Charity registration number: 294767
The Vegetarian Charity
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
The Vegetarian Charity
Contents (continued)
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 15 |
The Vegetarian Charity
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees Susy Lenihan James Hickey Eve Crump Anna Pattenden Kathy Lee Stephen James Collins Simon Brasch Paul Howard Charity Registration Number 294767 Principal Office 31 Lillybrook Estate Lyneham Wilts SN15 4AA Independent Examiner Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley ST1 5DD
Page 1
The Vegetarian Charity
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
To relieve poverty and sickness amongst children and young persons up to and including the age of 25 who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress and who are vegetarian or vegan.
To educate children and young persons up to and including the age of 25 in the principles of vegetarianism.
Objectives, strategies and activities
The charity uses its investment portfolio to fund grants to applicants. The applicants must satisfy the conditions and may be individuals or organisations.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Grant making policies
All trustees review and contribute to the decision making of grants. If a final decision is required the chair will have the casting vote.
Use of volunteers
All trustees are volunteers.
Financial review
Policy on reserves
Bank reserves are held for working capital. The investment portfolio is held to generate income from capital increases and investment income.
At the period end free reserves stood at £18,681 (2023: £16,242) with £1,554,768 (2023: £1,143,819) held in the investment portfolio.
Principal funding sources
The investment portfolio generates income from capital increases and investment income.
Investment policy and objectives
The investment policy is agreed and regularly reviewed with Brewin Dolphin, the investment management company.
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The trust was registered on 2 July 1986.
Page 2
The Vegetarian Charity
Trustees' Report (continued)
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
New potential trustees are interviewed by up to three trustees and they review CVs to determine the suitability of skills, expertise, personality fit with the charity’s needs.
Organisational structure
The trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees and serve for three years after which they must put themselves forward for re-appointment. The trustees hold at least two ordinary meetings each calendar year and additional meetings may be held when necessary.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Kathy Lee Trustee
Page 3
The Vegetarian Charity
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Vegetarian Charity
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Vegetarian Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of The Vegetarian Charity 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 The Vegetarian Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of The Vegetarian Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
...................................... Daryl Denson ACMA
VAST The Dudson Centre Hope Street Hanley ST1 5DD
Date:.............................
Page 4
The Vegetarian Charity
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Investment income 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Gains/losses on investment assets Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Investment income 3 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Total expenditure Gains/losses on investment assets Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 |
Unrestricted funds £ 619 31,403 32,022 (29,583) (29,583) 410,949 413,388 413,388 1,160,061 1,573,449 Unrestricted funds £ 661 30,029 30,690 (32,563) (32,563) (64,875) (66,748) (66,748) 1,226,809 1,160,061 |
Unrestricted funds £ 619 31,403 |
Total 2024 £ 619 31,403 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32,022 | 32,022 | |||
| (29,583) | (29,583) | |||
| (29,583) 410,949 |
(29,583) 410,949 |
|||
| 413,388 | 413,388 | |||
| 413,388 1,160,061 |
413,388 1,160,061 |
|||
| 1,573,449 | 1,573,449 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 661 30,029 |
||||
| 30,690 | ||||
| (32,563) | ||||
| (32,563) (64,875) |
||||
| (66,748) | ||||
| (66,748) 1,226,809 |
||||
| 1,160,061 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 13.
The notes on pages 7 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5
The Vegetarian Charity
(Registration number: 294767) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
| Note Fixed assets Investments 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand 11 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Net assets Funds of the charity: Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 13 |
2024 £ 1,554,767 800 18,404 19,204 (522) 18,682 1,573,449 1,573,449 1,573,449 |
2023 £ 1,143,819 - 16,740 |
|---|---|---|
| 16,740 (498) |
||
| 16,242 | ||
| 1,160,061 | ||
| 1,160,061 | ||
| 1,160,061 |
The financial statements on pages 5 to 15 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Kathy Lee Trustee
The notes on pages 7 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
The Vegetarian Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Investment income
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
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The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Charitable activities
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 activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Grant provisions
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Research and development
Research and development expenditure is written off as incurred.
Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Page 8
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Financial instruments
Classification
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.
Recognition and measurement
All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.
Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.
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The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
Investments
Investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary or preference shares (where shares are publicly traded or their fair value is reliably measurable) are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Where fair value cannot be measured reliably, investments are measured at cost less impairment.
Investments in subsidiaries and associates are measured at cost less impairment. For investments in subsidiaries acquired for consideration including the issue of shares qualifying for merger relief, cost is measured by reference to the nominal value of the shares issued plus fair value of other consideration. Any premium is ignored.
Fair value measurement
The best evidence of fair value is a quoted price for an identical asset in an active market. When quoted prices are unavailable, the price of a recent transaction for an identical asset provides evidence of fair value as long as there has not been a significant change in economic circumstances or a significant lapse of time since the transaction took place. If the market is not active and recent transactions of an identical asset on their own are not a good estimate of fair value, the fair value is estimated by using a valuation technique.
Page 10
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals 3 Investment income Income from dividends; Dividends receivable from other listed investments Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits Income from dividends; Dividends receivable from other listed investments Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits |
Unrestricted funds General £ 619 619 Unrestricted funds General £ 661 661 Unrestricted funds General £ 31,250 153 31,403 Unrestricted funds General £ 30,000 29 30,029 |
Total 2024 £ 619 |
|---|---|---|
| 619 | ||
| Total 2023 £ 661 |
||
| 661 | ||
| Total 2024 £ 31,250 153 |
||
| 31,403 | ||
| Total 2023 £ 30,000 29 |
||
| 30,029 |
Page 11
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note Travel and meeting costs Postage and telephone Secretarial fees Equipment/Computer maintenance Insurance Miscellaneous Advertising Grant funding of activities Governance costs Note Travel and meeting costs Postage and telephone Secretarial fees Equipment/Computer maintenance Insurance Miscellaneous Advertising Grant funding of activities Governance costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 315 396 12,232 288 582 45 303 14,900 522 29,583 Unrestricted funds General £ 272 387 12,308 176 575 85 167 18,095 498 32,563 |
Total 2024 £ 315 396 12,232 288 582 45 303 14,900 522 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,583 | ||
| Total 2023 £ 272 387 12,308 176 575 85 167 18,095 498 |
||
| 32,563 |
Page 12
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
5 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements 6 Grant-making Analysis of grants Analysis Grants Awarded |
Unrestricted funds Total General £ 2024 £ 522 522 522 522 Unrestricted funds Total General £ 2023 £ 498 498 498 498 Grants to individuals 2024 £ 2023 £ 19,050 19,050 |
Total 2024 £ 522 |
|---|---|---|
| 522 | ||
| Total 2023 £ 498 |
||
| 498 |
7 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
Page 13
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
8 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
9 Fixed asset investments
| 9 Fixed asset investments |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other investments Other investments Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2023 Revaluation Additions Disposals At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 10 Debtors Prepayments |
2024 £ 1,554,767 Listed investments £ 1,143,819 386,202 1,004,292 (979,546) 1,554,767 1,554,767 1,143,819 |
2023 £ 1,143,819 |
||
| Total £ 1,143,819 386,202 1,004,292 (979,546) 1,554,767 1,554,767 1,143,819 2024 £ 800 |
||||
| 1,554,767 | ||||
| 1,554,767 | ||||
| 1,143,819 | ||||
Page 14
The Vegetarian Charity
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)
11 Cash and cash equivalents
| Cash at bank Short-term deposits 12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals 13 Funds Balance at 1 April 2023 £ Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General 1,160,061 32,022 Balance at 1 April 2022 £ Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General 1,226,809 30,690 |
Resources expended £ (29,280) Resources expended £ (32,396) |
2024 £ 4,206 14,198 18,404 2024 £ 522 Other recognised gains/(losses) £ 410,949 Other recognised gains/(losses) £ (64,875) |
2023 £ 1,666 15,074 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,740 | |||||
| 2023 £ 498 |
|||||
| Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 1,573,752 |
|||||
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 1,160,228 |
14 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the year.
Page 15