REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 292625
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
for
Compass Braille
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA,
FIPA, DChA, FRSA
3 Wey Court
Mary Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4QU
Compass Braille
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
|
Page |
Report of the Trustees |
1 to 4 |
Independent Examiner's Report |
5 |
Statement of Financial Activities |
6 |
Balance Sheet |
7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
8 to 13 |
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
Thetrusteespresenttheirreportwiththefinancialstatementsof thecharityfortheyearended31 March2021. The
trusteeshaveadoptedthe provisionsof AccountingandReportingby Charities:Statementof Recommended Practice
applicableto charitiespreparingtheiraccountsin accordancewiththe FinancialReportingStandardapplicablein the
UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
TheobjectsofthecharityaretosupporttheworkofoverseasChristianpartnergroupsandindividuals,who work
amongstpeoplewithvisualdisabilitieswithanemphasisonunderdevelopedcountriesandwiththeobject of
upholding the Gospel by providing Braille.
Summary of main activities:
The principal activities of the charity are:
1. The production of Braille including preparation of computer software and the transcription of various languages into the Braille format.
2. Mini-BraillelibraryprojectssupportedbyourSpecialBibleFundprovideruralhousechurchesinIndiawith Braille.
Eachminilibraryconsistsof10BrailleBibleportionschosenbythegroupforuseinBibleStudies.Whenand where
appropriate additional portions are added.
3. The transcription of Bibles into Giant Print in various languages in digital format only.
Policy on grant making and programme related investment:
We are not in a position to make grants. We continue to send our Braille free of charge to the end user.
Contribution made by volunteers:
The charitygratefullyacknowledgesthe contributionmade by its volunteersin the preparationof the Braille portions -
cutting,binding,labellingandpackagingofbooksandBibleportions.Theirvaluedhelpenablesustoproduce large
quantitiesofBrailleeachyear.Unfortunatelyduringthisfinancialyearthevolunteershavebeenlaidoffdue to
Corona Virus restrictions. Outside volunteers (usually overseas) proofread sample Braille to check for errors.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Braille Bible and Braille Booklet Production:
As wellas thelargenumberof BrailleBiblevolumesthatwe produceeachyear,we alsoproducea numberof Braille
Bookletswhichconsistof'lifestyle'books,children'sBiblesandstorybooks,healthawarenessbooks,etc. Even
throughthe pandemicwe havekeptup witha continueddemandforBraillewhichremainsas highas ever as well as
adding new languages.
Trustees/Staff/Volunteers:
We have a committed team of 5 trustees, 5 staff and 9 volunteers.
Transcription and software development:
Sofar,wehavetranscribedBrailleintomorethan50languagesforuseinvariouspartsoftheworld.During this
financialyearwehavetranscribedthenewRunyankoreandAcholiforUgandaandstartedworkontheSwahili and
ArmenianBibleupdates.WehavedevelopedanewBrailletranscriptionprogramthathasimprovedefficiency and
accuracyaswellasreducingouroveralltranscriptioncosts.CompassBrailleis a licensedmemberoftheDigital Bible
LibraryaspartofourpartnershipwiththeUnitedBibleSocietiesandthisinvolvesongoingtranscriptionwork and
updating of the transcription program.
Page 1
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Policy statement on Reserves:
We have a Reserve Fund for filteringmoney into our instantaccess account- it includesmoney that has been donated
forprojects.ThisReserveFundisalsoforemergencyuseshouldwesuffershortfallsduringlowincomeperiods. We
also have a second Reserve Fund to cover the lease of our present premises.
Principal sources of funds:
UBSpart-fundalltheBibleSocietyBrailleprojects.WealsoreceiveUKdonationsfromindividualsupporters, church
groups,grant-makingbodiesandlegacies.Wedonotrunfundraisingcampaignsneitherdoweuseanyfunds to
engageaprofessionalfund-raiserorcommercialparticipator.Wedoproduceaquarterlynewsletterandhave a
Websitetoraiseawarenessoftheneedsandweoccasionallyapproachgrantmakingbodiesforsupportof new
projectsornew equipment.Incomefromlegaciesbequeathedbyoursupportersimprovesourfinancialposition. We
occasionallyreceivefinancialgiftswhenwe carryouttalksaboutthe charityin churchesor at socialgroupsbut these
have rendered impossible due to the pandemic.
We alsohaveourownprojects,suchasMiniBrailleLibrariesandBrailleforindividualsorsmallgroupswhohave no
Bible Society support in their area.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Type of governing document: Trust deed
How the charity is constituted: Declaration of Trust
Trustee selection methods: Appointed by existing trustees
Organisational structure:
Thechiefexecutivereportstoandliaiseswiththetrusteesinmattersconcerningthemanagementand development
of the charity.There are six members of staff whose hoursequateto an equivalentof 3.5 full-timeposts.The trustees
meet two times per annum.
Partnerships/relationship with related parties:
Whilstthecharityisindependentofanyotherorganisation,itworksinpartnershipwiththeUBS(United Bible
Societies)WorldwideBrailleCoordinationHelpdeskbasedinGermany.TheyfacilitateBrailleprovision and
collaborationwith many Bible Societiesaroundthe worldwho distributeBrailleportionson behalfof Compass Braille.
WealsopartnerotheroverseasMissionGroupswhorunprojectsintheircountries,particularlythoseworking in
Outreach, Education, Vocational Training, Community Healthcare and Healthcare Awareness.
Consideration of major risks:
Werecognisethat,havingonemainpartnerandonlyafewsmallerpartnergroups,CompassBraille'sability to
functionis dependenton these groupsso we continueto seek new partnershipsand add new languages.Our website
and quarterlynewslettershave helped to increasethe numberof enquirieswhich can lead to the productionof Braille
fornewcountriesornewlanguageareas.OneofCompassBraille'suniquestrengthsis thatwe aretheonlygroup in
theUK(andprobablyworldwide)whotranscribeandproducetheBrailleBible,withitscomplexlayoutinso many
languages.OurPressisfullycomputerisedandthismeansweproduceBrailleinsmallorlargequantitiesin many
languages.
The premisesat CraneMead BusinessParkare leasedon a 5-yearcontractanda contingencyamountis investedin a
norisksavingsaccounttocoverthiscostshouldtherebecausetodissolvethecharitybeforetheleaseexpires. The
charity does not own any property.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
292625
Page 2
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
Principal address
16 Crane Mead Business Park
Crane Mead
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9PZ
Trustees
Glennis Anne Dowling
Paul East
Susannah Joan East
Gwilym Aylward Hitchcock (Chair of Trustees)
Madhukanta Jacob Hitchcock
Chief Executive
Colin P Dowling
Independent Examiner
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA,
FIPA, DChA, FRSA
3 Wey Court
Mary Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4QU
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC
Fore Street
Okehampton
EX20 1HJ
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trusteesare responsiblefor preparingthe Reportof the Trusteesand the financialstatementsin accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
ThelawapplicabletocharitiesinEnglandandWales,theCharitiesAct2011,Charity(Accountsand Reports)
Regulations2008andtheprovisionsofthetrustdeedrequiresthetrusteestopreparefinancialstatementsfor each
financialyearwhichgiveatrueandfairviewofthestateofaffairsofthecharityandoftheincomingresources and
applicationofresources,includingtheincomeandexpenditure,ofthecharityforthatperiod.Inpreparing those
financial statements, the trustees are required to
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
Thetrusteesareresponsibleforkeepingproperaccountingrecordswhichdisclosewithreasonableaccuracyat any
time the financialpositionof the charityandto enablethem to ensurethatthe financialstatementscomplywith the
CharitiesAct 2011, the Charity(Accountsand Reports)Regulations2008 and the provisionsof the trust deed. They are
alsoresponsibleforsafeguardingtheassetsofthecharityandhencefortakingreasonablestepsforthe prevention
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Page 3
Compass Braille
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 10 September 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
G Hitchcock - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Compass Braille
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Compass Braille
IreporttothecharitytrusteesonmyexaminationoftheaccountsofCompassBraille(theTrust)fortheyear ended
31 March 2021.
Responsibilities and basis of report
AsthecharitytrusteesoftheTrustyouareresponsibleforthepreparationoftheaccountsinaccordancewith the
requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I reportinrespectof my examinationof theTrust'saccountscarriedoutundersection145of theActandin carrying
out my examinationI have followedall applicableDirectionsgiven by the CharityCommissionundersection 145(5)(b)
of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I havecompletedmyexamination.I confirmthatnomaterialmattershavecometomyattentioninconnection 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.
Ihavenoconcernsandhavecomeacrossnoothermattersinconnectionwiththeexaminationtowhich attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA,
FIPA, DChA, FRSA
3 Wey Court
Mary Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4QU
17 September 2021
Page 5
Compass Braille
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
31,811
Charitable activities
Braille production
56,832
Investment income
2
114
Total
88,757
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Braille production
108,531
Support costs
2,085
Total
110,616
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(21,859)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
143,700
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
121,841 |
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
31.3.21
Total
funds
£
31,811
56,832
114
88,757
108,531
2,085
110,616
(21,859)
143,700
121,841 |
31.3.20
Total
funds
£
32,053
57,402
348
89,803
112,546
2,924
115,470
(25,667)
169,367
143,700 |
|
|
|
|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Compass Braille
Balance Sheet 31 March 2021
Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
7
34,881
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
6,236
Cash at bank
82,906
89,142
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
9
(2,182)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
86,960
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
121,841
NET ASSETS
121,841
FUNDS
10
Unrestricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
31.3.21
Total
funds
£
34,881
6,236
82,906
89,142
(2,182)
86,960
121,841
121,841
121,841
121,841 |
31.3.20
Total
funds
£
24,751
7,352
113,991
121,343
(2,394)
118,949
143,700
143,700
143,700
143,700 |
|
|
|
|
The financialstatementswere approvedby the Boardof Trusteesand authorisedfor issue on 10 September2021 and
were signed on its behalf by:
G Hitchcock - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
Thefinancialstatementsof thecharity,whichis a publicbenefitentityunderFRS 102,havebeenprepared in
accordancewiththeCharitiesSORP(FRS102)'AccountingandReportingbyCharities:Statement of
RecommendedPracticeapplicabletocharitiespreparingtheiraccountsinaccordancewiththe Financial
ReportingStandardapplicablein the UK and Republicof Ireland(FRS 102) (effective1 January2019)', Financial
ReportingStandard102 'The FinancialReportingStandardapplicablein the UK and Republicof Ireland'and the
Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All incomeis recognisedin the Statementof FinancialActivitiesoncethe charityhasentitlementto the funds,
it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilitiesarerecognisedasexpenditureassoonasthereisalegalorconstructiveobligationcommitting the
charitytothatexpenditure,itisprobablethatatransferofeconomicbenefitswillberequiredin settlement
andtheamountof theobligationcanbe measuredreliably.Expenditureis accountedforonanaccruals basis
andhas been classifiedunderheadingsthataggregateall costrelatedto the category.Wherecostscannot be
directlyattributedtoparticularheadingstheyhavebeenallocatedtoactivitiesonabasisconsistentwith the
use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciationis providedat the followingannualrates in orderto write off each asset over its estimated useful
life.
Equipment- 25% on reducing balance
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at 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.
Restrictedfundscanonlybeusedforparticularrestrictedpurposeswithintheobjectsofthe charity.
Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Furtherexplanationofthenatureandpurposeofeachfundisincludedinthenotestothe financial
statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
Thecharityoperatesadefinedcontributionpensionscheme.Contributionspayabletothecharity's pension
scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 8
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
INVESTMENT INCOME |
|
|
|
31.3.21 |
31.3.20 |
|
£ |
£ |
Interest |
114 |
348 |
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
During the year ended 31 March 2021 remunerationtotalling£5,347 (2020: £9,804) was paid to G A Dowling, a
trustee. The remuneration is approved by the Charity Commission.
CPDowling,amemberofkeymanagementpersonnel,whoisalsothespouseofatrustee, received
remuneration of £10,167 (2019: £24,204).
NADowling,afamilymemberofatrusteeisemployedbythecharityandreceivedremuneration totalling
£8,694 (2020: £8,694).
RJDowling,afamilymemberofatrusteeisemployedbythecharityandreceivedremuneration totalling
£16,996 (2020: £4,867).
Trustees' expenses
Therewerenotrustees'remunerationorotherbenefitsfortheyearended31March2021norforthe year
ended 31 March 2020.
The charity purchased Trustees' Indemnity Insurance at a cost of £263 (2020: £263).
4. STAFF COSTS
Staff costs incurred by the charity were as follows:
|
31.3.21 |
31.3.20 |
|
£ |
£ |
Gross wages |
65,079 |
69,410 |
Employer's National Insurance |
- |
2,101 |
Pension costs |
681 |
641 |
|
|
|
Total |
£65,760 |
£72,152 |
|
|
|
The average number of full and part-time staff employed by the charity was as follows:
|
31.3.21 |
31.3.20 |
Charitable activities |
5 |
5 |
There were no employees whose remuneration exceeded £60,000 (2020: none).
continued...
Page 9
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
5.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
32,053
Charitable activities
Braille production
57,402
Investment income
348
Total
89,803
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Braille production
112,546
Support costs
2,924
Total
115,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(25,667)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
169,367
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
143,700
6.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
Independent Examiner's remuneration
Other accountancy services |
5.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
32,053
Charitable activities
Braille production
57,402
Investment income
348
Total
89,803
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Braille production
112,546
Support costs
2,924
Total
115,470
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(25,667)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
169,367
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
143,700
6.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
Independent Examiner's remuneration
Other accountancy services |
|
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- |
Total
funds
£
32,053
57,402
348
89,803
112,546
2,924
115,470
(25,667)
169,367
143,700 |
|
|
31.3.21 |
|
31.3.20 |
|
|
£ |
|
£ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£1,300 |
|
£1,300 |
|
|
- |
|
£500 |
|
|
|
|
|
continued...
Page 10
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
7.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 April 2020
Additions
At 31 March 2021
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2020
Charge for year
At 31 March 2021
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020
8.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other debtors
Tax recoverable
VAT
9.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
10.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Special Bible Fund
Special Booklet Fund
TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.20
£
134,543
6,575
2,582
143,700
143,700 |
31.3.21
£
2,784
2,818
634
6,236
31.3.21
£
726
1,456
2,182
Net
movement
in funds
£
(21,859)
-
-
(21,859)
(21,859) |
Equipment
£
227,766
18,649
246,415
203,015
8,519
211,534
34,881
24,751
31.3.20
£
4,176
2,382
794
7,352
31.3.20
£
969
1,425
2,394
At
31.3.21
£
112,684
6,575
2,582
121,841
121,841 |
|
|
|
|
continued...
Page 11
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming
resources
£
88,757
88,757 |
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(110,616)
(21,859)
(110,616)
(21,859) |
|
|
|
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Special Bible Fund
Special Booklet Fund
TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.19
£
160,469
6,856
2,042
169,367
169,367 |
Net
movement
in funds
£
(25,926)
(281)
540
(25,667)
(25,667) |
At
31.3.20
£
134,543
6,575
2,582 |
|
|
|
143,700 |
|
|
|
143,700 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Special Bible Fund
Special Booklet Fund
TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming
resources
£
89,262
1
540
89,803
89,803 |
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(115,188)
(25,926)
(282)
(281)
-
540
(115,470)
(25,667)
(115,470)
(25,667) |
|
|
|
General fund
This represents the general funds of the charity, to be used to further its charitable objectives.
Special Bible Fund
Giftswhichdonorsmake specificallyto the SpecialBibleFundare usedforourownprojects.Unlikeour other
projectsthataresupportedthroughourpartnershipwiththeUnitedBibleSocieties,theseprojectsare either
urgentorfalloutsideof thenormalremit.Thepurposeis tohelpsmalleroverseasgroupswhoonlyuse small
amounts of Braille.
Special Booklet Fund
continued...
Page 12
Compass Braille
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2021
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Thisfundsupportstheproductionof BrailleBooklets.Theseconsistof 'lifestyle'books,children'sstory books,
health awareness books, etc.
11. OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
Operating lease commitments
AttheBalanceSheetdatethecharityhadacommitmentunderanon-cancellableoperatingleaseto make
rentalpaymentsof£11,500perannum.Thepropertyleaseexpireswithinonetofiveyearsofthe Balance
Sheet date.
Therentalpaymentsrecognisedasanexpenseintheyearended31March2021were£11,500 (2020:
£11,500).
The minimum total lease payments due over the remaining lifetime of the lease are £18,687.
12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Pleaseseenote3totheaccountsfordetailsoftrustees'remunerationandbenefits.Therewereno further
related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2021, or for the year ended 31 March 2020.
Page 13