2022-12-31-accounts

123[rd] Annual Report of the Council of the London Topographical Society for 2022

2022 was the year we thankfully put lockdowns and the worst of the pandemic behind us.

It was a bonus year for the Society’s members as there were two annual publications: The London Journal of John Mackay, 1837-38 by David E. Coke and Nicholas Barbon: Developing London, 1667-1698 b y Frank Kelsall and Timothy Walker. Once again the Society is grateful for the contributions of Linda Fisher and Steve Hartley at Scorpion Creative.

Our Hon. Publications Secretary, Simon Morris, organised another trusty band of volunteers to deliver the publication s which resulted in personal deliveries being made to several hundred members, many arriving before those by the courier outside the Home Counties. We experienced problems with publication distribution this year, mainly due to the late printing of one publication which unfortunately coincided with industrial action at the Royal Mail. As a result, we are examining publication distribution planning for the future.

Council meetings were held in January, April and September to discuss the Society’s publications programme, membership, finances and general administration. The January and April meetings were held using Zoom, however in September we were able to meet at our regular venue for the first time since February 2020, in the offices of CMS solicitors above Cannon Street Station.

The Society’s 121[st] AGM was held on 12 July 2022 in the splendid Assembly Room of Church House across Dean’s Yard from Westminster Abbey. It was attended by about 120 members and guests.

The Society’s total income for 2022 was £100,480 while expenditure came to £70,920. Income was derived from subscriptions, publication sales and a legacy from a former member, Jean Slorah, for £64,433.

During the year 49 new members joined the Society which had 1320 paid-up members. There are two honorary members.

Peter Guillery, a Council Member since 2016, resigned from the Council in September 2022 on moving to a permanent residence in France.

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The Society’s Newsletter was published in May (No.94) and November (No.95) with articles ranging widely over London past and present (see below). In addition, the Newsletter Index was updated by Simon Morris and covered the contents from May 2000 to November 2021, following the same format as Simon’s earlier Index from February 1975 to November 1999. All three are available to read on the Society’s website at https://londontopsoc.org/newsletters/ .

No. 94: In Discovery: The botanic gardens of Regent’s Park Edward Kellow described how research during lockdown led to the discovery of some original plans for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Rebecca Preston and Andrew Saint outlined their plans for a new historical study of St Giles in the Fields. London’s Waterworks by Nick Higham, author of The Mercenary River. Private Greed, Public Good: A History of London’s Water , looked at traces of the water history of London. Based on an article by Patrick Hegarty in the Hornsey Historical Society’s Bulletin , the Newsletter Editor, Bridget Cherry, wrote about the early days of the Parkland Walk running along an old railway line northwest from Finsbury Park. Book reviews covered the great houses of the Strand 1550-1650, St Paul’s from the middle ages to the present day, pleasure in the West End 1800-1914 and London restaurants 1840-1914, and a social history of London over a shorter but partially concurrent period 1870-1914.

No. 95 : David Harrison brought readers up to date with a radical new scheme to ease the life of pedestrians along the Strand past Somerset House in All Change on the Strand . A 50-year interest in London topography and in particular the area of Westminster was the basis for an article Westminster Topography by Tim Tatton-Brown, one of the speakers at our AGM in Church House. Andrew Macnair explained how research can be assisted through a new approach to some familiar maps in London Maps digitally redrawn: John Ogilby and William Morgan (1676), John Rocque (1746) and Richard Horwood (1799) . Ken Gowers explored changing priorities in the creation of London’s public sculpture in Controversial Sculpture: London’s Medical Statues . There were book reviews on the Survey of London’s latest volumes (54 and 55) covering Whitechapel, a social history of seventeenth-century London, and buildings from the middle ages to the seventeenth century which have survived.

In 2022, no prize was awarded for the Ann Saunders Essay Prize in honour of Dr Ann Saunders (1930-2019). It is hoped the first award of £1000 will be made at the 2023 AGM.

Mike Wicksteed Hon. Secretary

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London Topographical Society - Registered Charity number 271590 Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)’, The Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and with the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Stock

Stock comprises surplus books and publications held for resale via the website www.londontopsoc.org and at meetings. They are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. A stock valuation exercise was conducted in early 2022 and this has been updated with sales in 2022 and the inclusion of surplus new (2022) publications.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. The Society has no Designated or Restricted funds.

Key Judgements and assumptions

The Society has made judgements about the likelihood of members continuing to take out subscriptions, of continuing sales income and of ongoing income from royalties and investments. It has estimated outstanding creditors and debtors based on the latest information available. It has formed a view about the adequacy of reserves in the context of planned committed expenditure.

Trustees’ Remuneration and Benefits.

No remuneration or benefits were paid to Trustees at any time in the year.

Related Party Disclosures

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2022.

1. Subscription income is slightly reduced on 2021 which might reflect the easing of pandemic restrictions.

2. The Society no longer collects Gift Aid.

3. Net profit from sale of publications. FRS102 discourages the use of netting so we are now reporting income from, and costs relating to these sales, as separate lines. Sales of past publications continue to provide a good income, albeit reduced a little since the lockdown periods of the pandemic (2020 and 2021).

4. This figure is a grant from the Scouloudi Foundation. The amount is in the gift of the Foundation, and we welcome the increase in 2022.

5. LTS was delighted to receive the sum of £64,433 as a legacy from a former member, Mrs Jean Slorah. We will mention her gift, with thanks, in a future publication.

6. Royalties are collected on our behalf by the Publishers Licensing Services.

7. In 2022 LTS produced:

THE LONDON JOURNAL OF JOHN MACKAY, 1837–38 By David E. Coke ISBN 978-0-902087-72-9, and

NICHOLAS BARBON DEVELOPING LONDON, 1667–1698 by Frank Kelsall and Timothy Walker ISBN 978-0-902087-73-6

1. The Society has agreed to make a grant to the University of Sheffield towards the refurbishment of the Locating Londons Past website www.locatinglondon.org The grant totals £15,430, and is being paid in two equal tranches: £7715 was paid in the year 2022 and a further £7715 will be paid in 2023.

2. Possible Creditor. Money owed 5 years ago but not claimed. This has been retained in case of a future claim but will be written back into the accounts next year (2023), if still outstanding.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT Report to the tTUStees of the lrt>ndon Topographlcal Society Charlty number 271590 I report to the charity's trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022, as set out in the Newsletter. Responslblllties and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 and the Charities Act 2011. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited for this year under FRS 102 and the Charities Act 2011 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145{51(bll of the 201 l Act. Independent examlner's 8tatement I have compLeted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements Concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a tnie and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Brenda Hawkins 100 Beechwood Road South Croydon CR2 OAB