DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
**Charity Registration No. 257912 (England and Wales) Charity Registration No. SC040066 (Scotland) Company Registration No. 00930265 (England and Wales)**
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED**
## **(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**Members Of Council**|Mark John D'Arcy|(Appointed 4 April 2022)|
|---|---|---|
||Francis Thomas Johnson||
||Carlo Poggi||
||Paul Anthony Gateshill||
||Jan Morovic||
|**Chairman**|Mark John D'Arcy||
|**Secretary / Tresasurer**|Rumold Van Geffen||
|**Charity number (England and Wales)**|257912||
|**Charity number (Scotland)**|SC040066||
|**Company number**|00930265||
|**Principal address**|Unit 1, Polaris Centre||
||41 Brownfields||
||Welwyn Garden City||
||Herts||
||AL7 1AN||
|**Registered office**|Unit 1, Polaris Centre||
||41 Brownfields||
||Welwyn Garden City||
||Herts||
||AL7 1AN||
|**Auditor**|George Arthur Limited||
||Suite 6b, Wentworth Lodge||
||Great North Road||
||Welwyn Garden City||
||Herts||
||AL8 7SR||
|**Bankers**|HSBC||
||46 The Broadway||
||London||
||W5 5JR||
||AIB Bank||
||6/7 Main Street||
||Rathfarnham||
||Dublin 14||
||Ireland||
|**Solicitors**|Wedlake Bell||
||71 Queen Victoria Street||
||London||
||EC4V 4AY||
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Directors' report|1 - 9|
|Statement of directors' responsibilities|10|
|Independent auditor's report|11 - 13|
|Statement of financial activities|14 - 15|
|Balance sheet|16 - 17|
|Statement of cash flows|18|
|Notes to the financial statements|19 - 33|
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
The Members of Council present their report and accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023. This report also represents the Trustees' Report which is required to be prepared by Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 and comply with the charity's Memorandum of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
Since the company qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director’s Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
The Members of Council have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Focolare Movement is an international organisation which began in Italy in 1943 and is now active in all five continents. The general headquarters are in Rome, from which the worldwide regions are coordinated (operating through PAMOM for the men's section; and PAFOM for the women's section). The movement is divided into a number of ‘regions’ linked with the centre.
Worldwide regional centres have been set up allowing for a more local integration of all the activities. The zone of Great Britain (together with Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Benelux, France, Spain, Portugal and Malta) has its regional centre in Brussels. For the moment this regional centre operates under the same name as all the activities of the Focolare have been operating in Belgium, i.e. the 'Foyers de l' Unite' (number d ' identification: 5959/68; number d'entreprise: 0409.626.941). The possibility of setting up a separate Not for Profit Organisation is still under review.
The accounts accompanying this report are the accounts of the company which deals with the income and assets of the men's section of the Focolare Movement in the ''zone" of Great Britain.
Mariapolis Limited is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 8 April 1968. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (257912) and the Scottish Charity Commission (SC040066).
The Members of Council, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Mark John D'Arcy Francis Thomas Johnson Carlo Poggi Paul Anthony Gateshill Jan Morovic
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as Members of the Council. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the number of the members of the Council shall not be less than three nor more than seven.
None of the Members of Council has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Members of Council are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
- 1 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
The Directors and Secretary (Members of the Council) are chosen from among those who have a lifelong commitment to the aims of the charity (Mariapolis Ltd) locally in the United Kingdom and/or to the aims of the Focolare Movement world-wide. All members of the council are, therefore, already familiar with the practical work of the charity having been involved in its work for a number of years. Additional training is provided by working alongside existing members of the council for a period of time long enough to assure a smooth transfer of the responsibilities involved.
The Directors of the company are responsible for the charity’s assets and activities. This Council meets at least three times per year, together with members responsible for the community houses and principal activities of the charity.
The key management of the day to day running of the charity (e.g. event planning, media and communication) sits with the ‘Core Group’ and the people responsible for different groups, such as local communities, youth leaders, Focolare volunteers, interest groups. The Trustees collaborate with the ‘Core Group’ and are also in regular communication with those responsible for the community houses, the Centre for Unity, and for key activities of the Movement. Discussions have been happening around reviewing the governance of the Movement in GB and worldwide (see Risk Management Section). As part of this, there are ongoing discussions about the composition, roll and function of the Core Group.
## **Connected charities**
Many activities are planned and organised together with Focolare Trust, registered charity no 279072 which handles the income and assets of the Women's Section of the Focolare Movement in the same geographical ‘zone’ of Great Britain. We are also closely linked with the Focolare Movement headquarters in Rome which operates as a recognized ecclesial body (115/1966) under the name PAMOM (Pia Associazione Maschile Opera di Maria), and the regional centre in Brussels which operates under the name of 'Foyers de l'Unite' (number d 'identification: 5959/68; number d'entreprise: 0409.626.941).
## **Risk management**
The members of the council have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## _**Safeguarding**_
Our Safeguarding Policy is published on our website (www.focolare.org/gb). It follows the guidelines issues by Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS), with whom we have an umbrella agreement.
The Focolare Community in Scotland is also committed to follow the RC Bishops’ Conference’s new Safeguarding in Manual ‘In God’s Image’ and actively participate to safeguarding training and events organised by Glasgow RC Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Office.
The Focolare GB Safeguarding team comprises four members:
- 2 Safeguarding Officers: Jane Evans and Nic Innocent and
- 2 additional members/administrators: Claudia Melis and Anja Primbs
In 2022-2023 safeguarding has been in the spotlight following the publication, in March 2022, of the GCPS Consulting’s Report of an Independent Inquiry into Historical Child Abuse within the Focolare Movement in France. This stimulated much discussion and reflection among members over how the Focolare Movement fulfils its duty of care towards those it meets, especially the young and vulnerable, and a greater awareness of areas acknowledged as needing improvement. This has been the focus of the Safeguarding team during this year. The GCPS report listed a number of recommendations for improving the culture and practice within the Focolare Movement internationally, some of which are already in place in Britain and others are currently being worked on.
- 2 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Safeguarding Initiatives 2022-23**
- Safeguarding team redoubled efforts to raise awareness of safeguarding amongst all members and particularly amongst youth workers.
- Enrolling the people for on-line safeguarding training.
- Fortnightly meetings between the Safeguarding Officers and the Chair of Trustees of The Focolare Trust and Mariapolis Ltd, Elizabeth Taite and Mark Darcy.
- Currently seeking an external expert to review what the team is doing and give advice on better practice.
- Set up ‘Listening Points’ to encourage a ‘safe space’ for members and previous members to share concerns around Focolare practice and encourage members to talk to external agencies if they so wish.
- Advising International the safeguarding team in Rome and the Focolare Centre in Brussels to discuss international policy and safeguarding structure.
## **Safeguarding Plans for 2023-2024**
- Renegotiate Focolare GB umbrella agreement with the CSSA (Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency) in England and Wales and update our DBS clearance process.
- Find/appoint a trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding.
- Monitor the use of risk assessment forms with a view to making them part of our normal custom and practice.
- Monitor and support training.
- Revising / updating our Safeguarding Policy so that it more accurately reflects current thinking,
- terminology and practice.
- Continue to work within Western Europe zone and with the Focolare international to develop a robust safeguarding structure internationally.
- Continue to develop a team of people to act as “Listening points”
## **Ageing communities**
During 2022-23, we continued to be aware of the age profile of many of the consecrated members living in our houses. We have continued to be engaged in discussions with Focolare members both in this country and in Western Europe as to how to ensure the wellbeing of members in the future.
The aspect of succession planning, which is linked to the ageing of our communities, is being looked at within the ongoing governance consultations with all interested members. A **“Back Together”** weekend for members was organised on 29[th] /30[th] October 2022 “ as an opportunity to discern together how we see the Focolare Movement today and how we can devise governance structures appropriate for the Focolare Movement today. 120 people engaged in ‘communitarian discernment’ to agree together the next steps. Following the weekend, a small working group convened to look more closely at how governance works within the Focolare Movement. They produced a “white paper” used for further discussion on governance within the Focolare Movement by small groups around GB.
## _**Privacy Policy**_
A Privacy Policy Document has been set up to comply with the UK Data Protection Act 1998 and other applicable European data protection legislation.. See: https://www.focolare.org/gb/privacy-2/
The members of the council regularly examine other operational risks faced by the charity and continue to improve established systems to mitigate any significant risks.
- 3 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Objectives and activities**
The Charity’s principal aims as stated in the Memorandum of Association are:
(i) the relief of poverty, sickness and old age;
(ii) the advancement of education;
(iii) the promotion of higher standards of moral life in the individual, the family and the community; and (iv) the advancement of religion.
To further these objectives the charity possesses properties and provides for the upkeep of vow-taking members of the Focolare Movement in Birmingham (Willenhall), London, Welwyn Garden City and Glasgow. It organizes courses and conferences under the name “Mariapolis”, and publishes books and magazines under the name of “New City”.
The Members of Council have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
## **Grant making policies**
The Charity's grant making policy and procedures depend on decisions made in consultation with both the members responsible for the Movement in Britain and with those responsible for each local community house. Priority is given to furthering our own projects. Financial support is sometimes given to close relatives of community members who are in need. This help is given sensitively and to correspond to individual needs. With regards to objectives for overseas donations, contributions are made in consultations with headquarters in Rome (PAMOM). One can see a great variety of activities supported by communities of the Focolare Movement supported by PAMOM by visiting the Focolare Website www.focolare.org and especially the pages on social commitment: http://www.focolare.org/en/all-opera/ impegno-sociale/
## **Grants made in this period of reporting 2022-2023:**
A total contribution of around £4,500 collected from donations by Focolare members has been sent to the international covid hardship fund in Rome for Ukraine.
A contribution of £2,200 was made to AMU for assistance to members in need in developing countries.
A contribution of £50,000 has been sent to our headquarters in Rome.
Also this year a £4,000 grant has been sent to Foyer de l’Unite as a contribution to Focolare headquarters for NW Europe for their expenses.
- 4 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Achievements and performance**
## **Review of activities**
The Focolare Movement in Great Britain has continued to engage this year in implementing aspects of the global strategy and directives for the Movement across the world for the next six years, which emerged from the General Assembly of the Movement in February 2021. In addition we have opened new forums for dialogue to review our governance structure and sustainability, in particular in assisting Focolare Trust regarding the sustainability of the Centre for Unity.
A further 2 permanent community members have arrived from other countries and have taken up residence in the London community house. In the community houses, 9 members covenanted all their income to the charity, and the other 3 members contributed voluntarily according to their personal circumstances. At regular intervals contributions are being sent to Rome for redistribution to poorer countries through the international Focolare Movement (PAMOM). A yearly contribution is made to the Focolare regional centre in Brussels of £4,000. Contributions continued to be received for AMU for ‘Fraternity with Africa’. An appeal was made for donations to help those affected by the war in Ukraine and a special fund was created. Donations have continued to be received towards this.
A suitable property was found and purchased in Willenhall (at a cost of £447,500) using the funds from the sale of the Liverpool property in 2021. In choosing the property, consultation was carried out with other community members, the wider focolare community and the regional Centre in Brussels. This property now functions as a community house for consecrated members and a meeting place for the wider focolare community.
Improvements to the structure of the other community houses continues. After completing the new roof of the London community house, the work was found to be defective such that re-roofing was required, costing £4,844.70.
## **Young people**
**Young Children** : Two groups of young children (4-8 and 4-12 years old) meet regularly in person in London and in Welwyn Garden City. One of their activities was a party for the Ukrainian families who have arrived in the area. A new group for 4-8 year olds has started in Liverpool this year for monthly meetings. These groups participated in the ‘Kids 4 Peace’ initiative, sending letters and drawings to world leaders asking them to take action to bring about peace where there is war.
**Youth Retreats:** In August 2022 at the Centre for Unity 13 young adults met for a new type of in-person retreat, for which they had been involved in the planning. They were especially happy with the freedom and space they were given to express themselves without fear of being judged. A similar weekend was then held in February 2023 with a wider age group, of 14-30 year olds.
**Down to Earth Conference:** In July 2022, 15 young adults also travelled to Malta for “Down 2 Earth (D2E)”, a project in partnership with Focolare Malta and France, funded by the EU Erasmus Programme. The goals of this project were to raise awareness about environmental and social ecology, and build intercultural bridges, to help become better global citizens.
**Listening to the Young People:** A few young people were present at a weekend that was organised in January 2023 for planning future youth activities. Their contributions were key to ensuring that ideas of new activities had greater relevance to young people today.
## **Focolare Communities and Families**
**Local and Online Communities:** This year the local communities have begun meeting face to face again, discovering that thanks to opportunities to meet online, there has been more engagement and growth in relationships.
A course on Spirituality, on Zoom, was attended by nearly 80 people from different countries and denominations. Its success has led to the desire that it restart in the autumn.
- 5 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Families**
**Hong Kong:** With the arrival of a number of people from Hong Kong, who have come to live in England, Focolare communities across GB are reaching out, supporting and getting to know them better.
**Zoom:** The series of Zooms ‘Time together as families’ continued in 2022 until September.
**New Group:** A new group of young families has also started to meet regularly in Bexleyheath in south east London with children of all ages coming together.
## **Ecumenism**
The Focolare Movement’s **annual meeting for ecumenical Church Leaders** took place in January 2023 at the Focolare conference centre in Welwyn Garden City. The keynote speaker was Rev. Prof. Nicholas Sagovsky whose rich ecumenical and theological background enabled him to give a fascinating presentation on the role of synodality in Scripture and in its later development in the Church. Other representatives followed by Zoom.
**Ecumenical Prayers** by Zoom have continued once a week during the last year. The 20-minute time of reflection & prayer attracts an average of fifty followers each week and is led by people from many different countries.
- **4 ecumenical Zoom study groups** have worked to raise awareness of the ecumenical nature of the Focolare spirituality worldwide. Some of the concrete initiatives they undertook:
- a substantial contribution to the programme of the annual retreat for Focolare members in Rome in December 2022.
- Some of the groups engaged with the organisers of the study courses delivered by the Universita Popolare Mariana, bringing ecumenical speakers to the programme for 2022-23, on Prayer.
## **Inter-religious Dialogue**
The Movement’s commitment to inter religious dialogue is taken forward predominantly by individuals who live and work in areas of the greatest diversity in the UK – such as London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds and Glasgow.
Some of the activities undertaken include:
- October 2022: facilitated the involvement of interfaith groups in the London Faithinvest
- conference,
- In Birmingham, in collaboration with St. Mary’s University, London, a member organised an evening on “Eternity” during which leaders of the six main faiths in Birmingham presented their beliefs about life after death and its impact upon the choices made by believers.
- In collaboration with Birmingham City Council and other faith groups, the planning of public interfaith events such as the Holocaust Memorial, the annual Peace Service on the anniversary of 9/11, the launch of Interfaith Week and on-going Faith & Reflection events.
- Welwyn Garden City: The Christian/Shi’a Muslim group continues to meet enabling the members to strengthen bonds of understanding and solidarity.
- 6 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
Birmingham Faith Leaders
## **Local Mariapolis 2022**
In 2022 five small Mariapolis were held in local areas. In Formby, Ripon, Stone, Chilton and in Motherwell.
## **Ecological Action**
**Dare to Care campaign ‘People, planet and our ecological conversion’** (www.unitedworldproject.org/ en/daretocare/)
Members of the Focolare Integral Ecology group hosted an online session (“Eco Link Up”) on 5th July 2022 to raise awareness around the “Eco-Plan”. Prepared by an team in partnership with FaithInvest and EcoOne, the Eco-Plan aims to inspire Focolare members and communities to re-examine their lifestyles in relation to the protection of people and the planet. It is available here: www.focolare.org/en/2022/06/22/ italiano-focolare-ecoplan-una-potente-intuizione/
Film Viewing “The Letter”: In Glasgow the Focolare community, together with our Muslim friends, organised a screening of the Laudato Si’ film “The letter” (www.theletterfilm.org/) to about 50 people.
## **New City**
New City magazine and the websites www.focolare.org.uk and www.newcity.co.uk are being continually improved and updated.
In the period March 2022 to February 2023, the following new titles were printed:
“Doodlings & Doggerel” by David A. Campton;
“The Incarnation of the Light” by Pasquale Foresi;
“Words of Life” by Chiara Lubich;
“Unity-A View from Paradise ‘49”
“Transcendence”
“Conferebce Calls”
“Prayers”
And the following titles were reprinted: “Making Peace” by Roberto Morozzo Della Rocca
“Meditation”
“Roots of Christian Mysticism”
In total 26 titles are in preparation by New City to be printed over the coming years.
- 7 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Working together with Focolare Trust for the Focolare Centre for Unity**
This has been a challenging year due to changes in personnel and also in finding the best way ahead. Following on from last year’s consultation of Focolare members on how best to progress, members of the Focolare Movement have come forward to offer their expertise. One member of Focolare now undertakes general maintenance tasks, eliminating the need to pay a local trader.
The Centre for Unity is self-supporting due to its location and popularity with a diverse mixture of groups. Local Authorities groups (such as Herts Police, County Council and NHS) keep it affordable for charity groups and assist in making outreach possible. The income from the Local Authorities groups allows the Centre to subsidise charities and Focolare groups. This also enables the Centre to develop a contingency fund for building maintenance and emergencies.
Other activities include: ESOL classes every Monday and Wednesday (excluding school holidays); and Christmas celebrations for Ukranian refugees; ecumenical groups; church groups; youth groups and the Welwyn Garden City interfaith group.
## **Financial review**
A summary of the year's results can be found on pages 14 - 16 of the attached accounts. For the year to 28 February 2023, the incoming resources of the charity amounted to £290,304 (2022 - £880,819), including £255,384 (2022 - £266,406) from voluntary income and £32,072 (2022 - £36,497) from incoming resources from charitable activities.
Total expenditure in the year was £359,422 (2022 - £453,193) including £64,886 (2022 - £186,656) for grants payments; £4,460 (2022 - £914) for provision of conferences; £69,930 (2022 - £73,308) for the publication of books and magazines; and £220,146 (2022 - £192,363) for support of members of the Movement.
After making appropriate enquiries, the members of the council have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Reserves policy and financial position**
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level of at least six month’s expenditure. The Members of Council consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The company's reserves decreased from £4,011,988 to £3,871,594. The net book value of fixed assets decreased from £2,031,836 to £1,996,541. The policy is to hold all assets in the form of residential property for direct use. Such assets are of fundamental importance to the charity; without the assets the charity would be unable to fulfil its charitable aims and objectives. The value of such assets, therefore, would not be easily realizable, if needed to meet future contingencies. To emphasize this point the net book value of these assets amounted to £1,624,501 has been set aside, by the directors, in a tangible fixed assets fund.
It was agreed that a total of £620,000 will be designated to purchasing a new property and has been temporarily invested in shares until an appropriate property becomes available.
Free reserves available to support the work of the members in the future are those shown on the balance sheet as unrestricted income funds and, at 28 February 2022, equate to £1,566,234. The directors are of the opinion that this level of free reserves is in line with the above policy.
In the opinion of the Members of Council, the current open market value of the charity's interests in land and buildings exceeds the book value by £3.6m.
## **Investments**
The market value of the investment portfolio has decreased from £1,472,454 to £1,001,179.
- 8 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING TRUSTEES' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **Future plans**
Following discussions with the Core Group and people responsible for the Focolare houses, the Trustees confirmed the following specific objectives for the coming year in keeping with our general aims: To continue supporting Focolare consecrated members in Great Britain, specifically with the purchase of a new community house in Willenhall, as well as our Focolare International Centres in Brussels and Rome.
- To continue working for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue locally and abroad. In particular, to host a GB Mariapolis in the summer 2024.
- To support people both in GB and abroad, who most suffered the effects of the Ukraine war.
- To invest in communications and in new creative ways to continue pursuing Focolare aims and activities.
- To work with members to find sustainable solutions to the governance of the Focolare movement and its activities.
- To explore ways of more effective accompaniment of Focolare communities, young people, families and individual members.
- To continue supporting AMU and projects for international solidarity with the Focolare worldwide, as well as supporting people in need in GB.
## **Acknowledgements The work of Employees and members of the Charity**
_The Trustees wish to record their gratitude to all their staff, volunteers, members and supporters of the Focolare Movement. Their total dedication, generosity and creativity has been invaluable. Thanks to them new ways are unfolding, of working and of spreading the message of unity – new paths which we look forward to walking together._
## **Auditor**
A resolution proposing that George Arthur Limited be reappointed as auditors of the company will be put to the members.
In preparing this report, the members of the council have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Disclosure of information to auditor**
Each of the Members of Council has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Members Of Council.
**Rumold Van Geffen** Secretary Dated: 28 November 2023
- 9 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
The Members of Council, who are also the directors of Mariapolis Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Directors' 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 Members of Council to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Members of Council are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Members of Council are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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.
The trustees confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware. They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information.
- 10 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OF MARIAPOLIS LIMITED**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Mariapolis Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 28 February 2023 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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).
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, and in accordance with section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 28 February 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, 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 (as amended).
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the _Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements_ section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:
- the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
- the Members of Council have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charity’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
## **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 for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
- 11 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OF MARIAPOLIS LIMITED**
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the directors' report; or
- sufficient and proper accounting records have not been kept; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of Members of Council**
As explained more fully in the statement of directors' responsibilities, the Members of Council, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 Members of Council 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 Members of Council are responsible for assessing the charity’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 Members of Council either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
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.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Members of Council are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and 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.
## We have nothing to report in this regard.
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
- 12 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **TO THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OF MARIAPOLIS LIMITED**
## **Jane A Rook (Senior Statutory Auditor)**
**For and on behalf of George Arthur Limited Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditor**
Suite 6b, Wentworth Lodge Great North Road Welwyn Garden City Herts AL8 7SR
Dated: 28 November 2023
George Arthur Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
- 13 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general Designated**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
**4**
248,604
-
6,570
Conference
**3**
210
-
-
New City and Publications
**5**
32,072
-
-
Investments
**7**
798
-
-
Other income
**6**
2,050
-
-
**Total income**
283,734
-
6,570
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Donations and grants payable
**8**
58,186
-
6,700
Provision of retreats and conferences
**8**
4,460
-
-
Support of members of the Movement
**8**
202,153
17,993
-
New City and Publications
**8**
69,930
-
-
**Total charitable expenditure**
334,729
17,993
6,700
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**14**
(16,393)
-
-
**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers**
(67,388)
(17,993)
(130)|**Total**
**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general Designated**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
255,174
244,105
-
23,501
210
(1,200)
-
-
32,072
36,497
-
-
798
864
-
-
2,050
-
577,052
-
290,304
280,266
577,052
23,501
64,886
173,855
-
12,800
4,460
914
-
-
220,146
182,236
10,127
-
69,930
73,308
-
-
359,422
430,313
10,127
12,800
(16,393)
-
-
-
(85,511)
(150,047)
566,925
10,701|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
267,606
(1,200)
36,497
864
577,052
880,819
186,655
914
192,363
73,308
453,240
-
427,579|
|---|---|---|
- 14 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general Designated**
**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers**
(67,388)
(17,993)
(130)
Gross transfers between funds
(2,735)
-
2,735
**Net (outgoing)/incoming resources**
(70,123)
(17,993)
2,605
**Other recognised gains and losses**
Revaluation of tangible fixed assets
**15**
(54,883)
-
-
**Net movement in funds**
(125,006)
(17,993)
2,605
Fund balances at 1 March 2022
1,733,961
2,262,494
15,533
**Fund balances at 28 February 2023**
1,608,955
2,244,501
18,138|**Total**
**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**general Designated**
**2023**
**2022**
**2022**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
(85,511)
(150,047)
566,925
10,701
-
38,384
15,674
(54,058)
(85,511)
(111,663)
582,599
(43,357)
(54,883)
(38,699)
-
-
(140,394)
(150,362)
582,599
(43,357)
4,011,988
1,884,323
1,679,895
58,890
3,871,594
1,733,961
2,262,494
15,533|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
427,579
-
427,579
(38,699)
388,880
3,623,108
4,011,988|
|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
- 15 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**16**
Investments
**17**
**Current assets**
Stocks
**18**
Debtors falling due after one year
**19**
Debtors falling due within one year
**19**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**20**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Income funds**
Restricted funds
**21**
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
**22**
General unrestricted funds
**25**
Revaluation reserve
**25**|**2023**
**£**
**£**
1,996,541
1,001,179
2,997,720
43,447
33,224
220,527
591,976
889,174
(15,300)
873,874
3,871,594
18,138
2,244,501
1,563,499
45,456
3,853,456
3,871,594|**2022**
**£**
**£**
2,031,836
1,472,454
3,504,290
45,158
243,082
40,329
191,313
519,882
(12,184)
507,698
4,011,988
15,533
2,262,494
1,633,622
100,339
3,996,455
4,011,988|**2022**
**£**
**£**
2,031,836
1,472,454
3,504,290
45,158
243,082
40,329
191,313
519,882
(12,184)
507,698
4,011,988
15,533
2,262,494
1,633,622
100,339
3,996,455
4,011,988|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,504,290
507,698|
||||4,011,988|
||||15,533
3,996,455|
||||4,011,988|
- 16 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)**
## _**AS AT 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 28 February 2023, although an audit has been carried out under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Members Of Council on 28 November 2023
Mark John D'Arcy
**Trustee**
## **Company Registration No. 00930265**
- 17 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**Notes**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash absorbed by operations
**28**
**Investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from disposal of tangible fixed
assets
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from disposal of investments
Investment income received
**Net cash generated from/(used in)**
**investing activities**
**Net cash used in financing activities**
**Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash**
**equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2023**
**£**
-
6,700
-
400,000
798|**2022**
**£**
**£**
**£**
(6,835)
(65,635)
(6,200)
604,863
(680,000)
864
407,498
(80,473)
-
-
400,663
(146,108)
191,313
337,421
591,976
191,313|
|---|---|---|
- 18 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **1 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Members of Council are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Estimated impairment of property and plant and equipment: The company tests annually whether the such assets have suffered any impairment, in accordance with the accounting policy stated in note 1.
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Mariapolis Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 1, Polaris Centre, 41 Brownfields, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1AN.
## **2.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum of Association, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
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 £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of fixed asset investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **2.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Members of Council have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Members of Council continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **2.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Members of Council in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
- 19 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **2.4 Incoming resources**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
## **2.5 Resources expended**
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure which is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources.
## **2.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Land No depreciation Freehold and long leasehold buildings 1.25% on cost Improvements to freehold properties 4% on cost Plant and equipment 15% on reducing balance Motor vehicles 25% on reducing balance
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Capital items under £250 are not capitalised in the accounts.
## **2.7 Fixed asset investments**
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
## **2.8 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
- 20 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **2.9 Stocks**
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
## **2.10 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## **2.11 Financial instruments**
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
- 21 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **2.12 Foreign exchange**
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
## **3 Conference**
|||**Charitable**|**Total**|**Charitable**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Income**|**2023**|**Income**|
|||**Heading 2**||**Heading 2**|
||**2023**|**2023**||**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Conference income|-|210|210|(1,200)|
## **4 Donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**2023**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
27,993
6,570
Legacies receivable
6,515
-
Covenants received
214,096
-
248,604
6,570
**Donations and gifts**
Donation received
27,993
6,570
27,993
6,570|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**general**
**2023**
2022
2022
**£**
£
£
34,563
13,199
23,501
6,515
-
-
214,096
230,906
-
255,174
244,105
23,501
34,563
13,199
23,501
34,563
13,199
23,501|**Total**
2022
£
36,700
-
230,906|
|---|---|---|
|||267,606|
|||36,700|
|||36,700|
- 22 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **5 New City and Publications**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**general**|**general**|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|New City and Publications|19,899|22,147|
|Subscriptions received|11,769|13,775|
|Royalties received|404|575|
|New City and Publications|32,072|36,497|
## **6 Other income**
||**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**|**UnrestrictedUnrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**general **|**Designated**|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Net gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets|2,050|577,052|
## **7 Investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**general**|**general**|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|Income from listed investments|798|864|
- 23 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **8 Charitable activities**
|**Donations and**
**grants payable**
**Provision of**
**retreats and**
**conferences**
**Support of**
**members of**
**the Movement**
**New City and**
**Publications**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Staff costs
-
-
-
12,187
Depreciation and
impairment
-
-
17,993
12,651
Activities undertaken
directly
-
4,460
191,639
19,193
Support costs
-
-
10,514
25,899
-
4,460
220,146
69,930
Grant funding of
activities (see note 9)
64,886
-
-
-
64,886
4,460
220,146
69,930
**Analysis by fund**
Unrestricted funds -
general
58,186
4,460
202,153
69,930
Unrestricted funds -
funds
-
-
17,993
-
Restricted funds
6,700
-
-
-
64,886
4,460
220,146
69,930
**For the year ended 28 February 2022**
Unrestricted funds -
general
173,855
914
182,236
73,308
Unrestricted funds -
funds
-
-
10,127
-
Restricted funds
12,800
-
-
-
186,655
914
192,363
73,308|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
12,187
30,644
215,292
36,413
294,536
64,886
359,422
334,729
17,993
6,700
359,422|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
-
45,364
187,955
33,266|
|---|---|---|
|||266,585
186,655|
|||453,240|
|||430,313
10,127
12,800|
|||453,240|
|||430,313
10,127
12,800|
|||453,240|
- 24 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **9 Grants payable**
|Grants to institutions:
Pia Associazione Maschile Opera di Maria (PAMOM)
Foyer de L'Unite
Ukraine Funds
International Covid Fund - Rome
Members in need in Developing Countries (AMU)
Focolare Community House Tanzania
Grants to individuals|**2023**
**£**
50,000
4,000
4,500
-
2,200
-
60,700
4,186
64,886|**2022**
**£**
110,000
-
-
9,600
2,000
61,417|
|---|---|---|
|||183,017
3,638|
|||186,655|
## **10 Members Of Council**
None of the Members of Council (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
The Members of the Council receive benefits attributable to the other members of the community.
## **11 Auditor's remuneration**
The analysis of auditor's remuneration is as follows:
|The analysis of auditor's remuneration is as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Fees for the company's annual accounts|3,903|3,356|
- 25 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **12 Employees**
## **Number of employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Administration|1|-|
|**Employment costs**|**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|12,187|-|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more (2022 - none).
## **13 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
## **14 Net gains/(losses) on investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**||
||**general**||
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|Gain/(loss) on sale of investments|(16,393)|-|
|**Revaluation of fixed assets**|||
||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted|
||**funds**|funds|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|**Net gains/(losses) on revaluation of investments**|||
|Revaluation of investments|(54,883)|(38,699)|
## **15 Revaluation of fixed assets**
- 26 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**16**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Land Improvements**
**to freehold**
**properties**
**£**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 March 2022
2,149,667
78,684
Disposals
-
-
At 28 February 2023
2,149,667
78,684
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 March 2022
188,370
48,423
Depreciation charged in the year
21,497
2,017
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
-
At 28 February 2023
209,867
50,440
**Carrying amount**
At 28 February 2023
1,939,800
28,244
At 28 February 2022
1,961,297
30,262
The carrying value of Land and Buildings comprises:
Freehold
Long leasehold|**Plant and**
**equipment**
**Motor vehicles**
**£**
**£**
49,642
46,227
-
(6,200)
49,642
40,027
31,872
23,720
2,666
4,464
-
(1,550)
34,538
26,634
15,104
13,393
17,770
22,507
**2023**
**£**
1,235,623
704,177
1,939,800|**Total**
**£**
2,324,220
(6,200)
2,318,020
292,385
30,644
(1,550)
321,479
1,996,541
2,031,836
**2022**
**£**
1,249,164
712,133
1,961,297|
|---|---|---|
The directors are of the opinion that the land and buildings which are stated at cost of £2,149,667 in the balance sheet have a market value in excess of £3.6m.
- 27 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **17 Fixed asset investments**
||**Listed**|
|---|---|
||**investments**|
||**£**|
|**Cost or valuation**||
|At 1 March 2022|1,472,454|
|Valuation changes|(54,883)|
|Disposals|(416,392)|
|At 28 February 2023|1,001,179|
|**Carrying amount**||
|At 28 February 2023|1,001,179|
|At 28 February 2022|1,472,454|
## **Fixed asset investments revalued**
Listed investments were revalued at market value at year end date. The historical cost of the listed investments as at 28 February 2023 was £969,854 (2022 - £1,386,247).
|**18**
**Stocks**
Finished goods and goods for resale
**19**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**Amounts falling due after more than one year:**
Other debtors
**Total debtors**|**2023**
**£**
43,447
**2023**
**£**
2,976
213,508
4,043
220,527
**2023**
**£**
33,224
253,751|**2022**
**£**
45,158|
|---|---|---|
|||**2022**
**£**
2,974
34,453
2,902|
|||40,329|
|||**2022**
**£**
243,082|
|||283,411|
- 28 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **19 Debtors**
## **(Continued)**
Included in debtors, there are two loans made to Focolare Spain totalling £245,743 of which £179,369 (200,000 Euro) has been converted to a grant payable to the Focolare in Spain in September 2023. £33,150 has been repaid in July 2023. The remaining balance will be repaid in 2023/24.
## **Prior Year Adjustment**
During the current reporting period, it was identified that there was an error in the ageing classification of a debtor balance recorded in the prior year's financial statements. The extent of the error is that in the prior year’s financial statements, debtors due within one year were understated by £33,150, and debtors due after one year were overstated by £33,150. As a result, a prior-year adjustment has been made to rectify this misstatement in the comparatives. This adjustment does not impact the current year's financial position or performance.
## **20 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|||
|---|---|---|
|Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
174
79
6,222
8,825
15,300|**2022**
**£**
-
259
3,338
8,587|
|||12,184|
- 29 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **21 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
|||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**|||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Balance at**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Balance at**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Balance at**|
||**1 March 2021**|**resources**|**expended**||**1 March 2022**|**resources**|**expended**||**28 February**|
||||||||||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Mr A G Baum (Deceased)|58,890|-|-|(58,890)|-|-|-|-|-|
|Families in Need|-|3,230|(1,200)|1,205|3,235|1,715|-|-|4,950|
|Religious Fund|-|11,142|-|-|11,142|1,000|-|-|12,142|
|AMU|-|2,400|(2,000)|-|400|450|-|-|850|
|Covid Corona Fund|-|6,139|(9,600)|3,627|166|30|-|-|196|
|Ukraine Relief Fund|-|590|-|-|590|3,375|(6,700)|2,735|-|
||58,890|23,501|(12,800)|(54,058)|15,533|6,570|(6,700)|2,735|18,138|
In 2016 Mariapolis Ltd was authorised by a British citizen, living in Germany and member of Focolare, Arthur George Baum, to sell his flat and to keep the revenue as a restricted fund until his death. After his death the balance would be left as a legacy to Mariapolis Ltd. At the date of his death, the remaining balance of £58,890 was transferred from restricted funds to unrestricted funds.
- 30 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **22 Designated funds**
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
|||**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**|**Movement in funds**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Balance at**|**Incoming**|
**Resources**||**Transfers**|**Balance at**|**Resources**|**Balance at**|
|**1 March 2021**||**resources**|**expended**|||**1 March 2022**|**expended**|**28 February**|
|||||||||**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Tangible|||||||||
|Fixed Assets|||||||||
|Fund|1,679,895|577,052|(10,127)||15,674|2,262,494|(17,993)|2,244,501|
||1,679,895|577,052|(10,127)||15,674|2,262,494|(17,993)|2,244,501|
|Tangible Fixed Assets Fund represents funds specifically relating to fixed assets directly||||||||used by the|
|charity.|||||||||
|**Analysis of net**|**assets between funds**||||||||
||||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**||**Restricted**|**Total**|Total|
||||**funds**|**unrestricted**||**funds**|||
||||||**funds**||**2023**|2022|
||||**£**||**£**|**£**|**£**|£|
|Fund balances at 28 February|||||||||
|2023 are represented by:|||||||||
|Tangible assets|||372,040|1,624,501||-|1,996,541|2,031,836|
|Investments|||381,179||620,000|-|1,001,179|1,472,454|
|Current assets/(liabilities)|||858,471||-|15,403|873,874|507,698|
||||1,611,690|2,244,501||15,403|3,871,594|4,011,988|
Tangible Fixed Assets Fund represents funds specifically relating to fixed assets directly used by the charity.
## **23 Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **24 Events after the reporting date**
On 14 April 2023, A suitable property was found and purchased in Willenhall (at a cost of £447,500) using the funds from the sale of the Liverpool property in 2021. In choosing the property, consultation was carried out with other community members, the wider focolare community and the regional Centre in Brussels. This property now functions as a community house for consecrated members and a meeting place for the wider focolare community.
In a significant development in September 2023, the Board of Trustees approved a formal request from the Spanish Focolare. The request was to convert a loan amounting to £179,369.30 (equivalent to 200,000 Euros) into a grant.
- 31 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
## **25 Unrestricted funds**
|**General**
**unrestricted**
**funds**
**Revaluation**
**reserve**
**£**
**£**
Balance bought forward
1,633,622
100,339
Net movement in funds
(70,123)
(54,883)
1,563,499
45,456|**Total**
**£**
1,733,961
(125,006)
1,608,955|
|---|---|
Revaluation reserve is the uinrealised profit on the revalution of the investment protfolio.
## **26 Related party transactions**
Mariapolis Ltd is the name of the charity under which the world-wide Focolare Movement operates in Great Britain together with Focolare Trust.
Activities world-wide are coordinated by its global centre in Rome, Italy, under the names of the NGOs PAMOM and PAFOM. The Focolare's regional centre in Western Europe is based in Brussels and operates as an NGO under the name of Foyer de l'unite. Regular contributions are sent to these NGO's to sustain their activities. During the year contributions in the form of grants were given as follows:
PAMON - £50,000 2022 - £110,000)
International Covid Fund in Rome for Ukraine - £4,500
AMU Members in Need - £2,200
Foyer de I'Unite - £4,000
A substantial loan has been given to the Focolare community in Spain to help them finish the construction of their centre in Madrid. It will be reimbursed in yearly instalments. The construction has been completed and to date almost 70% of the loan has been reimbursed. Also a bridging loan of Euro 200,000 has been given to the Focolare community in Spain which needs to be paid back within a span of 3 years. As at 28 February 2023 the balance outstanding was amounted to £245,743 (2022£276,232).
All Focolare / Mariapolis Ltd's activities in Great Britain are coordinated via the communities living in the three community houses where consecrated community members with religious vows dedicate their lives to the aims of the charity.
The upkeep of these community members is therefore a priority activity of the charity as without them none of the activities would be possible. The number of consecrated community members over this financial year varied between 14 and 18. During the year the upkeep costs amounted to £191,641 (2022 - £171,804 ).
## **27 Analysis of changes in net funds**
The charity had no debt during the year.
- 32 -
DocuSign Envelope ID: F23B82D4-1422-4CD8-BC50-940CF7E122B4
## **MARIAPOLIS LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2023**_
|**28**
**Cash generated from operations**
(Deficit)/surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Loss on disposal of investments
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in stocks
Decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
**Cash absorbed by operations**|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
(85,511)
427,579
(798)
(864)
(2,050)
(577,052)
16,393
-
30,644
45,364
1,711
(22)
29,660
40,050
3,116
(690)
(6,835)
(65,635)|
|---|---|
- 33 -