THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
Charity Registration No: 232270
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 MARCH 2024
Websters
12 Melcombe Place Marylebone London NW1 6JJ
THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| TRUSTEES: | Listed on page 1 |
|---|---|
| BANKERS: | Barclays Bank plc |
| St. Johns Wood & Swiss Cottage Branch | |
| P.O. Box 2764 | |
| London | |
| NW3 6JD | |
| REGISTERED ADDRESS: | P.O. Box 20586 |
| London | |
| NW8 0ZU | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: | Websters (Chartered Accountants) |
| 12 Melcombe Place | |
| Marylebone | |
| London | |
| NW1 6JJ | |
| CHARITY NUMBER: | 232270 |
THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY – TRUSTEES
President: Ms Jane Leaver
Hon. Chairman: Mr. Richard Schumacher
Hon. Vice Chairman: Ms. Virginia Newman Hon. Treasurer: Ms Laurence Lecacheur (appointed 30 October 2023) Hon. Secretary: Ms Jane Treharne Jones (appointed 30 October 2023) Committee Members: Ms Christine Cowdray Mr Matthew Cragoe (appointed 30 October 2023) Mr Sanji de Alwis Ms Christina Diamanti (appointed 30 October 2023) Mr James Hewitt Mr Melvyn Meade-Brunas (appointed 30 October 2023) Mr Daniel Poser Ms Linda Taggart Mr Tom Thomson
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THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
Registered Charity No 232270
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their Report and Financial Statements of the Society for the year ended 31 March 2024. Details of the Trustees who served during the year are shown on page 1.
ORGANISATION STRUCTURE
The Trustees (who comprise the Executive Committee of the Society) meet regularly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Society. They have a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the Society.
OBJECTIVES - ACTIVITIES
The main objects of the Society, as set out in its “Constitution”, are as follows:
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To encourage high standards of architecture and town planning in St John’s Wood.
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To stimulate public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of St John’s Wood.
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To encourage the preservation, development and improvement of features of general public amenity or historical interest in St John’s Wood and improve its social and cultural wellbeing.
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To oppose by any reasonable means available to the Society any development in any part of St John’s Wood, which in the view of the Society would detract from the beauty, history and character of that part or from its features of general public amenity or its historical interest.
The Society strives to foster a close working relationship with other local amenity groups.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Executive Committee reviews the level of income and expenditure and performance of the investments at regular meetings held during the year. As shown on page 5, the financial activities during the year resulted in a net surplus of income over expenditure of £3,968 (2023 £5,185).
The principal funding sources for the Society are by way of membership fees, advertising and investment income.
The trustees actively seek to increase the number of members in pursuit of the Society’s objectives.
The Executive Committee, which meets regularly, examines the Society’s requirements for reserves, on a regular basis and in the light of the main risks to the Society.
A cautious approach is adopted towards the investments by the Society and the Society aims to maintain at least two years’ recurring administrative costs in its reserves.
Any requests for grants are reviewed on an individual basis by the Committee.
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THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
Registered Charity No 232270
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare Financial Statements for each financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Foundation and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993;
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Foundation and hence take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:
The Charity has approved D.J.GODDARD ACA to be independent examiner.
Approved by the executive committee on 2 July 2024
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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
I report on the accounts of The St. John’s Wood Society for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner:
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 143 of the Charities Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act and,
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act, have not been met, or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
D.J.GODDARD ACA, 12 Melcombe Place, Marylebone, London, NW1 6JJ
Dated: 16 August 2024
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THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 31.3.24 | 31.3.23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| Funds | Funds | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | £ | £ |
| Receipts | ||
| Voluntary Receipts : | ||
| Subscriptions | 11,874 | 11,630 |
| Donations | 416 | - |
| Advertising | 9,400 | 8,200 |
| Events | 1,033 | 4,000 |
| Investment Income : | ||
| Charifund Units – distributions | 3,063 | 2,973 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Total Receipts | 25,786 | 26,803 |
| --------- | --------- | |
| Payments | ||
| General activities of the Society : | ||
| Newsletters, including despatch costs | 11,921 | 10,636 |
| Consultancy re St John’s Wood Churchyard | 3,000 | - |
| Other Expenditure : | ||
| Website costs | 784 | 348 |
| Events costs | 878 | 4,937 |
| Membership management costs | 2,188 | 2,184 |
| Management and Administration : | ||
| General office expenses | 967 | 1,591 |
| Accountancy fees | 690 | 690 |
| Insurance | 1,390 | 1,232 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Total Payments | 21,818 | 21,618 |
| --------- | --------- | |
| Excess of Receipts over Payments | 3,968 | 5,185 |
| Gain/(loss) on investment asset : unrealised | (965) | (3,438) |
| Assets retained for Charity Use at 1 April | 116,288 | 114,541 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Assets retained for Charity Use at 31 March | £119,291 | £116,288 |
| ════ | ════ |
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THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 31.3.24 | 31.3.23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| Funds | Funds | |
| £ | £ | |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
| Investments | 51,850 | 52,815 |
| Bank Accounts | 68,220 | 66,288 |
| Debtors | 8,104 | 5,501 |
| Accruals | (8,883) | (8,316) |
| ──── | ──── | |
| £119,291 | £116,288 | |
| ════ | ════ | |
| Assets retained for Charity Use | £119,291 | £116,288 |
| ════ | ════ |
Approved by the Executive Committee on 2 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Laurence Lecacheur
Hon. Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee
The attached notes form part of these financial statements.
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THE ST. JOHN’S WOOD SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 31 MARCH 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES :
(a) Basis of Accounting :
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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 2015)’ and Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of fixed asset investments at market value.
(b) Investment Income :
Investment income is included in the unrestricted funds when received and there are no restrictions on its use.
(c) Investments :
Investments are included in the balance sheet at market value. Realised and unrealised gains and losses are included in the unrestricted funds.
(d) Funds :
The unrestricted accumulated fund is available for use in accordance with the aims of the society.
2. INVESTMENT :
The investment, shown below, is held to enable the society to fund its activities as and when needed. It is quoted on the London Stock Exchange.
| needed. It is quoted on the London Stock Exchange. | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| The Equities Investment Fund for Charities (“Charifund”) - | ||
| 3,561 Income Units : | ||
| Market value at 1 April (3,561 units) | 52,815 | 56,253 |
| Add : Unrealised gain/(loss) for the year | (965) | (3,438) |
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|
| Market value at 31 March (3,561 units) | £51,850 | £52,815 |
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| Historical cost at 31 March | £27,024 | £27,024 |
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3. TAXATION :
As a charity, the Society is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within s505 of the Taxes Act 1988 and s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
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