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2021-01-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 283670

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

for Development Studies Association

Sterling Partners Limited Chartered Accountants Chartered Tax Advisors 2nd Floor, Grove House 774-780 Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester Greater Manchester M20 2DR

Development Studies Association

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 12
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 13

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2021.

The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

Page 1

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Association are to promote and advance international development as a field of study, research and action, with a mission to deepen understanding of how global poverty and inequalities are produced, sustained and may be overcome, and how a better future may be advanced.

VISION

In taking forward its mission and vision, the DSA is committed to:

ACTIVITIES

In pursuit of these objectives, the DSA has achieved the following during the Financial Year 2020-2021:

1. Annual Conference

The 2020 Annual Conference was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, organised and hosted by the University of Birmingham, 17-19th June. Key statistics from the Conference are as follows: Participants: 490; Number of papers/presentations: 248; Plenary sessions: 3; Panels and study groups: 45.

Planning for the next annual conference began in July 2020 and it was agreed, further to positive evaluation results, that a 5-day event would be hosted by the University of East Anglia also in late June 2021. This will also take place as a virtual online conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. DSA Newsletter

The DSA Newsletter is emailed out monthly to nearly 1750 individuals. The Newsletter performs an important service, appreciated by members and the sector as a whole, to allow members to publicise events, publications, jobs and other news of interest to the sector. It is compiled from contributions from members and continues to attract interest as a means to reach the development sector worldwide.

3. Study Groups

Study Group activity dropped during 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown preventing in-person meetings, however there was continued active participation in the annual online conference. The following activities have been undertaken:

Page 2

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

4. Students

The two student representatives on Council remained active in promoting student activities and interaction with the DSA. At financial year-end there were 207 student members of the association (21% of total membership): a decrease (70 members) in numbers and percentage (due to increased gS member numbers) over the previous year.

The student mailing list was kept current and items of interest and communication with students took place via this list. The DSA Facebook group continued to share updates on DSA news, development sector news, job and paid internship opportunities as well as workshops, conference and training opportunities. At DSA2020 there was a DSA students’ meeting to find ways that students can interact more effectively with the DSA and gain more information about student activities, events etc. There was also once again a well-attended Publication strategies briefing for students and early career researchers (ECR) at the online conference.

The DSA continued to offer its annual Masters' level Development Studies dissertation prize. The award was announced at DSA2020, however the winner: Euan Crispin (SIID, University of Sheffield) was unable to attend the conference to accept his award in person for his work "The Dubai of Africa? Exploring the role of aesthetic representation in the construction of Eko Atlantic City, Lagos". The winning dissertation was linked to on the DSA website.

5. Heads of Centres

A Heads of Centres meeting was held online on 14 October 2020. After the usual updates, the main business for discussion was REF2021. The DSA President had invited the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Anthropology and Development Studies sub-panel to discuss the REF process with HoCs. A link to the recorded version and full minutes of the discussion were circulated afterwards. The Deputy Chair, with responsibility for Development Studies, welcomed the President’s suggestion that she and potentially other REF panel members used the opportunity that REF2021 offered to take stock of development studies in the UK and to hold a DSA organised event on the state of the field after the REF process had been concluded (subject to confidentiality constraints).

6. FCDO and the Future of UK Aid webinar

The DSA organised and hosted a webinar with invited panelists on 12 January 2021, Preet Gil, Labour MP and Shadow Secretary for International Development, Ranil Dissanayake, Centre for Global Development, Melissa Leach, Institute for Development Studies, University of Sussex, Stephanie Draper, Chief Executive of BOND. The Co-Chairs were: Sam Hickey (DSA President, University of Manchester) and Annalisa Prizzon (ODI and DSA Council member), with a roundtable style discussion on the FCDO and the future of UK Aid. The event was well attended (376) and resulted in two blogs published on the DSA website.

Page 3

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Membership

Individual membership at 31st January 2021 increased to 996. This is largely due to a large increase in GS members, which resulted from the conference taking place online, which made it more accessible to those in the GS, who then subscribed in order to obtain the GS registration fee to attend the online conference. Individual and student membership were slightly down from the previous year, probably due to financial constraints both within departments and among individuals due to the effects of the global pandemic. Institutional membership dropped very slightly to 36.

Finances

With sufficient reserves, the DSA continues to seek to allocate its reserves towards its central purposes: cash at bank decreased from £158,576 to £146,632 on 31st January 2021.

Expenditure was lower than budgeted in many areas (Council, Hocs, Study groups) due to the pandemic but slightly higher for Communications (2k) and some more usage of ESRC monies remaining from this grant was spent during this year (6k). Income was reduced due to conference losses (9.5k resulting from the higher than predicted workload in organising the first-ever online DSA conference) and reduced individual (2k) and institutional (3k) subscriptions.

DSA’s main investment has been to directly employ a DSA Communications Manager, Grade 6, 0.5 FTE, for three years on a 12 months rolling contract from April 2021. The post aims to enable DSA to achieve its strategic objectives, particularly in terms of advancing connections to deepen understanding of development, raising the profile of the UK development studies community and providing a platform for its collective voice and increasing our institutional strength.

Administration

The administration of the DSA continued to be carried out by NomadIT.

FUTURE PLANS AIMS FOR THE COMING YEAR (2021-22)

Overall aims for the coming years are given in the Business Plan, 2019-22. Particular goals in the coming year are as follows:

Timing Activity
April 2020 - Mar Assist Communications Manager to begin to promote DSA activities and boost the visibility
2021 of the association.
May 2021 Submit nominations for Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences.
June 2021 Host and organise the 2nd DSA online conference in a new platform.
Oct/Nov 2021 Convene Heads of Centres meeting.
Develop support for PGR and ECR scholars and DSA members based in global South;
Through the year support Study Group Activity; pursue possibility of establishing a DSA journal.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Recruitment, appointment, induction and training of new trustees

Trustees are recruited from members of the DSA with upcoming vacancies signalled in communications to all members from the Chair of the Board. Applicants present their credentials and intentions to the AGM in person or by letter and their appointment is subject to vote. Induction and training takes place before applicants make their approach through informal discussions with existing board members and/or after their appointment. Positions with specific responsibilities (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary) involve more prior training and preparation.

Page 4

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Risk management

The DSA Council reviews sources of, and responses to, risks at least annually. Sources of risk include fluctuating membership, conference attendance, level of study group activity and the status of development studies in the UK. Risks are mitigated through regular consultation with institutional members through Heads of Centres' meetings, monthly newsletters and email communication, reviewing membership categories and rates, reviewing the purpose and design of annual conferences and reviewing costs involved in administering the charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

283670

Principal address

23 Linton Road Hove BN3 5HF

Trustees

Professor G Mohan (resigned 8.6.2020) Dr F Nunan (resigned 19.6.2020) Dr S White (resigned 8.6.2020) Dr L Camfield Professor U Kothari (resigned 8.6.2020) Dr N Gooptu Dr L C Hammond P Anand J Quan (resigned 8.6.2020) Mrs K Hochstetler (resigned 8.6.2020) S Hickey D Brockington Ms A Chammas Miss B Ezeomah Dr U Kambhampati Dr R Slater Miss N Kabeer Ms R S Dieng Ms A Prizzon (appointed 19.6.2020) B Radley (appointed 19.6.2020) P Taylor (appointed 19.6.2020) Ms S Fennell (appointed 19.6.2020) J Fisher (appointed 19.6.2020)

Independent Examiner

Mr Saeid Mokhtassi Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Sterling Partners Limited Chartered Accountants Chartered Tax Advisors 2nd Floor, Grove House 774-780 Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester Greater Manchester M20 2DR

Page 5

Development Studies Association

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees 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 charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ Trustee

Page 6

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Development Studies Association

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Development Studies Association

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Development Studies Association (the Trust) for the year ended 31 January 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true 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.

Mr Saeid Mokhtassi Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Sterling Partners Limited Chartered Accountants Chartered Tax Advisors 2nd Floor, Grove House 774-780 Wilmslow Road Didsbury Manchester Greater Manchester M20 2DR

Date: .............................................

Page 7

Development Studies Association

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
745
Charitable activities
Promotion of development research
89,278
Investment income
2
949
Other income
(468)
Total
90,504
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Promotion of development research
102,448
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(11,944)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
158,576
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
146,632		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2021
Total
funds
£
745
89,278
949
(468)
90,504
102,448
(11,944)
158,576
146,632		 2020
Total
funds
£
730
151,656
48
(908)
151,526
190,227
(38,701)
197,277
158,576

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

Development Studies Association

Balance Sheet

31 January 2021

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank
5
146,632
NET CURRENT ASSETS
146,632
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
146,632
NET ASSETS
146,632
FUNDS
6
Unrestricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-		 2021
Total
funds
£
146,632
146,632
146,632
146,632
146,632
146,632		 2020
Total
funds
£
158,576
158,576
158,576
158,576
158,576
158,576

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

Development Studies Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 permits a charity to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities where gross income in the financial year does not exceed £250,000, therefore receipts and payments accounts and a statement of assets and liabilities in its balance sheet) have been prepared and presented for the year; this is consistent with previous years.

Income

All income, including the subscriptions, conference income and bank interest are recorded when received.

Expenditure

All expenditure are recorded when paid.

Trustees' expenses

These expenses are included in the financial statements once amounts are expended by the Trustees on behalf of the charity.

.

Trustees' indemnity insurance

No charitable funds have been used to purchase insurance to indemnify the Trustees against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment - 33% on cost

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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
2021 2020
£ £
Interest received 949 48

continued...

Page 10

Development Studies Association

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 January 2021 nor for the year ended 31 January 2020.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees expenses of £856 (2020: £2,095) were paid during the year.

4.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
730
Charitable activities
Promotion of development research
151,656
Investment income
48
Other income
(908)
Total
151,526
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Promotion of development research
190,227
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(38,701)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
197,277
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
158,576
5.
CASH AT BANK
Cash at bank and in hand
Total		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2021
Total
funds
£
146,632
146,632		 Total
funds
£
730
151,656
48
(908)
151,526
190,227
(38,701)
197,277
158,576
2020
Total
funds
£
158,576
158,576

continued...

Page 11

Development Studies Association

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

6. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Each of the below funds have arisen due to the donors specifying that the funds donated have to be spent on the specific projects.

Restrictions are imposed through contracts which are signed at the beginning of each project.

7. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 January 2021.

8. FUNDS

Project Funds
brought
forward		 Income Expenditure Transfer
between funds		 Funds carried
forward
£ £ £ £ £
RESTRICTED FUNDS
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
General fund 158,576 90,504 102,448 - 146,632
158,576 90,504 102,448 - 146,632
TOTAL FUNDS 158,576 90,504 102,448 - 146,632

Page 12

Development Studies Association

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 January 2021

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations
Investment income
Interest received
Charitable activities
Subscriptions
Conference and exhibitions
Other income
Other income
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Affiliations
Conference
Administration
Study groups
Stationery, print and postage
Council expenses
Bank and credit charges
Head of centres
Workshop series
Support costs
Governance costs
Sundries
Accountancy and legal fees
Consultancy fees
Total resources expended
Net expenditure		 2021
£
745
949
54,234
35,044
89,278
(468)
90,504
-
51,264
20,556
1,440
4,800
856
512
-
6,317
85,745
500
1,980
14,223
16,703
102,448
(11,944)		 2020
£
730
48
60,408
91,248
151,656
(908)
151,526
514
90,280
37,668
1,918
1,208
2,095
1,171
271
33,369
168,494
1,363
1,980
18,390
21,733
190,227
(38,701)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 13