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2023-12-31-accounts

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

CHARITY NUMBER 268289

REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

CONTENTS

Page
Legal & Administrative Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2-4
Independent Examiners Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8-12

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NAME: The Federation of Children’s Book Groups
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 268289
TRUSTEES: Patricia Adams Chair
Jane Etheridge Vice Chair
Anne Bradley National Secretary
Sarah Stuffins Treasurer
Rosemary Pike
Diane Gaunt
Annie Everall (resigned 15/4/2023)
Elizabeth Hall (resigned 15/4/2023)
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: Wakananai
Firs Road,
Mardy,
Abergavenny,
NP7 6NA
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Dunstanette KutiFCCA
Community Action Sutton,
Granfers Community Centre
73-79 Oakhill Road
Sutton
SM1 3AA
BANKERS: Lloyds Bank plc

1

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES For the year ending 31 December 2023

The Board presents the report and financial statements for The Federation of Children’s Book Groups for the year ended 31 December 2023. The statements appear in the format required by the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised December 2005). The report and statements also comply with Companies Act 2006.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The organisation is a charity and its governing instrument is a Constitution, originally adopted on 2 October 1976.

Objectives and Activities

To educate children by encouraging them to read and appreciate books

In the interests of social welfare, to organise appropriate and enjoyable leisure time activities that broaden children’s experience of life and encourage children’s awareness of the world around them.

Public Benefit

The activities that we carry out are described above. These activities are undertaken to meet our objectives and aims and to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.

In setting and reviewing our objectives and aims, and in planning and carrying out our activities, we have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The Board carries out regular reviews of its skill sets and endeavours to recruit as required in order to forward the work of the charity

Risk Management

The organisation has mitigated its financial risk by adopting a reserves policy which is outlined below. Annual accounts and returns are filed with the Charity Commission. In-house financial mentoring is undertaken to ensure charity funds are being properly controlled and in accordance with its constitution objectives.

During the year the charity did not employ anyone and was managed and operated by the Trustees voluntarily.

2

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued) For the year ending 31 December 2023

Organisation of the Charity

Membership of the Federation is open to any persons or group of persons operating as children's book group.

The Federation consists of

Achievements and performance

An in person conference was held in April 2023 at Rugby School. The number of delegates had increased since 2022 and the conference was deemed to be a success. A venue has been booked for 2024

The Children’s Book Award ceremony was held at the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education. Following legal action supported by our insurers the Federation was repaid £5000 by the venue for the 2022 award ceremony which was cancelled due to industrial action. There is a significant amount of money in the deposit account which will be required to fund the Children’s Book Award until a new sponsor is found. The National Executive is investigating a number of possible sources of funding.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The results for the year end and financial position of the Charity are shown in the annexed statements.

The charity’s net deficit is £294 (£134 surplus, 2022). This leaves final balances to carry forward of £78,939 of which £74,685 Unrestricted funds and £3,254 Restricted funds. (£78,233 Total funds, 2022). Since the Balance Sheet date no significant changes have taken place.

3

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued) For the year ending 31 December 2023

RESERVES POLICY

The Charity’s Trustees aim is to have cash reserves to keep a minimum of three months operating costs, building to a maximum of six months when funds allow, though the nature of the charity’s funding dictates that this will be a slow process. The Reserves Policy is reviewed annually by the Trustee Board.

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.

In preparing those Financial Statements the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS

A resolution proposing Community Action Sutton be appointed as Independent Examiners of the charity will be put to the Annual General Meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

………………………………………… Ms Patricia Adams (Chair)

………………………………………… Ms Sarah Stuffins (Treasurer)

…………………………………………

Date

4

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 set out on pages 6-12 which have been prepared under the accounting policies set out on page 8.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent Examination is needed

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for Independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent review

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe, that in any material respect, the requirements have not been met:

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: Dunstanette Kuti FCCA MCSI

Position: Community Accountant Community Action Sutton Granfers Community Centre,

73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 3AA

Date:

5

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
Income:
Charitable Activities
Voluntary Income
Investment Income
Total Income
2
Expenditure:
Charitable Activities
Governance costs
Total Expenditure
3
Net Income / (Expenditure)
4
Transfers between funds
Total Funds brought forward
Total Funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
2022
£
£
£
£
25,253
-
25,253
27,230
17,765
-
17,765
6,320
258
-
258
15
43,277
-
43,277
33,565
42,606
-
42,606
32,581
965
-
965
850
43,571
-
43,571
33,431
(294)
-
(294)
134
-
-
-
-
74,979
3,254
78,233
78,099
74,685
3,254
77,939
78,233

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than those in the statement of financial activities. Therefore, no statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared. All the above amounts relate to continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts.

6

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
FIXED ASSETS:
Tangible Assets
6
CURRENT ASSETS:
Stock
Debtors & Prepayments
7
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES:
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
8
Deferred income
9
NET CURRENT ASSETS:
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS
10		 164
3,890
74,820		 2023
£
6,900
71,039		 164
7,583
64,436		 2022
£
6,900
71,333
78,874 72,183
1,425
6,410		 850
-
7,835 850
77,939 78,233
74,685
3,254		 74,979
3,254
77,939 78,233

The financial statements were approved by the board on _____ and signed on its behalf by:

The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts.

7

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the financial statements.

Basis of preparation of Accounts

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015), effective January 2015.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the charitable objectives of FCBG.

Restricted funds are made up of grants received for the specific projects including salary payments and may only be applied for this purpose. Any changes to the agreed budgets must be agreed with the funders considered before being actioned.

Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are in included in the Statement of Financial Activities when FCBG has entitlement to in the income and there is a certainty of receipt and the amount is quantifiable. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts are included when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

Interest receivable is included when receivable.

Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such actives and those costs of an indirect nature to support them.

Governance costs include those costs associated with organisational administration and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

8

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2. INCOME

Charitable Activities
FCBG Conference
FCBG
Jean Russell
Voluntary Income
FCBG
Subscriptions
Donations and Sponsorship
CBA
CBA contributions
Other income
Bank interest received
Total Income		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
2022
£
£
£
£
23,979
-
23,979
17,276
1,274
-
1,274
4,954
-
-
-
5,000
25,253
-
25,253
27,230
5,345
-
5,345
2,820
5,897
-
5,897
3,500
6,523
-
6,523
-
17,765
-
17,765
6,320
258
-
258
15
258
-
258
15
43,277
-
43,277
33,565

9

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3. EXPENDITURE:

Charitable Activities
FCBG
Exec Travel
Secretarial
Newsletter
Pub and Merchandise
NSSM
CBA
NNFN
Insurance
Sundries
Storage
Meetings/Room Rental
CDL Hotel Ltd -dispute
FCBG Conf
2023 Delegate refunds
2023 Delegate refunds
2023 venue fees
Speaker fees
2023 expenses
PIA 2021 venue fees
Governance costs
Independent Examiner's fee
Trustees' expenses		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
Total 2022
£
£
£
£
2,302
-
2,302
643
81
-
81
84
1,320
-
1,320
1,280
-
-
-
150
59
-
59
98
11,020
-
11,020
5,570
260
-
260
-
325
-
325
325
1,540
-
1,540
495
1,152
-
1,152
1,152
144
-
144
203
2,083
-
2,083
-
-
-
-
55
400
-
400
1,678
18,589
-
18,589
12,794
3,200
-
3,200
3,675
132
-
132
36
-
-
-
4,344
42,606
-
42,606
32,581
965
-
965
850
-
-
-
-
965
-
965
850
43,571
-
43,571
33,431

10

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4. NET RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

(a) This is stated after charging:
Independent Examiners Fee
(b) Donated goods in the year		 2023
2022
£
£
965
850
2023
2022
£
£
Nil
Nil

5. STAFF COSTS

Trustee and Employee information

Trustees

No remuneration or expenses were paid to any trustee during the year (2022: nil).

The aggregate amount of reimbursed traveling expenses made to the four trustees was £ nil (2022: nil).

6. FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 31 December 2023 and 2022
Depreciation
At 31 December 2023 and 2022
Net Book Values
At 31 December 2023 and 2022
7. DEBTORS
Prepayments		 Trophies
Total
£
£
6,900
6,900
-
-
6,900
6,900
2023
2022
£
£
3,890
7,583
3,890
7,583

11

The Federation of Children’s Book Groups

Registered Charity number: 268289

THE FEDERATION OF CHILDREN’S BOOK GROUPS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

8. CREDITORS – amounts falling due within one year

Accrued expenses
Accrued Independent Examiners Fees
TOTAL		 2023
2022
£
£
475
-
950
850
1,425
850

9. DEFERRED INCOME

2024 Delegates
2024Publishers		 2023
2022
£
£
5,405
-
1,005
-
6,410
-

10. TOTAL FUNDS

`

Restricted Funds
National Year of Reading Fund
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund		 At 31
Decembe
r 2022
Income
Expenditur
e
Transfers
At 31
Decembe
r 2023
£
£
£
£
£
3,254
-
-
-
3,254
3,254
-
-
-
3,254
74,979
43,277
(43,571)
-
74,685
78,233
43,277
(43,571)
-
77,939

12