 Annual Report

Introduction

Investments

Literature

General Service Office Including Northern Service Office (NSO) and Southern Service Office (SSO)

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023 BALANCE SHEET

Statement of Financial Activities (Incorporating Income & Expenditure Account) for year ended 30 September 2023

Continuing Operations

All incoming resources and resources expended arise from continuing activities NOTES to the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEMBER 2023

Members of the General Service Board

Auditors

Bankers

Solicitors

Investment Managers

The Twelve Traditions

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CHAIR'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

b. Volunteers

c. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance

a. Main achievements of the charity

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

Handbook Changes

Literature Revisions

New Items of Literature

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

Up and Coming Literature

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

Conventions

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

THE GENERAL SERVICE BOARD OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Achievements and performance (continued)

b. Investment policy and performance

Financial review