Charity number: 227063
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Unaudited
Trustees' report and financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 - 15 |
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers for the year ended 31 December 2022
| Trustees | Dorothy Saul-Pooley |
|---|---|
| Christopher Hayward (Resigned 3 May 2022) | |
| Christopher Walton | |
| Alistair John Mitchelhill (appointed 20 April 2022) | |
| Ann-Marie Jefferys | |
| Stephen James Osborne (appointed 22 June 2022) | |
| Charity registered number 227063 Registered address Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity Rooms 78-79 65 London Wall London EC2M 5TU Accountants Kreston Reeves LLP Chartered Accountants 2nd Floor 168 Shoreditch High Street London E1 6RA Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ |
Page 1
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Trustees' report
for the year ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Objectives and activities
Policies and objectives
The Charity's objects are as laid down in the Charity's Constitution and Rules. The Trustees shall hold the Charity’s property and its income upon trust to apply them for the following objects:
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the relief of financial hardship of members and former members of the Guild and their Dependants; and
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the advancement of education and such other objects which are regarded as exclusively charitable under the law of England and Wales as the Trustees from time to time think fit for the benefit of individuals, groups, organisations and/or institutions with preference to those living (in the case of individuals) or operating (in the case of groups, organisations and institutions) in the Greater London area or with a connection to the Greater London area.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
The key objectives set out for the year were:
1) To support charitable organisations within the Greater London area through the award of grants to individuals and organisations, particularly those dealing with the impact of COVD-19.
2) To continue to raise funds to support our charitable objectives.
Grant-making policies
The Charity's policy is to make awards that give educational, welfare and social support to the needy in Greater London area or with a connection to the Greater London area.
Achievements and performance
Review of activities
The benefits of the Charity's work are the relief of financial hardship of members and former members of the Guild and their Dependants and the advancement of education and such other objects which are regarded as exclusively charitable under the law of England and Wales as the Trustees from time to time think fit for the benefit of individuals, groups, organisations and/or institutions with preference to those living (in the case of individuals) or operating (in the case of groups, organisations and institutions) in the Greater London area or with a connection to the Greater London area. The Trustees are pleased that the activities of the Charity as set out below demonstrate progress in relation to such objectives.
The Trustees continue to support charitable organisations within the Greater London area. In 2022 the Charity awarded 29 grants totalling £33,731 (2021: 31 grants totalling £57,075) to give educational, welfare and social support to the needy in in the Greater London area or with a connection to the Greater London area. Grants were specifically targeted at charities dealing with the impact of COVID-19. Considering the effects of the pandemic on the charity sector as a whole, the Trustees were pleased that our income from donations and investments were not as impacted as we feared.
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2022
Achievements and performance (continued)
Investment policy and performance
The investments held by the Charity have been managed in accordance with the powers available to the Trustees. The investment portfolio is managed by Rathbones Investment Management Limited.
The primary objective is to maintain the underlying value of the fund in real terms, with the secondary objective being to maintain income at the current level in real terms.
The manager should adopt a low risk profile and no restrictions have been placed upon specific geographical areas or sectors of the market.
Financial review
Going concern
The impact of the Covid-19 virus has been assessed by the Trustees, so far as reasonably possible. Due to its unprecedented impact on the wider economy, it is difficult to evaluate with any certainty the potential outcomes for the Charity. 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.
Reserves policy
Reserves are held of an amount deemed necessary by the Trustees to produce the income required to enable them to maintain the level of payments in furtherance of the Charity's objectives.
At 1 January 2022 the Charity had brought forward reserves of £1,282,093. The Charity generated a loss of £243,658 in the year, resulting in carried forward reserves of £1,038,435 at the year ended 31 December 2022.
In the opinion of the Trustees, the Charity's assets are available and adequate to fulfil the obligations of the Charity.
Structure, governance and management
Constitution
The Charity was formed as an unincorporated association and was set up by a Constitution and Rules on 13 November 1918 as amended on 27 June 2012. It was registered with the Charity Comission on 4 March 1964.
Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Constitution.
Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The Trustees who served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1. The Court of Assistants of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London "the Guild" has the power to appoint new Trustees and any Trustees can retire at any time they see fit. There shall be at least three and no more than five Trustees.
The Trustees meet bi-annually and decisions are made at these meetings.
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London Charity Trustees. report (continued) for the year ended 31 Decembor2022 statement of Trustees. responsibilitles applicabte L4w and UnÈted IQngJ ntirj Stslthtts (Uniled lQngthim Generalty Accepted Accounting practi). The knv applr¢able to tharibes in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial stments for each financial period which glve a true and fair view OF the state of affairs the Charity and of Èls ineoming resources and applicabon of resourtss. induding its and expeftdkn. for that pwtod. In preparing these financial ststements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting poIleS and then appty them conststenty, observe the methods and princ4[eS ofthe Charitses SORP {FRS 102): make judgments and aUnting estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether appltcable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 1021 have been folIcN, subj1 to any material departures disctosed and explained in the finanual statements; prepare the financ1 slatements on the goiry cIJnM bas¢s unless it is inapproprAte to pume that Ihe Charity will eontinue in tmjsine The Trustees are resp)nsible for keeping ad4uate accounting records that sufficiert to show and exptain the Charivs transactions and di>tse with reasonth accuracy al any twne the financial p%thn of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the finanoal statements compty with the Charitses Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the proVis)nS of the Constttutron. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Chariiy WKf hence for taking reasonable steps forthe prevents.on and detection of fr8Ltd and other irregulaiTties. 18 July 20023 Approved by order of the members ofthe b)ard ofTrustees on and swed on ther behalf ty. Ann4larie Jefferys Tfustee
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Independent examiner's report
for the year ended 31 December 2022
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 21 July 2023
Stephen Tanner BSC(Econ) FCA
Kreston Reeves LLP Chartered Accountants London
Page 5
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2022
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 5 Charitable activities Total expenditure Net expenditure before net (losses)/gains on investments Net (losses)/gains on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 7,354 22,994 30,348 5,680 34,153 39,833 (9,485) (234,173) (243,658) 1,282,093 (243,658) 1,038,435 |
Total funds 2022 £ 7,354 22,994 30,348 5,680 34,153 39,833 (9,485) (234,173) (243,658) 1,282,093 (243,658) 1,038,435 |
Total funds 2021 £ 32,976 21,172 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54,148 6,390 57,075 |
|||
| 63,465 (9,317) 119,068 |
|||
| 109,751 1,172,342 109,751 |
|||
| 1,282,093 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
Page 6
Bal•nGe shoot 2021 Investrnents 1259.180 1.259.180 2.822 24.854 Ca¥h at bank arKI in hand 19,657 19.667 27.676 10 (4,763) 16.1n 22,913 Total net awts 1.038A3S 1.282.093 Charlty funds 11 1.038.435 1.282.093 Total fvnd8 1.038.43S 1.282.093 Ann41ah¢ J•ffery8 Trustee 18 July 2023
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
1. General information
The charity is unincorporated. Its principal activity is to grant donations to ease the financial hardship of members and former members and the advancement of education. The members of the charity are the Trustees named on page 1.
The address of its registered office is Rooms 78-79, 65 London Wall, London, EC2M 5TU.
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 Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity 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.
2.2 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.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Charity, can be reliably measured.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.3 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.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the period when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the period end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.4 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.
2.5 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.
Investments held as fixed assets are shown at cost less provision for impairment.
2.6 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.
2.7 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.
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.8 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.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.9 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.
2.10 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.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Donations Legacies |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 7,354 Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 20,503 12,473 32,976 |
Total funds 2022 £ 7,354 |
|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2021 £ 20,503 12,473 |
||
| 32,976 |
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
4. Investment income
| Income from local listed investments Interest receivable Income from local listed investments Interest receivable Investment management costs Investment management fees Investment management fees |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 22,865 129 22,994 Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 21,170 2 21,172 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 5,680 Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 6,390 |
Total funds 2022 £ 22,865 129 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,994 | ||
| Total funds 2021 £ 21,170 2 |
||
| 21,172 | ||
| Total funds 2022 £ 5,680 |
||
| Total funds 2021 £ 6,390 |
5. Investment management costs
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
6. Analysis of grants
| Grants to Institutions 2022 £ Grants, Educational & Social Welfare 33,731 Grants to Institutions 2021 £ Grants, Educational & Social Welfare 57,075 The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year: 2022 £ Name of institution Christ's Hospital 11,950 City of London Freemen's School 4,750 The Woolmens Charitable Trust - King Edward's School Witley 3,150 Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2,125 Reeds School 500 Guildhall School of Music & Drama 1,000 Little Sisters of the Poor 1,000 British Red Cross - The Sheriffs' and Recorder's Fund 1,000 Whitechapel Mission 1,000 London Air Ambulance - City of London School for Boys - City of London School for Girls - Ansar Youth - British Legion Poppy Appeal - Havering Women's Aid - Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust - Toynbee Hall - 26,475 Other grants to institutions 7,256 33,731 |
Total funds 2022 £ 33,731 |
|---|---|
| Total funds 2021 £ 57,075 |
|
| 2021 £ 4,750 3,150 3,000 1,000 500 - - 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 650 650 26,950 1,000 1,500 1,000 4,550 |
|
| 52,700 4,375 |
|
| 57,075 |
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2021 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 December 2022, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2021 - £NIL).
8. Fixed asset investments
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2022 Additions Disposals Revaluations Cash movement At 31 December 2022 Net book value At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 9. Debtors Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income 10. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
Listed investments £ 1,232,285 83,592 (77,288) (232,630) - 1,005,959 1,005,959 1,232,285 |
Capital cash £ 26,895 - - - (10,591) 16,304 16,304 26,895 2022 £ - - 2022 £ 2,085 1,400 3,485 |
Total £ 1,259,180 83,592 (77,288) (232,630) (10,591) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,022,263 1,022,263 |
|||
| 1,259,180 2021 £ 2,822 |
|||
| 2,822 2021 £ 2,150 2,613 |
|||
| 4,763 |
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
11. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Balance at | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 | 31 | ||||
| January | Gains/ | December | |||
| 2022 | Income | Expenditure | (Losses) | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General funds | 1,282,093 | 30,348 | (39,833) | (234,173) | 1,038,435 |
| Statement of funds - prior year | |||||
| Balance at | |||||
| Balance at | 31 | ||||
| 1 January | Gains/ | December | |||
| 2021 | Income | Expenditure | (Losses) | 2021 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General funds | 1,172,342 | 54,148 | (63,465) | 119,068 | 1,282,093 |
12. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 1,022,263 19,657 (3,485) 1,038,435 |
Total funds 2022 £ 1,022,263 19,657 (3,485) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,038,435 |
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Guild of Freemen of the City of London's Charity
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
12. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2021 £ 1,259,180 27,676 (4,763) 1,282,093 |
Total funds 2021 £ 1,259,180 27,676 (4,763) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,282,093 |
13. Related party transactions
The Guild of Freemen of the City of London provides administrative support to the Charity at no cost to the Charity.
During the year, Trustees made donations to the Charity totalling £300 (2021: £300).
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