Charity Commission Registration No. 286363
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY | THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY |
|---|---|
| LEGAL AND ADMISTRATIVE INFORMATION | |
| Trustees | Tammaryn Lashley (President) |
| Silvia Marino (Vice President) | |
| Daniel Du Plessis (Treasurer) | |
| Roxana Carare (Secretary) | |
| Accountants | Orcom Civvals Limited |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 50 Seymour Street | |
| London | |
| W1H 7JG | |
| Bankers | Bank of Scotland |
| 174 Byres Road | |
| Glasgow G12 8SW | |
| COIF Charity Funds | |
| CCLA Investment Management Ltd | |
| St Alphage House | |
| 2 Fare Street | |
| London EC2Y 5AQ | |
| Principal Address | 50 Seymour Street |
| London W1H 7JG | |
| Charity Commission | 286363 |
| Registration Number |
– ’ British Neuropathological Society President s Report 2025
The 126th Annual Society Meeting was held on the 29[th] -31[st] January 2025 at The View, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. The meeting remained popular with 170 registrants. The meeting opened with the Symposium on Spatial Transcriptomics. The Alfred Meyer Memorial lecture was given by Prof David Ellison from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, USA on the challenges of classifying brain tumours. The meeting provided 3 scientific sessions with 17 platform presentations, 3 flash talks and poster presentations. A discussion session was held for the diagnostic External Quality Assurance (EQA) Scheme. Sessions were also held for the Professional Affairs Committee, which examines matters relevant to clinical practice in diagnostic neuropathology, and for the general Business Meeting of the Society. The Society has booked the Royal College of Surgeons again for the 127[th] Annual Society Meeting in 2026 and the following year will be moving the Annual Conference to the British Library. The fee structure for meeting attendance is designed to encourage the attendance of students and early career individuals, thus broadening participation in the Society’s educational activities.
The Society’s aim of providing continued further education was addressed via the organisation and support for attendance at meetings. A “Next Generation Socialising” event was held on 28[th] January 2025, the day before the annual conference, at the Gordon Museum at Kings College in London, this brought together clinical diagnostic neuropathology trainees and early career scientific researchers in the neurosciences. With a programme of scientific and career talks, this aimed to foster collaborative activities between clinical and basic researchers that could develop over time. A donation of £500 was given to the Gordon Museum for hosting the event. Funding was provided for trainees to attend the European CNS Basic Course in Neuropathology. The Society also provided a £1000 donation to support the Royal College of Pathologists summer school, an outreach activity for pathology, and Society members contributed to this activity.
The Society continues to run its bursary schemes so support early research activity and provide pilot data for projects. The value of the grants and awards have been increased to facilitate research projects. The small grant scheme is now reviewed twice a year, with deadlines 1[st] March and 1[st] September and applicants can request up to a maximum of £20,000. The funds can be used for direct costs associated with the proposed project. We have now imposed a rule that applicants must have been a BNS member for at least one year prior to applying for the small grant. Preference is also given to undergraduate and early career researchers. Members can also apply for travel bursaries of up to £750 and applications are limited to one per year per member. And a maximum of three awards can be considered per member. The closing dates for these awards are set for the 1[st] March and 1[st] September. Bursaries of £250 can also be applied for to attend the BNS annual conference each year.
The society further supports the International Society of Neuropathology (ISN) and the European Neuropathology Society (EuroCNS) via payment of yearly per capita member subscription fees, which allows BNS members to engage with these bodies and their activities/publications. The society is also affiliated to the Joint Neurosciences Counsel of the United Kingdom.
The society’s finances continue to benefit from royalties generated by its journal, Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology. The journal is published on behalf of the Society by Wiley. Royalties received constitute the bulk of the society’s annual income as in the past. Previously the society subsidised members’ subscription to NAN. At the annual business meeting the members agreed and approved a change to an opt-in access system to NAN. As the majority of members already have open access to NAN through their academic institutions. Members who do not have access to NAN can still request a subscription with their membership. No fundraising activities are undertaken by the society.
The Society continues to provide substantial support to maintaining diagnostic neuropathology as a GMC-recognised independent medical speciality with considerable engagement in the recruitment, curriculum setting and assessment activities relevant to the speciality. This includes the development of standards documents by the professional affairs committee. The Society bankrolls a model External Quality Assurance (EQA) Scheme, which is fully digitised. High level participation and continuous review of the scheme ensures continued public confidence in the national neuropathology service. The BNS also maintains a website (www.bns.org.uk ) as a portal to inform members of the Society’s activities and award schemes.
Professor Tammaryn Lashley BNS President 2025
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Trustees present their annual report on the affairs of the Society together with the financial statements and independent examiners report for the year ended 31st December 2024.The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
Legal & Administrative
The Society is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom, number 286363, and its operations are subject to the Charities Acts 1960 to 2011.
Objects
The object of the Society is to further the study of neuropathology, to promote the exchange of scientific information by means of regular meetings, lectures and demonstrations, and to provide the opportunity for discussions between neuropathologists in Britain and other countries.
The trustees consider that by meeting these objectives they will also meet the Public Benefit test applicable to all Charities.
The financial statements of the Society provide details of major activities undertaken and how the activities have been financed.
The Society has three restricted funds the objects of which are: -
Dorothy Russell and Alfred Meyer Memorial Funds
To provide scientific symposium and lectures in alternate years
NEQAS Fund
To provide quality assurance in relation to neuropathology, to improve and standardise diagnostic neuropathology.
Trustees
The Trustees are listed on page 1.
Organisation
The Society relies, and will continue to rely, on the voluntary work undertaken by the trustees, members of committees and other volunteers. The Society has no employees.
The trustees are elected by the members and, following election, serve a fixed term at the end of which they may stand for reelection if there are no other candidates. Trustees undertake their own training to ensure they achieve their fiduciary duties.
The trustees meet at the Society’s business meetings twice a year at which time strategic decisions are taken.
The trustee and committee meetings are designed to promote and concentrate the educational and scientific value of the Society's activities.
The trustees have a policy to widen representation of the members on committees.
The Society is affiliated to various European bodies but no formal responsibilities to those organisations exist. There are no related parties or subsidiaries.
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT
Investment Powers
The trustees are permitted to make any investment that they see fit, but in view of the current financial climate consider the best arrangements for surplus funds are with the Charities Investment Fund.
Risk Management
The Trustees regularly review the charity’s activities and consider the opportunities available to the charity to enable it to meet its objectives and the risks to which it is exposed. As part of this process the trustees review the risks which the charity may face, establish systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified and implement procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should any of those risks materialise.
The systems are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss.
They include regular consideration of financial results, variance from budgets, segregation of duties and the identification and management of risks.
Reserves
The Committee are conscious that in recent years the reserves of the Society have increased to a greater level than would be required to maintain activities even if funding from the journal were to reduce considerably. It is the Trustees intention that unrestricted funds should be reduced to approximately £250,000 over forthcoming years. This will be achieved by an increase number of research grants where suitable projects are proposed and increased academic, training and educational activities. It is also hoped to achieve digitalization and computerisation -online- for society meetings and EQAs, for this a training programme for some members has already begun.
Responsibilities of Trustees
Charity Law 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 results of the Charity for the period, together with its assets and liabilities at the end of the period and adequately distinguish any material special trust or other restricted fund of the charity. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the appropriate SORP on Accounting by Charities and the Accounting Regulations and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
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 applicable Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice and the regulations made under s44 of the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Professor Stephen B Wharton BNS President (dated)….............
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
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 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General directions given by the Charity Commissioner
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under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiners’ report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiners’ statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with s130 of the Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting
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requirements of the Act
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
M Gibbons FCA Orcom Civvals Limited 50 Seymour St Chartered Accountants London W1H 7JG
10 October 2024
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
INCOME & EXPENDITURE
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds
2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Subscriptions 9,245 426 9,671 8,359
Meeting Income 25,668 25,668 21,481
Surplus from Journal 136,324 136,324 146,595
Interest receivable 15,092 2,297 17,389 17,380
186,329 2,722 189,051 193,815
Direct charitable expenditure:
Publishing Costs 8,890 8,890 8,882
Cost of meetings 3 99,932 99,932 66,969
Grants & sponsorship 4 37,450 37,450 58,083
Subscriptions 5 5,535 5,535 6,137
EQA costs 3,047 3,047 0
151,807 3,047 154,854 140,071
Support expenditure:
Committee expenses 6 815 815 0
Website design 4,680 4,680 4,305
Administrative costs 200 200 4,005
Bank Charges 165 165 114
Accountancy 2,940 2,940 3,270
8,800 0 8,800 11,694
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 160,607 3,047 163,654 151,765
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR 25,722 (324) 25,398 42,050
Fund balances brought forward 644,680 51,903 696,583 654,533
FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD £670,402 £51,579 £721,981 £696,583
----- End of picture text -----
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| Note 7 Creditors 8 2 General Purpose Funds CURRENT ASSETS LESS: CURRENT LIABILITIES NET CURRENT ASSETS Total assets less current liabilities Cash deposits Dorothy Russell Memorial Fund Alfred Meyer Memorial Fund NEQAS Fund Restricted Funds Represented by: Unrestricted Funds |
£ £ 727,861 727,861 5,880 721,981 £721,981 670,402 5,054 48,505 -1,980 51,579 £721,981 2024 |
£ 702,463 702,463 5,880 4,818 46,444 641 |
£ 696,583 £696,583 644,680 51,903 £696,583 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf on …........
D DuPlessis Treasurer
THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a)
These accounts reflect all funds held by the charity, which are governed by the Bye Laws, adopted on 14th July 1977 as amended on 11th January 1991 and 3rd March 2021. The funds held are utilised in accordance with the trusts under which the Trustees are empowered in the Bye Laws.
(b)
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.
(c)
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention on an accruals basis and include income and expenditure as they are earned or incurred rather than as cash is received or paid, except in the case of the surplus from journal, which is accounted for when received from the publisher.
2. ANALYSIS OF RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Income Interest received Expenditure Lecture costs Laboratory costs Online subscription Fund Balance Brought Forward FUND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD Net Income For Year Subscriptions receivable |
Dorothy Russell Memorial Fund Alfred Meyer Memorial Fund EQA Fund TOTAL £ £ £ £ 426 426 236 2,061 0 2,297 236 2,061 426 2,723 0 3,047 3,047 0 0 0 3,047 3,047 236 2,061 (2,621) (324) 4,818 46,444 641 51,903 5,054 48,505 (1,980) 51,579 |
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THE BRITISH NEUROPATHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 £ 3. MEETINGS Meeting costs 99,932 99,932 37,450 Sponsorship 0 37,450 Euro CNS 5,535 5,535 815 815 568,097 110,930 4,835 1,708 42,291 727,861 5,880 5,880 8. CREDITORS NEQAS Restricted fund Creditors 6. TRUSTEES EXPENSES International Society of Neuropathology Unrestricted journal fund 4. GRANTS & SPONSORSHIP Alfred Meyer Memorial Lecture Research grants & bursary's Dorothy Russell Memorial Lecture 5. SUBSCRIPTIONS 7. CASH DEPOSITS Unrestricted general funds Committee room hire The trustees received no remuneration during the year (2024: nil) |
£ | 2023 66,969 66,969 58,083 0 58,083 6,137 6,137 0 0 550,834 105,524 4,594 1,282 40,229 702,463 5,880 5,880 |
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