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2023-12-31-accounts

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul

Annual Report and Accounts

31 December 2023

Charity Registration Numbers: 296042 (England and Wales) SC037889 (Scotland)

Contents

Reports

Reference and administrative details
of the charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 3
Independent auditor’s report 18
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 23
Balance sheet 24
Statement of cash flows 25
Principal accounting policies 26
Notes to the accounts 31

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers

Trustees Sister Angela Grant fsp_(Delegate Superior)_
Sister Elaine Penrice fsp
Sister Mary Ann Salvilla fsp_(Bursar)_
Sr Florence Wahome
Council Sister Angela Grant fsp
Sister Lalaine Lilio fsp
Sister Elaine Penrice fsp
Sister Florence Wahome fsp
Principal office 84 Church Street
Liverpool
L1 3AY
Telephone 0151 709 1328
Website www.paulineuk.org
Charity registration 296042 (England and Wales)
numbers SC037889 (Scotland)
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
PO Box 756
Slough
SL1 4SG
Solicitors Stone King LLP
13 Queen Square
Bath
BA1 2HJ
J McSparran & McCormick
19 Waterloo Street
Glasgow
G2 6AH

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 1

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers

Property consultants Gerald Eve LLP
72 Welbeck Street
London
W1G 0AY
and at 140 West George Street
Glasgow
G2 2HG
Insurance consultants Marsh Commercial
39 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
ME19 4ER

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 2

Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

The Trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2023. The charity trades under the name Pauline Books & Media.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 26 to 30 of this document and comply with the charity’s trust deed, applicable laws 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

The Daughters of St Paul (“the Congregation”) is an international Roman Catholic religious Congregation founded by Blessed James Alberione in Alba, Italy, in 1915. Mother Thecla Merlo was the co-foundress and first Superior General of the Daughters of St Paul. Mother Thecla died on 5 February 1964 and was proclaimed “Venerable” on 22 January 1991.

In terms of Canon Law the Congregation of the Daughters of St Paul is an Institute of Pontifical status.

On 1 December 2023 the Daughters of St Paul numbered 1,871 sisters throughout 50 countries composed of 208 communities. The Congregation forms part of a worldwide group of congregations known as the Pauline Family. The Daughters of St Paul follow the Congregation’s Constitutions and Directory, approved by the Holy See on 26 January 1984.

Mission

As stated in the Constitutions of the Congregation, the name ‘Daughters of St Paul’ expresses a fundamental relationship with St Paul the Apostle. The main objective of the Congregation is the perfection of charity to be attained through the spirit and practice of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience in common life and to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world with the most modern means of social communication.

Pauline Books & Media ensures that, at all times, it is acting in the public benefit and the Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.

Chapels in Pauline Books & Media Centres are open to the public for prayer and masses. In view of public benefit and a culture of education, Pauline Books & Media seek to provide resources and occasions of encounter to help all people grow in faith and peace. Pauline Books & Media also send products to their communities in poorer countries for distribution in schools and parishes.

As Pauline Books & Media continues to reach out to new people, the sisters explore the most modern ways of proclaiming Jesus Christ to the world. Aware of the potential of the internet, social media and developments in technology, they avail of these new means and appreciate the interest and feedback they receive from the public.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies

Pauline Books & Media Centres

Throughout 2023, the Charity’s activities have been carried out at 4 locations throughout the UK: London, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Glasgow. The primary way it has continued to serve the people of the UK has been through its Pauline Books & Media book websites, alongside the book centres on the high street.

Pauline Books & Media productions are resources sourced or commissioned and distributed by the charity in order to support local communities in their faith journey and in their educational programmes. Products developed by the sisters are one of the main ways in which they carry out their mission and objectives, as well as being one of their primary sources of income which is used wholly to support the objectives of the charity.

New products of 2023

We have for many years, produced our Icon & Word Calendar, with beautiful icons representing artists from many different parts of the world. We are pleased to have the opportunity to promote the work also of our Ukrainian friends through our publications, our small contribution to this collaborative relationship will bring awareness and support to the difficult times the Ukrainian people are suffering at this time.

We also collaborated with our sisters in the Philippines to bring Gospel

Power to the UK audience, providing daily spiritual commentary on sacred scripture. This is a much-anticipated product that was so highly sought-after publication.

London

Our Pauline Books & Media outlet is a small continuing presence serving our London patrons in collaboration with the parish of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Kensington. The small space at the entrance of the church was formally the parish repository, and with the kind support of the parish priest and the parishioners, we will continue to provide means of ongoing formation and evangelisation in London.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Pauline Books & Media Centres (continued)

Liverpool

The Liverpool book centre at 84 Church Street, close to the heart of the commercial city, and is in easy walking distance from the Central and Lime Street Stations. The community of sisters has been working hard to welcome visitors from all over the world, through the physical store as well as through the distribution warehouse and the central office of the Pauline Books & Media website.

Pauline Books & Media are not confined by our traditional outreach locations, but frequently visit local Churches and conference centres to make our services reach as many people as possible.

Newcastle

The staff working at the Book Centre by Newcastle Cathedral have dedicated themselves to welcome visitors as always. All our Pauline Books & Media Centres are wheelchair accessible so to provide services to our whole community.

Pauline Books & Media in Newcastle is an important resource hub of the Catholic diocese there and is always a welcome contributor at their education conferences.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Pauline Books & Media Centres (continued)

Glasgow

Pauline Books & Media in Glasgow has been working hard throughout the year to welcome friends young and old, not only to our everyday services, but to many special events throughout the year, building community and reaching out to customers throughout Scotland.

Collaborating with other Charities

Of particular note is our efforts to work alongside other charities. This year we sought to work to support Mary’s Meals and are proud that the Religious Life Safeguarding Service have chosen to rent one of the floors of our Liverpool property, to provide central and accessible offices to religious congregations in seeking to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Pauline Books & Media Centres (continued)

Warehouse & Web ordering

The mission activities in the Pauline Books & Media warehouse and shipping department continue to be in high demand. With the reduction in footfall on the high street and the ongoing financial challenges within our communities, online and telephone sales continued to attract customers. The warehouse management is working hard to distribute our products by offering special discounts to trade customers and bulk purchasers.

Websites

- www.pauline uk.org www.paulinemission.org

The Pauline Books & Media website is a sector of the Daughters of St Paul’s mission which we seek to keep continually updated. The website is that space where the sisters have the opportunity to support those who are not able to come into the high street book and pastoral centres. Besides providing products for purchase, the website has the facility to accept prayerrequests as well as providing the general public with information about the Daughters of St Paul. Pauline Books & Media continue to invest resources into improving our outreach through online engagement with our clients and patrons.

The Pauline Mission website, which runs alongside the commercial website has continued to address pertinent topics of the day, providing free content and information to our patrons.

Social Media

Our Social Media presence is also an important part of our efforts to build community, so our channels have continued to be dedicated to the same mission as our other apostolic activities, for example promoting diversity and inclusion through our particular way of doing mission.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Pauline Books & Media Centres (continued)

Social Media (continued)

Vocations Ministry

Discovering what to do with your life is one of the

many challenges young adults have to work at these days. The pressures of modern-day life can leave many people hesitant to make some of the most satisfying but daunting lifedecisions. The Daughters of St Paul work with the local church to help such young people feel supported and guided in this important time of their lives. One sister works three days a week in this service of the local church, and this year was a full year with World Youth Day, Flame, and Youth 2000 festivals!

General Government and British Delegation

During their meetings the Trustees reflect on governance issues including the “Relationship with our Generalate in Rome”. In view of the expenses incurred by the General Government which is at the service of the Congregation worldwide, each circumscription (Province or Delegation) is asked to contribute a percentage (2%) of turnover to cover part of such costs.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

The British Delegation (Daughters of St Paul)

The British Delegation of the Daughters of St Paul is made up of 14 sisters from 7 different countries: Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malta, Philippines, Scotland, and the USA. The Trustees are Sister Angela Grant fsp, (Chair), Sister Mary Ann Salvilla fsp (Bursar), Sister Elaine Penrice fsp (Secretary) and Sister Florence Wahome fsp. They are aware of their specific roles and ensure that all resources are used efficiently and effectively to further the charitable objects (evangelisation through the media of social communication). The Chair, Sister Angela Grant, keeps up to date with the Charity Commission in England and Wales and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (announcements and publications) to ensure that the Trustees comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.

Looking to the future

Mapping a way forward

The Trustees of the charity have worked to plan ways forward, which will sustain the charity’s work in the near future:

In 2023 we took steps to invest the remaining funds received from our previous years’ property sales. This investment has already proved to be profitable in comparison to keeping the funds in our high-street business account.

With the current financial climate in the UK, and the responsibility to care and provide for the members of the religious community who have been entrusted with the mission and activities of the institute, there is a recognisable financial challenge that is only being sustained by the good stewardship of preceding decades. This, however, has become increasingly difficult, compounded by the reality that the average age of the sisters is 69.5 years. Of 14 members, only 6 of these are below the age of 70. This personnel situation has little prospect of amelioration in the short or medium term.

In 2023 we relocated two of our elderly sisters: one to a local care home, and the other returned to her home nation in Italy for professional care. We have taken care that both sisters will also have their spiritual needs supported and are visited by Daughters of St Paul. This has a financial impact on the Charity because of the loss of their pension income, and at the same time the charity continues to contribute towards their needs. Provision for eventual funerals is being allocated for this also.

Despite our current financial challenges, we recognise the significant value our Italian sisters and the contribution sisters in the Italian province have given us over the years. These times are also financially difficult for all over our religious congregation. In view of this, we decided to make a financial contribution to the Italian province in view of their commitment to care and provide for our sisters who have returned to them in their later years, in various stages of health. This should also provide for their eventual funeral arrangements.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Looking to the future (continued)

Mapping a way forward (continued)

Presently there are 4 sisters who are responsible for leadership and management of the charity, all of whom carry out other responsibilities in the mission. The community leader is overseeing the direction and management of all locations, the board of advisers, and frequently supports mission activities throughout the UK.

All sisters in the community make some practical contribution to the life and mission of the institute, including the ministry of prayer, welcoming and hospitality. Besides this, the all the sisters who can work in the diffusion mission do so according to their abilities. Because of diminishing numbers and increasing average age, the younger sisters have multiple responsibilities.

Reorganising Delegation of Great Britain

Considerable investment of time and financial resources has been used to secure the charity for the medium and long-term. The next stage of the redesigning process is evaluating the new rhythm of the apostolic centres to ascertain the personnel needs of that centre. 2023 has proved that there is considerable challenge in finding the right persons to work in the roles that we have advertised, in some cases multiple times or over a longer period. Some progress has been made but it is likely that some further investment in finding new staff will be needed.

Advisors

In consideration of the challenges of present times, the Trustees have a panel of four external advisers who represent a breadth of experience from financial, business, and religious backgrounds. Besides these, the Trustees have also been consulting with Gerard Eve real estate advisors, and with Buzzacott LLP.

The aforementioned advisors have been consulted regarding their expertise in investment, sustainability and property management, with a view as to how to better prepare the charity to move securely into the future.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Safeguarding

The Trustees are committed to Safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Daughters of St Paul in Great Britain. They are fully aware of the Safeguarding policies, procedures and recommendations of the Catholic Church of England, Wales and Scotland. The Trustees are updated on Safeguarding matters by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS). The sisters are offered periodic updating on safeguarding training and the Trustees ensure that both sisters and employees are reminded of their rights and responsibilities in this regard. All active sisters and staff have a DBS check and are signed up to the update service.

Trustee meetings are careful to address safeguarding matters when they gather, and trustees are informed about any matters of concern that may arise. In 2023 there have been no reports of concerns about the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults in our locations.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The Trustees take care to follow the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.

Reserves Policy

Our Reserves Policy is aimed at helping the Daughters of St Paul to maintain the charity as a going concern and ensure the sisters are sufficiently able to support themselves in their retirement. The general fund should comprise between 25% and 50% of forecast annual operating expenditure. The retirement fund is reviewed annually with the Trustees taking advice on the minimum amount required per person, in accordance with changes to the average retirement period, the cost of living and changes to the demographic of the Congregation.

Marsh Commercial Insurance Brokers

Marsh Commercial is one of the founding business in Marsh McLennan (MMC) – a global leader in insurance broking and risk management with a 150-year heritage.

Year-end accounts

The Trustees reviewed the 2023 year end accounts. They are aware of the overall decline in income over the past years and are seeking advice as to how to respond best to the challenge. Despite the trend in declining income, the trustees do not believe there are any material uncertainties over the charity’s status as a going concern over the next twelve months.

Fundraising

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with supporters. It takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data with other organisations, and ensures that its communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of Professional Fundraisers.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Objectives, activities, and relevant policies (continued)

Fundraising (continued)

The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During 2023, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

Financial review

Results for the year

Total income for the year amounted to £887,548 (2022 – £6,890,403) The comparative amounts for 2022 included gains on the sale of two properties amounting to £5,974,084. Gains on the disposal of fixed assets in 2023 amounted to just £2,800. Excluding gains on the disposal of fixed assets, total income for the year amounted to £884,748 (2022 – £916,319). Of the total income, £701,179 (2022 – £679,759) was derived from the charity’s primary purpose trading activities.

Total expenditure for the year amounted to £1,277,635 (2022 – £1,475,300). Of this total, £1,265,105 (2022 – £1,215,709) was directly related to the costs of the charity’s primary purpose trading activities.

Net expenditure for the year was £390,087 (2022 – net income was £5,415,103, but excluding gains on the disposal of fixed assets, the charity’s net expenditure for 2022 was £673,626).

Financial position

The balance sheet shows total funds of £9,513,834 (2022 – £9,903,921).

Of this, £3,506,224 (2022 – £2,673,067) represents the net book value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets used to support the work of the sisters. In 2022, the fund excluded the value of the loan from the Congregation’s General Government of £884,387 which was used to help finance the purchase of property. During 2023, that loan was repaid in full and the fund now reflects the full value of the charity’s tangible fixed assets.

The disposal proceeds from the sales of the charity’s properties in Kensington and Slough during 2022 have allowed the trustees to set aside £4,000,000 (2022 – £4,000,000) as a designated retirement fund to provide care and support for the sisters in the long term.

Free reserves, therefore, are those shown on the balance sheet as general funds and amounted to £2,007,610 at 31 December 2023 (2022 – £3,230,854). Whilst the level of free reserves is currently in excess of the reserves policy, the trustees are aware that the charity is likely to incur deficits in the coming years, particularly in the light of rising costs, and the excess in the fund will therefore be required to cover these shortfalls.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Trustees have developed plans to guard the sustainability of the charity’s work in the near future and the sisters continue to work on new products for sale through Pauline Books & Media. Pauline Books & Media is currently developing best practice in regard to the future mission of the charity.

The Trustees have identified and considered major risks that the charity may be exposed to. Having assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, the Trustees believe that by monitoring progress, and by being informed also through reading relevant documentation from the Charity Commission, they have established effective systems to mitigate these risks.

The key risks for the charity, as identified by the Trustees, are described below together with the principal ways in which they are mitigated.

Competition from large scale retailers

In common with many other businesses, competition from larger retailers, particularly those with an online presence such as Amazon, contributes to a decline in revenues for Pauline Books & Media. The charity also bears the additional overheads associated with maintaining its presence on the high street in different locations across the UK.

Planning for the care of elderly sisters

An analysis of the age profile of the members of the Delegation shows that the average age of members on 31 December 2023 was 69.5 years. The Trustees are aware that there is both a moral and legal obligation to care for the older members. None of the sisters have resources of their own as all earnings, pensions and other income have been donated to the charity under a Gift Aid compliant Deed of Covenant. As the age profile increases, so too does the need to provide care for the sisters. Key elements of the management of this risk are: (a) ensuring that the charity has the available financial resources to finance this care both now and in the years ahead by setting aside assets in a designated fund, the value of which has been based on actuarial principles, but constrained by the availability of unrestricted reserves; and (b) ensuring that processes are in place to review regularly the ministries and needs of individual sisters encouraging those who need it to take on less demanding ministries and for identifying those who need extra care and help.

Availability of financial resources

As noted in the financial review above, the charity’s balance of free reserves remains a concern for the longer term due to the recurring deficits and the desire to increase the amounts designated for the longer term care of the sisters of the Congregation. The Trustees continue to consider options to manage this issue longer term.

Governance, structure, and management

In terms of Canon law, the Congregation of the Daughters of St Paul is an Institute of Pontifical status. It is governed at an international level by the Superior General and her Council in Rome. The members of the General Government are elected every six years at a General Chapter, by representatives of all the Provinces and Delegations of the Congregation.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Governance, structure, and management (continued)

The British Delegation of the Daughters of St Paul is governed by the Delegate Superior and her Council. The Delegate and Councillors are appointed by the Superior General following a consultation of the members of the British Delegation.

In terms of Civil law, the Charity is governed by a Trust Deed dated 16 January 1987, a scheme of the Charity Commission dated 14 January 1997 and the Deed of Variation dated 12 July 2013. The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales with registration number 296042. The Charity is registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in Scotland with number SC037889.

Trustees

The following Trustees were in office at the date on which this report was approved and served throughout the year to 31 December 2023.

Trustee Sister Angela Grant fsp (Delegate Superior) Sister Elaine Penrice fsp (Secretary from December 2018) Sister Mary Ann Salvilla fsp (Bursar from May 2019) Sr Florence Wahome fsp

The Trustees are all members of the Congregation in Great Britain. They are well versed in the charism of the Congregation and are selected for their personal qualities and their understanding and experience of the works and ministries of the Daughters of St Paul. Together they form a good skills mix and act as a board. They are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. When necessary, the Trustees seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers. They attend the meetings of the Conference of Religious in England & Wales, Conference of Religious in Scotland, the Catholic Charity Conference and meetings of the Association of Provincial Bursars. In planning activities, the Trustees keep in mind at all times the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ report and the accounts 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 and in Scotland requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Governance, structure, and management (continued)

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities (continued)

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and the provisions of the charity’s 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.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Structure and management reporting

The Government of Delegation controls the activities of the charity within the following departments:

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Governance, structure, and management (continued)

Structure and management reporting (continued)

The Trustees hold regular meetings throughout the year and examine the Trustees’ report and accounts. Special meetings are called to approve capital expenditure, policies regarding employment of lay staff, risk management, health and safety matters, updating reserves policy, and so on. All Trustee meetings are held at the Pauline Books Media Centre, 84 Church Street, Liverpool L1 3AY. The Trustees regularly report to, and are accountable to, the General Government of the Congregation in Rome and require that Government's agreement for property transactions and the spending of large sums of money.

Key management personnel

The Trustees (including the Delegate Superior and Bursar) consider that they alone comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The Trustees are all members of the Delegation and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity, they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties to the charity.

Members of the Delegation

At the end of 2023 there were 14 sisters in the British Delegation who live as part of 3 communities: 1 in Slough and 2 communities in Liverpool.

The average age of the sisters in 2023 was 69.5 years. The sisters do not receive a wage for their services. They continue to serve the Lord joyfully and in a spirit of prayer and in view of the common good. They use the wisdom and experience of the years as they hold administrative and responsible posts within the central administration, production and retail departments. Care for the elderly sisters and sick members of the Delegation is a priority for the Trustees.

Employees

The Charity employs 13 people:

The charity is an equal opportunities employer and will apply objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. Selection criteria and procedures are reviewed to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities.

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Trustees’ report 31 December 2023

Governance, structure, and management (continued)

Employees (continued)

The Trustees recognise that the laity are an integral part of building up the Kingdom of God and that they have their vocation and their rights to be involved in mission.

Pauline Books & Media is required to provide a workplace pension for all employees who meet the criteria governing automatic enrolment. The scheme, for which Aviva is the provider, has become a qualifying scheme for automatic enrolment purposes. Pauline Books & Media remains committed to adhering to the ongoing requirements governing automatic enrolment.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

Trustee Sr Elaine Penrice Approved on: 22/08/2024

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Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2023, which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the trustees’ report, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the accounts themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 14, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with those Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 20

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

How the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 21

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2023

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. and Regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Date: 22 August 2024

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 22

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 December 2023

Notes Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
2023
£		 2022
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Bank interest
2
Charitable activities
. Communications media income
3
Other sources
. Rental income
. Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
. Foreign exchange gains
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
. Spreading the Gospel through communications media
4
Other items
. Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
. Foreign exchange losses
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure) income and net movement in funds
7
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward at 1 January 2023
Total funds carried forward at 31 December 2023		 41,397
99,647
701,179
10,800
2,800
31,725		 80,549
3,296
679,759
—
5,974,084
152,715
887,548 6,890,403
1,265,105
437
12,093		 1,215,709
38,899
220,692
1,277,635 1,475,300
(390,087)
9,903,921		 5,415,103
4,488,818
9,513,834 9,903,921

All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 23

Balance sheet 31 December 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2023
£		 2022
£		 2022
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Investments
11
Current assets
Stocks
12
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
14
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
. Tangible fixed assets fund
15
. Designated funds
16
. General fund


162,965

92,230
1,911,988		 3,506,224
3,999,921		 181,014
67,602
7,190,229		 3,557,454
—
7,506,145
2,007,689		 3,557,454
6,346,467
2,167,183

(159,494)		 7,438,845
(1,092,378)

9,513,834 9,903,921
3,506,224
4,000,000
2,007,610		 2,673,067
4,000,000
3,230,854
9,513,834 9,903,921

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Trustee Sr Elaine Penrice

Approved on: 22/08/2024

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 24

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2022
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Bank interest received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Disposal of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of investments
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash outflows from repayment of borrowings
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2023
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023
B
(425,281)		 (501,521)
83,026
(54,728)
3,050
(3,999,921)		 3,296
(59,657)
8,385,000
—
(3,968,573) 8,328,639
(884,387) (926,957)
(884,387) (926,957)
(5,278,241)

7,190,229		 6,900,161
290,068

1,911,988		 7,190,229

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2023.

A Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash used in operating activities

2023
£		 2022
£
Net expenditure (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Interest receivable
Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Decrease (increase) in stocks
(Increase) decrease in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities		 (390,087)
105,271
(99,647)
(2,800)
437
18,049
(8,007)
(48,497)		 5,415,103
139,696
(3,296)
(6,088,729)
38,899
(3,627)
11,755
(11,322)
(425,281) (501,521)
Analysis of changes in net debt 2022
£		 Cash flows
£
(5,278,241)
884,387
(4,393,854)		 2023
£
1,911,988
—
1,911,988
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Borrowings
Loans due within one year
Total cash and cash equivalents net of borrowings		 7,190,229
(884,387)
6,305,842

B Analysis of changes in net debt

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 25

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 December 2023 with comparative information provided in respect to the year to 31 December 2022.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the Trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 26

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Assessment of going concern

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial statements. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to at least a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these financial statements.

TheTrustees are of the opinion that the charity has planned carefully in order to meet its liabilities as they fall due and, whilst they acknowledge that there will be challenges ahead in respect of current macroeconomic challenges exacerbated by the ongoing fragile geopolitical climate, they are of the opinion that, following the property disposals in 2022 and subsequent investment of the majority of the proceeds, the use of the going concern assumption in the preparation of these financial statements is appropriate.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor or funder has specified that the income is to be expended in a future accounting period.

Income includes income from donations, bank interest, charitable activities and other income being the gain on the disposal of tangible fixed assets and foreign exchange gains.

Donations, including salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance 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 those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

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.

Income from charitable activities relates to the turnover derived from the charity’s primary purpose trading activity, principally the sale of religious book, media and artefacts. The income is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer. This is usually when the stock has been dispatched to the customer.

A gain (or loss) on the disposal of tangible fixed assets is defined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the net book value of the asset at the time of disposal and after deducting any costs associated with the disposal. The gain (or loss) is recognised at the time when legal completion of the sale takes place.

See “foreign currencies” below for details relating to foreign exchange gains and losses.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 27

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Services provided by members of the Congregation

For the purposes of these accounts, no value has been placed on the administrative and other services provided by the members of the Congregation.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. The majority of expenditure is directly attributable and any apportionment between headings is negligible. The classification between activities is as follows:

Indirect support costs are wholly allocated to the cost of charitable activities and include staff costs, depreciation, governance costs and other overheads including those in relation to the running and upkeep of the book centres and the central office. Governance costs relate to the costs of public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Pension costs

Contributions to employees’ group personal pension plans and the charity’s workplace pension scheme are debited to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are payable.

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and depreciated at the following annual rates on a straight line basis in order to write them off over their estimated useful lives:

Freehold buildings 2% per annum
Fixtures and fittings 10% per annum
Computer software and equipment 20% per annum
Motor vehicles 20% per annum

No depreciation has been charged on refurbishment works until these are complete.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 28

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Tangible fixed assets (continued)

Freehold land and buildings purchased on or prior to 17 June 1997 are included in the accounts at a valuation carried out by Gerald Eve LLP, Chartered Surveyors and property consultants, at that date. In accordance with the transitional provisions of FRS 102, the 1997 valuation is now deemed to be cost. Land and buildings purchased on or after 18 June 1997 and all other tangible fixed assets are included on the balance sheet at cost.

Investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

The charity’s investments are currently held as cash instruments within liquidity funds.

Stocks

Stocks of finished goods and goods for resale are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolescence.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 29

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2023

Fund accounting

The tangible fixed assets fund comprises the net book value of charity’s tangible fixed assets, the existence of which is fundamental to the charity being able to perform its charitable work and thereby achieve its charitable objectives. The value represented by such assets should not be regarded, therefore, as realisable.

Designated funds comprise monies set aside out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects.

General funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity’s charitable objects.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the net movement in funds.

Leased assets

Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 30

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

1 Donations and legacies 2023
£		 2022
£
Salaries and pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid
or Deed of Covenant
Legacies
Donations		 32,312
—
9,085		 36,636
26,765
17,148
41,397 80,549
2
3
4
5
6		 Bank interest 2023
£		 2022
£
3,296
2022
£
Interest receivable 99,647
Communications media income 2023
£
Turnover from trading activities
Royalties and copyright income		 701,179
—		 679,664
95
701,179 679,759
Spreading the Gospel through communications media 2023
£		 2022
£
Costs of goods sold
Community living and personal expenses
Support costs (note 5)		 405,376
402,653
457,076		 383,117
187,973
644,619
1,265,105 1,215,709
Support costs 2023
£		 2022
£
Staff costs (note 8)
Depreciation
Book centre and office expenses
Governance costs (note 6)		 137,971
105,271
197,084
16,750		 130,680
139,696
359,273
14,970
457,076 644,619
Governance costs 2023
£		 2022
£
Auditor’s remuneration 16,750 14,970

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 31

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

7 Net expenditure and net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

2023
£		 2022
£
Staff costs (note 8)
Auditor’s remuneration
. Statutory audit services
Rentals under operating leases
Depreciation		 137,971
16,750
4,500
105,271		 130,680
14,970
3,375
139,696

8 Staff costs and remuneration of key management personnel

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

2023
£		 2022
£
126,833
1,246
2,601
130,680
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 135,004
218
2,749
137,971

The average number of employees during the year, analysed by function, both on an average headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE) basis, was as follows:

2023
FTE		 2022
FTE		 2023
Average
number		 2022
Average
number
Charitable activities
. Spreading the Gospel through
communications media		 6 7 12 13

No employees earned £60,000 per annum or more (including taxable benefits but excluding employer pension contributions) during the year (2022 – none).

The Trustees (including the Delegate Superior and Bursar) consider that they alone comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The Trustees are all members of the Delegation and whilst their living and personal expenses are borne by the charity they receive no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties to the charity (2022 – £nil).

9 Taxation

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 32

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

10 Tangible fixed assets

Freehold
land and
buildings
£		 Fixtures
and
fittings
£		 Computer
software
and
equipment
£		 Motor
vehicles
£		 Total
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
At historic cost
At deemed cost (1997 valuation)
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book values
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022		 3,716,267
11,625
—		 405,775
20,363
—		 51,134
3,522
(809)		 27,365
19,218
(4,893)		 4,200,541
54,728
(5,702)
3,727,892 426,138 53,847 41,690 4,249,567
3,578,632
149,260		 426,138
—		 53,847
—		 41,690
—		 4,100,307
149,260
3,727,892 426,138 53,847 41,690 4,249,567
340,395
74,504
—		 229,744
25,897
—		 45,841
2,690
(122)		 27,107
2,180
(4,893)		 643,087
105,271
(5,015)
414,899 255,641 48,409 24,394 743,343
3,312,993 170,497 5,438 17,296 3,506,224
3,375,872 176,031 5,293 258 3,557,454

The charity’s freehold land and buildings were revalued to open market value on 17 June 1997. The valuation was carried out by Gerald Eve LLP, chartered surveyors and property consultants. As permitted under the transitional arrangements of Financial Reporting Standard 102, the charity has continued to adopt a policy of not updating this valuation which is now deemed to be cost. With the exception of freehold land and buildings, all other assets are included above at historic cost.

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the charity’s land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of the properties and the effects of inflation. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs which, in the opinion of the Trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to users of the accounts.

11 Investments

Cash investments

Cash investments
12 2023
£		 2022
£
At 1 January 2023
Additions
At 31 December 2023		 —
3,999,921		 —
—
3,999,921 —
Stocks 2023
£
162,965		 2022
£
Finishedgoods andgoods for resale 181,014

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 33

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

13 Debtors

Debtors
2023
£		 2022
£
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 21,822
6,103
64,305		 20,580
623
46,399
92,230 67,602

14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
£		 2022
£
Loan from the Congregation’s General Government
Other amounts due to the Congregation’s General Government
Expense creditors
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income		 —
48,130
41,569
50,115
19,680		 884,387
70,591
65,080
53,535
18,785
159,494 1,092,378
2023
£		 2022
£
Deferred income
Deferred income at 1 January 2023
Released during the year
Resources deferred during the year
Deferred income at 31 December 2023		 18,785
(3,620)
4,515		 17,865
(3,705)
4,625
19,680 18,785

Deferred income consists of gift vouchers that have yet to be redeemed of £19,680 (2022 – £18,785).

15 Tangible fixed assets fund

Tangible fixed assets fund
Total
2023
£		 Total
2022
£
At 1 January 2023
Net movement in tangible fixed assets in the year
Add: Repayment of loan towards the purchase of property
At 31 December 2023		 2,673,067
(51,230)
884,387		 4,161,314
(2,415 204)
926,957
3,506,224 2,673,067

16 Designated fund

The funds of the charity include the following designated fund which has been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes:

At
1 January
2023
£		 New
designations
£		 Transferred
to general
fund
£		 At 31
December
2023
£
Retirement fund 4,000,000 — — 4,000,000

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 34

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

16 Designated fund (continued)

Designated fund(continued)
At
1 January
2022
£		 New
designations
£		 Transferred
to general
fund
£		 At 31
December
2022
£
Retirement fund — 4,000,000 — 4,000,000

The retirement fund comprises monies to apply towards the needs of caring for members of the Community in the longer term.

17 Analysis of net assets between funds

General
fund
£		 Designated
fund
£		 Tangible
fixed asset
fund
£		 Total
2023
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
Total net assets		 —
—
2,167,104
(159,494)		 —
3,999,921
79
—		 3,506,224
—
—
—		 3,506,224
3,999,921
2,167,183
(159,494)
2,007,610 4,000,000 3,506,224 9,513,834
General
fund
£		 Designated
fund
£		 Tangible
fixed asset
fund
£		 Total
2022
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2022 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
Total net assets		 —
3,438,845
(207,991)		 —
4,000,000
—		 3,557,454
—
(884,387)		 3,557,454
7,438,845
(1,092,378)
3,230,854 4,000,000 2,673,067 9,903,921

18 Pension scheme

The charity operates a group personal pension plan. The assets of the plan are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds. Employees may contribute 5% of their gross salary to the plan (before tax relief: effectively 4%), which is matched by an equal contribution from the charity. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the plans and amounted to £2,749 (2022 – £2,601).

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 35

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2023

19 Ultimate control

The charity, which is constituted as a trust, was controlled throughout the period by the Daughters of St Paul by virtue of the fact that the Superior General of the Congregation and her Council appoint the Trustees. The Daughters of St Paul in Great Britain do not hold any assets, incur liabilities or enter into any transactions in its own right. Assets and liabilities of the Congregation in Great Britain are vested in the Trustees of the charity, who undertake all transactions entered into in the course of the charitable activities of the Congregation in Great Britain.

20 Related party transactions

Transactions with the Congregation’s Generalate

La Casa Generalizia del Istituto Pia Societa Figlie di San Paolo, (The Generalate of the Institute of the Pious Society of the Daughters of Saint Paul), based in Rome, is the legal entity representing the canonical governing body of the worldwide Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Paul, the ultimate controlling entity described in note 19. As such, the Congregation’s Generalate is considered to be a related party of the charity.

During the year, the charity incurred costs of £2,227 (2022 – £3,315) in relation to stock purchases from the Generalate and made contributions to the Generalate of £14,586 (2022 – £16,077), which includes an adjustment for the estimated contribution accrued in the prior year. The charity also contributed £16,104 (2022 – £nil) to the Generalate in respect of UK pension receipts for sisters who are now resident in Italy.

The charity also transferred £200,000 to the Generalate to provide care and funeral services for the three sisters that moved there in the year.

At the year end, an amount of £48,130 (2022 – £70,591) was owed to the Generalate.

Additionally, as at 31 December 2022, a loan of £884,387 was repayable to the Generalate by the charity. This loan was fully repaid during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Transactions with the charity’s trustees and connected persons

Income from donations and legacies includes the salaries and pensions of certain Trustees of the charity received under Gift Aid or Deed of Covenant. For the year ended 31 December 2023, the total value of these receipts amounted to £13,637 (2022 – £12,988).

Other donations made by the trustees to the charity during the year amounted to £500 (2022 – £nil).

During the year, the charity made donations of £1,000 (2022 – £nil) to assist with medical care for a relative of a trustee, Sister Mary Ann Salvilla.

Other transactions with Trustees are disclosed in note 8.

The Pious Society of the Daughters of St Paul 36