## **Company number: 1056004 Charity number: 264221**
## **LISTENING BOOKS**
**(A company limited by guarantee) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **LISTENING BOOKS**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Report of the Council of Management|1 - 6|
|Independent Auditors’ Report|7 - 9|
|Statement of Financial Activities|10|
|Balance Sheet|11|
|Cash Flow Statement|12|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|13 - 21|
## **LISTENING BOOKS REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
The Council of Management, the members of which are directors of the company, are pleased to present their Annual Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Annual Report contains the Director’s report as required by company law.
The financial statements comply with the Memorandum of Association, the Companies Act 2006, The Charities Act 2011, the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102).
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
## _Directors and Council of Management_
The members of the Council of Management, who are also the directors of the company and who served during the year are as follows:
G M Howarth _Chairman_ A Williams _Treasurer (resigned 9 September 2024)_ C T Sinclair-Stevenson _(resigned 9 September 2024)_ J Eccleshare D O’Neill N Forster
The company has no share capital and is limited by guarantee (company number: 1056004 and charity number: 264221).
## _Registered Office_
The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR
_Charity number_ 264221
_Company Secretary_ Bill Dee
_Auditors_
Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet, 5 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2SW
## _Bankers_
Lloyds Bank plc, 69/73 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NQ
## _Solicitors_
Pothecary Witham Weld Solicitors, 70 St George’s Square, London SW1V 3RD
## _Investment Managers_
CCLA Investment Management Ltd, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria St, London EC4V 4ET
_Key Management Personnel_ The Trustees Bill Dee Robert Marchant Amy Flinders Louise Barling Claire Bell
1
## **LISTENING BOOKS REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## _Constitution and Structure_
Established in 1959 (as the National Listening Library Limited), Listening Books is a registered charity incorporated on 26 May 1972. The governing instrument is our Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 22 June 1998.
The Council of Management, whose six members represent organisations and individuals having an interest in people with special needs, are not remunerated for the duties they undertake.
The day-to-day management of the company is delegated by the Council to the Director, who reports to the Council of Management, which approves major decisions and has overall responsibility for the company’s activities. The pay of senior staff is reviewed annually and normally increases in accordance with average earnings bearing in mind charities of similar size and activity.
## _Election of Council Members_
A person or persons may be invited to join the Council of Management of the company where they are:
- At least 18 years of age;
- Otherwise not disqualified from being so appointed under Sections 72 and 73 of the Charities Act 2011; and
- Felt able to bring relevant experience and influence to the company.
Board reviews its own performance in changing circumstances and considers whether additional trustees with new skills are required. Trustees are usually appointed by either placing adverts in the charity press or by consideration of whether there is someone suitable known to the company. Potential new trustees have an initial meeting with the Chair, are then introduced to the Board, and only then if elected join the Board. Subsequently they have meetings as necessary with the Chair and receive an induction pack. Further training could be offered if considered beneficial.
## _Risk management_
The charity has undertaken a risk appraisal as required by the Charity Commission. Based on this risk review, the Trustees’ and executive team consider the most relevant risks, and the means by which they may be mitigated, to be as follows:
- Safety and security of staff, volunteers and members (mitigation includes an annual risk assessment dedicated to health and fire safety, which is conducted through consultation with staff, providing first aid and fire safety training to key members of staff, and a child and vulnerable adult protection policy).
- Data security breaches (mitigation includes measures to restrict access to sensitive information and the successful implementation of a new IT system, which has improved the handling of sensitive data).
- Deterioration of relationships with publishers (mitigation includes a copyright policy outlining the management of copyrighted material and ensuring that staff, volunteers and members are aware of their duty to respect the conditions of our agreements with publishers).
- Service delivery failure (mitigation includes the training of staff, thorough backing up of data, comprehensive IT support and the implementation of a new, bespoke IT system).
2
## **LISTENING BOOKS REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
- Reduction of trust funding (mitigation includes high quality service delivery, budgeting for possibility of reduced funding in any given year, establishment of appropriate financial reserves level, and income diversification through alternative sources of income where available).
## **Objectives and Activities**
_The Charity’s objects are:_
To relieve disability or incapacity, whether permanent or temporary, arising from any sickness, injury or other physical or mental condition, in particular, by the provision of an audio book library service including recorded literature and other material, together with equipment for the reproduction of such literature or other material, including the advancement of education of persons suffering from such conditions.
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
## **Achievements and Performance**
This annual review records many positive developments but one particularly marks a new departure: after being based at Lant Street for nearly half a century, we’ve moved our office to the Foundry, near the Oval. We hope that the staff will benefit specially from working in this modern, streamlined office, alongside other charities and with new amenities such an in-house cafe and break out rooms for bigger meetings. It coincides with some remarkable growth within the charity.
One aspect which gives me particular pleasure to report is the 30% growth in individual membership. I see this as recognition of the thoughtful, very personal service we provide to each of our members, advising on book choices or helping some navigate the more technical aspects of listening through an app or website.
So, once again, I am using this opportunity to thank the staff for their expertise and dedication. On the theme of gratitude, I extend thanks to our funders who, in this period of rapidly rising costs, are more than ever so important to us.
It is a matter of singular pride that, despite the added work involved in moving, we have been able to add a further 37 hospitals served this year, bringing our tally to 96. We are also supplying a wider than ever range of training to meet different demands within hospital settings.
Feedback is always valuable to us and it has been satisfying too, to have begun providing wireless headphones for use with our tablets, and to have updated our older machines so members can take advantage of recent developments in technology. Our staff have travelled to many hospitals in person to ensure our service is fully understood and to exchange ideas. One outcome has been the enabling of the service to operate effectively without the necessity of hospital Wi-Fi. We now provide the hospital with a MiFi unit, a much-appreciated development in areas where Wi-Fi is erratic, or even non-existent. Feedback has also proved invaluable in schools where teachers provide valuable insights into the tastes and requirements of SEND pupils.
3
## **LISTENING BOOKS REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
We of course depend immensely on the generosity of publishers, in allowing us to have copies of their books for our members. We simply could not operate without them, and we hope they will continue to recognise the contribution they make to the various lives of our members, young and old, all in their different ways dependent on the stimulus and solace that books uniquely provide.
As I write this, the world seems in so many ways more fragile than ever. So, every small way we can connect with what is positive and human, with the experiences of others as they describe their lives, with wisdom or humour, must be cherished. I am proud of Listening Books for the modest part it plays in this important mission.
## _Summary of key achievements_
- In 2023/24 our annual audiobook loans reached an all-time high of 144,000, an increase of 23% on 2022/23.
- The number of magazine and newspaper articles opened on our PressReader platform grew by 21% to 290,500.
- The number of individual members we serve directly grew by 28% to 7,678.
- We delivered our online services to an additional 37 children’s hospitals and wards, taking the overall total to 93.
- We also delivered our online services to an additional 8 hospices, taking the overall total to 94.
- Our total annual reach is now more than 100,000, including more than 400 organisational members.
- Our online catalogue grew by 694 titles, including 14 recorded inhouse to a professional standard, reaching a total of 8,313.
- We delivered 13 author interviews which had over 90,670 views and listens.
## **Financial Review**
## _Reserves policy_
Unrestricted funds comprise the accumulated funds which are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the objectives of the company. Further, it is the intention of the directors that such funds be maintained at a level which, if required, would fund the core costs of the organisation for a period of one year. This requires currently a balance of unrestricted funds of approximately £625,000. This duration takes account of the nature of the funding of the company, where the majority of income is from Charitable Trusts being of a cyclical nature affected by the general economic climate, and legacies which are unpredictable in nature. And this reserves figure takes into account that some unrestricted fund reserves would not be available in cash within the year timescale.
## _Financial position_
The net deficit of unrestricted funds during the year ended 31 March 2024 amounted to £134,834 (2023: £224,136). This has resulted in total unrestricted funds available for use at the discretion of the Council of Management of £304,962 (2023:£439,796).
Net income on restricted funds amounted to £57,139 (2023: £50,025). This has resulted in total restricted funds at 31 March 2024 of £213,829 (2023: £156,690).
4
## **LISTENING BOOKS REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## _Investment powers_
The Trustees accept responsibility for the effective and efficient management of the company’s investments. Management of the company’s investment portfolio is by COIF Charity Funds. The investment objective is to achieve a balance between income and capital growth through investment in cash, bonds and equities. Exposure to equity markets will normally be gained through investment in authorised unit trusts and investment trusts.
## _Fundraising Policy_
The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Requests for funds are largely through grant applications to sympathetic charitable trusts and the purposes are clearly described. During the year no professional fundraisers were employed and appeals were generally made by email or letter. A complaints procedure is set out as part of the Privacy Policy on the website. No complaints or criticisms were raised concerning the fundraising activities during the period.
## _Investment policy_
The current investment policy of the charity is to aim to hold bank balances of a minimum of £80,000 mainly for working capital, and the Trustees have an ethical investment policy:
Listening Books investments are managed in an Ethical Fund which invests responsibly according to ESG standards, by excluding companies scoring less than 2 on any FTSE ESG theme. This goes towards ensuring that our investments are compatible with our mission as a charity. One particular ESG issue, Climate Change, is increasingly threatening to pose an existential risk to society itself, not just to the financial system, so it is imperative that investors look beyond financial risk and return and consider the real world impact of their investments. To this end Listening Books is invested in the CCLA Ethical Fund which excludes investment in certain companies including those which derive more than 5% of revenues from the extraction of Oil Sands or Thermal (Energy) coal and also companies which derive more than 10% of revenues from the extraction, production and refining of Oil and Gas. Also excluded are companies whose principal business is the generation of electricity that have not demonstrated the ability to align their business with the Paris Climate Change Agreement (as determined by the Investment Manager), and also extractives or utilities sector companies where productive engagement is not believed to be possible (at the discretion of the Investment Manager). It is clear for example that Oil Sands and Coal extraction have no place in a world of net zero emissions, which we need to reach as soon as possible, and at the latest by 2050. There is also an urgent need for all fossil fuels to be phased out by this date. The full list of investment restrictions on the CCLA Ethical Fund are set out in note 16 to these accounts.
## **Disclosure of information to auditors**
So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware and they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.
5
LISTENING BOOKS
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF mANAGEmEr
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Statement of Councll Members, Responslbllitbes
The Council members are responsibk? for preparing the Annual Rèp)rt and the financial
slatemenls in accordance with applicabk law and regulalw5.
Company law requires Ihe Council members. who are Ihe direcloT5 for the purposes of
company law, to prepare financial statements for each financial y8ar. Under that law th
Coun1 members have elected to prepare Ihe financial statements In accordarbce with United
Kingdom Gén8rally Apted AcUntsng Practice Iunrted Kingdom AccountiT)g Slaridards
and applicable lawl. UrKler (x)mpany law the Council members musl not approve the financial
slatemenls unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view ot the stale ol affairs of
the cornpany and of its incoming r8sources and applicat of SOUrCes, including the net
Income or expenditure. of the company for that perh)(J.
In preparing these financial statements, the Council member5 are required lo:
select suitable accounting policle5 and then apply them consislenlty..
mak& judgm8nls and ac{tIng 8slimates that aro raasonable and prudent:
stsle whether applicable UK A¢¢ounling Standards hav• been followed. subject lo
any rnalerial departures discbse(18nd explained in the financi81 statements-
prepare th8 financial stslements a gomg ¢oncem basis unl8SS it is inappropriate lo
a¥sume that the company will be able kn continue In Operatn.
The Council members are f8sFSib for keeping adequate accounting records Ih8t are
sufficient lo show and explain the eompany's transactions and disclose with reasonable
curaGy at any lime fi'nancial posilion ol the wnpany and enable them to onsure that the
financial statements comply with Compan$ Aci 2006. They ar8 also responsible for
safeguarding the 8$$el$ of the cornpany and hence lor taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and delection of fraud and other irrelali&s.
Audltorn
A re8olub.on will be proposed al Annual Genwal Meeting to appoint auditors to the
mpany for the ensuing year.
Approved by the Covn¢il of Manegement and signed on its behalf ty..
G Howarth
Chairman
Date..
23d 2024
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LISTENING BOOKS**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Listening Books (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 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).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 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.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the trustees’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves.
7
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LISTENING BOOKS**
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
- the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the directors’ report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included with the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- • the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees’(who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the 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 trustees either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
8
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LISTENING BOOKS**
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Based on our understanding of the charity, we identified that the principal risks of noncompliance with laws and regulations related to employment and financial reporting legislation and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by making enquiries of management, considering the internal controls in place and discussion amongst the engagement team.
We determined that the principal risks were related to management bias in accounting estimates, presentation of separately disclosed items and management override of controls.
In response to the risks identified we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to reviewing trustees’ minutes, challenging significant accounting estimates, evaluating the internal controls, agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation and identifying and testing journal entries.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and regulations made under that Act. 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 auditors' 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 its members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
**Paul Newton FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants**
5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM1 2SW
> Date: 4 October 2024
9
## **LISTENING BOOKS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Notes**
**_Income from:_**
1e-h
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
**Total income**
2
**_Expenditure on:_**
1j-k
Raising funds
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
3
Net gains/(losses) on investments
6
**Net income/(expenditure)**
Transfers between funds
**Net movement in funds**
Funds brought forward at 1 April 2023
**Funds carried forward at 31 March 2024**|
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**223,400**
**74,631**
**13,374**
**311,405**
**40,829**
**438,046**
**478,875**
**34,136**
**(133,334)**
**(1,500)**
**(134,834)**
**439,796**
**304,962**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£ **
**723,001**
**-**
**-**
**723,001**
**-**
**667,362**
**667,362**
**-**
**55,639**
**1,500**
**57,139**
**156,690**
**213,829**|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
**946,401**
**74,631**
**13,374**
**1,034,406**
**40,829**
**1,105,408**
**1,146,237**
**34,136**
**(77,695)**
**-**
**(77,695)**
**596,486**
**518,791**|Unrestricted
Funds
£
266,506
61,967
16,522
344,995
41,829
513,166
554,995
(13,991)
(223,991)
(145)
(224,136)
663,932
439,796|Restricted
Funds
£
532,325
-
-
532,325
-
482,445
482,445
-
49,880
145
50,025
106,665
156,690|2023
Total
£
798,831
61,967
16,522|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||877,320|
|||||||41,829
995,611|
|||||||1,037,440|
|||||||(13,991)
(174,111)
-|
|||||||(174,111)
770,597|
|||||||596,486|
All of the activities are continuing. There were no recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these financial statements.
10
LISTENING BOOKS
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
Note¥
2024
2023
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed ass8ts
Inv8slm6nts
34,391
267.971
S1,244
303,835
302,362
355,07g
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
117.744
140.458
94.597
180,070
258.202
274,667
Credbtors: amounls falling duè within
one yéar
41,773
33,260
NET CURRENT ASSETS
216.429
241.407
NET ASss
518.791
596,486
FUNDS
11
Unrestricted
Reslriclod
304,962
213,829
439,796
1S6,690
10
NET ASSETS
518 791
596,486
Approved by the Council ol Management and signed on lis t*half by..
G Howarth
Chairman
Dale-
23 W 2oL*
Company Reglstratlon No: 01056004
The notes on pages 13 to 21 form part of these finarKial slatements.
li
## **LISTENING BOOKS STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
|**Cash (used in)/provided by**
**operating activities**(see below)
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Payments to acquire tangible fixed
assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
**Cash provided by/(used in)**
**investing activities**
**Net cash (outflow)/inflow**
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
2023
**Cash and cash equivalents at 31**
**March 2024**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Net (expenditure)**
Depreciation
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
**Cash (used in)/provided by**
**operating activities**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
**(102,921)**
**( 6,691)**
**70,000**
**63,309**
**(39,612)**
**180,070**
**140,458**
**(111,831)**
**23,544**
**( 23,147)**
**8,513**
**(102,921)**|**2023**
**£**
**£**
(70,592)
( 998)
70,000
69,002
(1,590)
181,660
180,070
(160,120)
38,388
54,515
( 3,375)
(70,592)|**2023**
**£**
**£**
(70,592)
( 998)
70,000
69,002
(1,590)
181,660
180,070
(160,120)
38,388
54,515
( 3,375)
(70,592)|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||||(1,590)
181,660|
||||180,070|
||||(160,120)
38,388
54,515
( 3,375)|
||||(70,592)|
12
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **a. Basis of Accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared under the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102). The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost basis of accounting as modified by the revaluation of investments to market value and prepared in sterling, which is the financial currency of the charity, rounded to the nearest £1.
Listening Books is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 12 Lant Street, London, SE1 1QH. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **b. Tangible Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life. Equipment is depreciated over 5 years on cost.
## **c.**
## **Investments**
Investments are stated at market value based on the bid price at the Balance Sheet date and the surplus or deficit of this revaluation is shown as unrealised gains or losses on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities after the Income and Expenditure Statement has been concluded.
Realised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the proceeds of sale at the date of disposal and market value at the previous Balance Sheet date or cost of acquisition if purchased during the year. These are shown as realised gains or losses on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities and are also included in the Income and Expenditure Statement contained therein.
## **d. Operating Leases**
Annual rentals under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
## **e.**
## **Income**
Grants restricted to use in future accounting periods are deferred and recognised in those accounting periods.
Legacies are accounted for as soon as the charity is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the charity is reasonably certain. Amounts receivable after more than one year from the balance sheet date are measured at their present value and an interest element is accounted for each year.
Charitable activities consist of membership subscriptions and trading activities of sales of accessories and other income.
13
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)**
- **f. Investment Income**
- Investment income is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes the associated tax credits.
## **g. Gifts in Kind (Publishers)**
The company receives discounts from content publishers in the year beyond that normally obtained on a commercial basis. These amounts are included in incoming resources and in resources expended and amounted to £239,163 (2023: £128,139).
## **h. Gifts in Kind (Advertisers)**
The company receives discounts from advertisers in the year beyond that normally obtained on a commercial basis. These amounts are included in incoming resources and in resources expended and amounted to £27,856 (2023: £30,718).
## **i. Gifts in Kind (Legal)**
The company receives discounts from legal advisors in the year beyond that normally obtained on a commercial basis. These amounts are included in incoming resources and in resources expended and amounted to £76,005 (2023: £61,132).
**j. Restricted Funds** Restricted funds are those subject to specific restrictive conditions imposed by sponsors or other donors or by the purpose of the appeal.
## **k. Pension Costs**
The company operates a defined contribution scheme in respect of all employees. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they are incurred.
## **l. Expenditure**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes irrecoverable VAT relating to such expenses. Expenditure incurred in connection with the specific activities as shown on the Statement of Financial Activities represents the direct costs of that activity together with an apportionment of the general overheads of the company as support costs. Where costs cannot be directly attributed, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Governance costs are incurred in the course of the company complying with its legal and regulatory obligations.
## **m. Cash and bank**
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 opening of the deposit.
## **n. Debtors**
Staff loans and other debtors are included at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
## **o. Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount.
14
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)**
## **p. Basic financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and 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.
## **2 INCOME**
|**Donations and legacies**
General donations
Grants
Gifts in kind
Legacies
**Charitable activities**
Membership subscriptions
**Other trading activities**
Rent
Other|**2024**
**£**
**4,640**
**589,963**
**343,024**
**8,774**
**73,887**
**-**
**14,118**
**1,034,406**|2023
£
15,181
543,131
219,989
20,530
61,967
-
16,522|
|---|---|---|
|||877,320|
|**3**
**EXPENDITURE**
Cost of raising funds
Membership services
Support costs
Governance costs
**Total expenditure**|Staff
Costs
£
10,074
454,810
15,111
-
479,995|Depreciation
£
2,943
19,129
1,472
-
23,544|Other
Costs
£
27,812
587,836
20,770
6,280
642,698|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**40,829**
**1,061,775**
**37,353**
**6,280**
**1,146,237 **|Total
2023
£
41,829
952,072
37,779
5,760|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||1,037,440|
Support costs all related to the provision of membership services, and governance costs include auditors’ remuneration of £6,280 (2023: £5,760) which includes VAT and relates to the fee for the audit only. No other remuneration was payable to the auditors during the year.
15
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **4 STAFF COSTS**
|**TAFF COSTS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other employment costs
**Total staff costs**
The average number of persons employed by functional activity was:
Cost of raising funds
Charitable expenditure|**2024**
**£**
**424,612**
**29,621**
**25,762**
**479,995**
**-**
**479,995**
**2024**
**No**
**1**
**12**
**13**|2023
£
387,784
28,361
48,371|
|||464,516
-|
|||464,516|
|||2023
No
1
12|
|||13|
Members of the Council of Management received no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the year (2023: nil).
The total remuneration (including pension and other employee benefits) of the key management personnel of the charity (as detailed on page 1) during the year was £267,718 (2023: £262,590).
One employee received remuneration in excess of £60,000 per annum (2023: nil). One employee received remuneration in band £80,000 - £90,000 per annum.
## **5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|**ANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**||
|---|---|
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Released on disposals
At 31 March 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023|**Equipment**
**£**
255,732
6,691
-|
||**262,423**|
||204,488
23,544
-|
||**228,032**|
||**34,391**|
||51,244|
16
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **6 LISTED INVESTMENTS**
|**At market value:**
COIF
**Total market value**
Historical cost
including cash|At 1 April
2023
£
303,835
303,835
162,092|Add-
itions
£
-
-|Disp-
osals
£
(70,000)
(70,000)|Gains/
(losses)
on reval-
uation
£
34,136
34,136|**At 31**
**March**
**2024**
**£**
**267,971**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**267,971**|
||||||**124,358**|
## **7 DEBTORS**
|Other debtors
Prepayments|**2024**
**£**
**94,123**
**23,621**
**117,744**|2023
£
72,226
22,371|
|---|---|---|
|||94,597|
Other debtors includes amounts falling due after more than one year of £27,104 (2023: £29,679).
## **8**
## **CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
**£**
**8,433**
**9,808**
**15,760**
**7,772**
**41,773**|2023
£
12,775
-
9,953
10,532|
|---|---|---|
|||33,260|
## **9**
## **LEASING COMMITMENTS**
## **Operating leases**
The charity’s total future minimum lease payments under operating leases at 31 March 2024 were payable as set out below:
|Within one year
Within two to five years
More than 5 years
The operating lease charges for the year were:
Hire of premises|**2024**
2023
**£**
£
**6,250**
75,000
**-**
6,250
**-**
-
**75,000**
75,000|
|---|---|
17
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **10 RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|Downloadables
Sponsored Membership
Children's Hospitals
Palliative Care
I.T.System Purchase
PC Purchase
Covid-19 Tablets Fund
Pre-loaded Tablets
Downloadables
Sponsored Membership
Children's Hospitals
Palliative Care
I.T.System Purchase
PC Purchase
Covid-19 Tablets Fund
Pre-loaded Tablets|At 1
April
2023
£
1,956
10,000
113,937
-
28,516
1,054
655
572
156,690
At 1
April
2022
£
31,341
-
5,469
6,318
54,025
1,858
1,354
6,300
106,665|Income
£
279,254
298,975
114,372
22,400
-
-
-
8,000
723,001
Income
£
136,200
254,225
126,037
4,863
-
-
-
11,000
532,325|Expenditure
£
250,338
307,748
80,646
12,538
9,888
804
655
4,745
667,362
Expenditure
£
165,585
244,225
17,569
11,326
25,509
804
179
17,248
482,445|Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
1,500
-
-
-
-
1,500
Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
-
145
-
-
(520)
520
145|**At 31**
**March**
**2024**
**£**
**30,872**
**1,227**
**147,663**
**11,362**
**18,628**
**250**
**-**
**3,827**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**213,829**|
||||||At 31
March
2023
£
1,956
10,000
113,937
-
28,516
1,054
655
572|
||||||156,690|
## **Downloadables**
To provide funding for titles bought for the audiobook catalogue in both CD and download formats.
## **Sponsored Membership**
To provide funding where appropriate to cover individual members part or full costs of membership.
## **Children's Hospitals**
To provide access to audiobooks for children in hospitals. Formerly called Readathon.
## **Palliative Care**
To provide access to audiobooks for hospices.
18
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **I.T.System Purchase**
To greatly improve the company website and operating of internal IT systems including book managing system and substantial additional services. The balance on this fund represents both the I.T.System purchased less depreciation, and also the as yet unspent funds.
## **PC Purchase**
To purchase new computer equipment for staff.
## **Covid-19 Tablets fund**
To provide a preloaded selection of audiobook titles to members during the Covid restrictions.
## **Pre-loaded Tablets fund**
To provide a preloaded selection of audiobook titles to adults who are elderly and isolated.
## **Transfers between funds**
Income reassigned as permitted by donor charitable trusts.
## **11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS**
|Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds|Tangible
Fixed
Assets
£
18,879
15,512
34,391
Tangible
Fixed
Assets
£
29,570
21,674
51,244|Investment
Assets
£
-
267,971
267,971
Investment
Assets
£
-
303,835
303,835|Net
Current
Assets
£
194,950
21,479
216,429
Net
Current
Assets
£
127,120
114,287
241,407|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**213,829**
**304,962**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**518,791**|
|||||Total
2023
£
156,690
439,796|
|||||596,486|
## **12 LEGAL STATUS**
The charitable company is limited by guarantee. The liability in respect of the guarantee, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, is limited to £1 per member of the company. There were 6 members as at 31 March 2024 (2023: 6).
## **13 RELATED PARTY RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS**
N D Forster, a trustee of Listening Books, worked at Overdrive Inc. in the year. During the year £22,057 (2023: £40,602) was paid to Overdrive Inc. in respect of purchases.
19
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **14 PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
The charity is receiving payments from a legacy that has three remaining components to be collected and distributed by the estate. Two components relate to loans the estate made to two individuals, which are being repaid over periods ending in 2029 and 2042. Annual payments are received by the charity from the estate and an asset of £29,679 (2023: £32,254) has been recognised in respect of these loans.
The third component of the legacy is in respect of a property subject to a protected life tenant. At today's prices, receipt by Listening Books is likely to be in the region of £45,000. In accordance with the SORP para 5.34, no asset has been recognised in respect of this by the charity. The charity will only recognise this component of the legacy when the estate has vacant possession of the property. However, the estate is also required to pay for certain major repairs, which it pays for by reducing the annual payments to legatees in respect of the two components described above. No provision has been made against this due to the inherent uncertainty of the payments to be made. Legacy income has been reduced in the year by £2,575 (2023: £4,914) in relation to the reduction in annual payments received.
20
## **LISTENING BOOKS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **15 INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS COIF CHARITIES ETHICAL INVESTMENT FUND**
The COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund is managed in accordance with an ethical investment policy that is set through consultation with unitholders. This requires CCLA to dedicate capital to positive investments, engage with companies to achieve positive changes in business practice and implement the following ethical restrictions.
|**Theme**|**Further Details**|**Exclusion Criteria**|
|---|---|---|
|Climate Change|Oil sands extraction|Companies that derive more
than 5% of their revenue
from the extraction of these
fuels are restricted|
||Energy coal extraction||
||Other ‘Fossil Fuel’
Extraction|Companies that derive more
than 10% of their revenue
from extracting and refining
coal, oil or gas|
||Electrical Utilities|No investment in companies
that cannot align with the
Paris NDCs|
|Armaments|Strategic military sales|Restricted if derive more
than 10% of revenue from
strategic military sales|
||Civilian firearms|10% revenue restriction|
||Nuclear Weapons,
Landmines, cluster
munitions|Investment prohibited if
involved in the production of
these weapons|
|Oppressive Regimes|Sovereign Debt|No debt from countries
identified by the Ethical
Fund Advisory Committee
as being the most
oppressive|
|Tobacco||10% revenue restriction|
|Alcohol||10% revenue restriction|
|Adult Entertainment||10% revenue restriction|
|Gambling||10% revenue restriction|
|Animal Testing|Testing of cosmetics on
Animals|Restricted if in priority sector
and chooses to conduct
testing on animals|
|High Interest Rate Lending||10% revenue restriction|
|Specific Client Restrictions|Production of single purpose
abortifacients|Restricted if a producer of
single-purpose abortifacient|
||Baby Milk Substitutes|Minimum responsibility
standards|
|ESG Minimum Standards|Score lass than 2 on any
FTSE ESG Theme|Comply/explain approach
applies|
|Respecting International
Norms|Substantiated allegations of
non-conformity with
recognised labour, human
rights, biodiversity and
climate change standards|Engagement that can lead
to divestment if no progress
is made|
|Third Party Funds|Screened Against Ethical
Investment Criteria||
21