ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
31 December 2024
Charity registration number: 299029
Contents
We report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages six to nine.
| REPORTS | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 4 |
| ACCOUNTS | |
| Independent Examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities & Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 - 9 |
ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 December 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity number: 299029
Principal address
Archive, Library and Research RAF Museum London Graham Park Way London NW9 5LL
Trustees
AVM S Chisnall (chairman) John Boyes (treasurer) resigned 12 June 2024 Wg Cdr C Cummings (secretary) resigned 12 June 2024 J Cox SL R Kevan Dr H Raffal S Hadaway
Gp Capt J Leggat OBE Dr Sophy Antrobus Sandra Wood Gp Capt J Alexander Wg Cdr S Footer MBE Air Cdr GR Pitchfork Gp Capt S Chappell
Independent Examiner
Create Balanace - Accountants, Tax and Business Partners The Studio Eridge Park Eridge Green Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9JT
Bankers
Barclays Bank plc 8/12 Church Street Walton-on-Thames KT12 2YW
Investment Manager
CCLA 85 Queen Victoria Street London EV4V 4ET
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ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT - YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
The members of the Executive Committee present their report together with the accounts for The Royal Air Force Historical Society for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 7 and comply with the charity's constitution. The Trustees comply with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Constitution
The Society is an unincorporated, membership-based organisation registered under the Charities Act. lt is governed by its constitution approved at the Annual General Meeting of 14 March 1988 (as amended on 22 June 1992, 4 July 1994 ), and is managed by its executive committee who constitute the trustees. The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
History
The Society was formed for the purpose of recording the history of the Royal Air Force since its inception in 1918. The main activity of the Society remains the recording and publication of RAF history through seminars and the publication of journals recording those and other proceedings. ln planning its activities for the year, the Society takes account of Charity Commission guidelines on public benefit. The availability of journals on line is evidence of the Society's efforts to make its research and publications freely available to as wide an audience as possible.
Organisational structure
The trustees of the Society are elected members of the Executive Committee of the Society who are responsible for the overall strategic direction of the charity, its policies and management. The Executive Committee generally meets three times a year to discuss the activities of the charity and to ensure that the day-to-day management of the charity is properly supervised and controlled. The members of the Executive Committee who served during the year are listed below.
Those members of the Executive Committee who have served in office since 1 January 2024 are:
AVM S Chisnall Gp Capt J Leggat OBE J Cox Dr Sophy Antrobus John Boyes Sandra Wood SL R Kevan Gp Capt J Alexander Dr H Raffal Wg Cdr S Footer MBE S Hadaway Air Cdr GR Pitchfork Gp Capt S Chappell
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ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE
The Society has pursued its objectives of organising seminars, encouraging research and producing publications that record aspects of Royal Air Force history. The Spring 2024 seminar was held on Wednesday 10th April 2024 under the chairmanship of Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns, covering the changes in combat support throughout the 1990s. 81 members and their guests attended at the RAF Museum, Hendon. The AGM was held at the RAF Club on 12 June 2024. Changes in the executive committee, new Chairman, Vice Chairman and other new committee members, were approved by the members present, with the previous secretary, and treasurer standing down after many years of distinguished service to the Society. The chairman announced the winner of the Two Air Forces Award as Wing Commander Ben Durham MBE for his paper on “And if Deterrence fails? The Case for Qualitative Combat Mass in a 21st Century Air Force”. The AGM was followed by a presentation from Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Stirrup who spoke on the geopolitics of today’s world. The Autumn seminar was held at RAF Museum Cosford on 18th September 2024 chaired by AVM Steve Chisnall and covering the RAF’s operations leading up to D Day and the Normandy campaign. This was attended by some 70 members and their guests. Following these seminars two journals were published in early 2025, following unavoidable delays in the editorial process. Journal 83 covered the seminar on the RAF in the 1990s and Journal 84 covered the RAF’s support for D Day and the Normandy campaign. During 2024 the Society also gave grants to several charitable causes and provided financial support to a young PhD researcher.
INVESTMENT POLICY
The Trustees' strategy is to hold funds on short-term deposit. The Trustees invest in bank accounts which generate a commercial rate of interest which fits with the activities of the Society. The returns generated by the short-term investments have been as expected and acceptable to the Trustees. The policy is reviewed at least annually by the Trustees.
GRANT MAKING POLICY
The Society makes grants to organisations and individuals whose aims align with those of the Society, or which have historical importance to the Royal Air Force. With the receipt of the Webber Legacy, with the last instalment this year, the Society has reappraised its policy of making grants and the full implications of this will be reflected in this and future reports.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The members of the Executive Committee have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees are developing a risk management strategy. In order to fulfil this, an analysis of the potential operational risks involved is being undertaken, along with an assessment of the likelihood and impact of these risks, as well as consideration of how these risks might be mitigated or managed.
The Society is largely dependent on income from its members, either in the form of subscriptions or legacies. Appropriate accounting checks are in place to ensure that the Society's income is properly identified and allocated to the relevant fund.
3
ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
In planning its activities for the year, the Society takes account of the Charity Commission guidelines on public benefit, the main focus remains the recording and publication of Royal Air Force history through seminars, and the publication of journals recording those and other proceedings. The availability of journals on line is evidence of the Society's efforts to make its research and publications freely available to as wide an audience as possible. We also support air force related causes and young academic researchers.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Name: …..AVM S Chisnall (chairman)
29-May-25 Date:…...........................................................
4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
We report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages six to nine.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is our responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5(b)) of the 2011 Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to our attention
Basis of the independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. lt also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether they give a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
lndependent Examiner's Statement
ln connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.
have not been met, or
(2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Create Balance - Accountants, Tax and Business Partners
The Studio
Eridge Park Eridge Green Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9JT
Signed…........................................................
Director of Create Balance Ltd 29-May-25
Date..............................................................
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ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2024 Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from Generated Funds Donations and Legacies 2 Separate material item of Income 3 Seminar Fees Sales of Publications Investment Income Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable Expenditure Raising Funds 4 Charitable Activities - incl Journals 5 Henry Probert Bursary Donations to other charities Support Costs 7 Total Resources Expended NET INCOME FOR YEAR RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds Brought Forward FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 Bank - Current Account - Business Saver Account Charities Official Investment Fund Account CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors 9 TOTAL NET ASSETS ACCUMULATED FUNDS OF THE CHARITY General Fund Designated Fund - Webber AVM S Chisnall…...........................Chairman |
2024 2023 General Funds Total General Funds Total 12,104 12,715 29,571 - 3,100 3,030 - 110 9,939 8,486 54,714 24,340 3,868 3,909 4,081 15,695 1,000 1,000 18,500 24,000 4,627 3,594 32,076 48,198 22,638 (23,857) 235,597 259,454 £ 258,235 £ 235,597 2024 2023 2,930 3,008 1,536 423 80,033 57,774 175,000 175,000 259,499 236,205 1,264 608 £ 258,235 £ 235,597 35,406 23,839 222,829 211,758 £ 258,235 £ 235,597 29 May 2025..............................................Date |
Total 24,340 48,198 |
|---|---|---|
| (23,857) 259,454 |
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ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2O24
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of lreland (FRS 102) issued on 15 July 2014; and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of lreland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015. The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis, as there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. Based on the adequacy of the charity's reserves as at the balance sheet date, along with their knowledge of the charity's ability to meet bills, payments and other liabilities as they fall due, the trustees believe that the charity is well provided with sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future
b) The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) classifies the charity's income and expenditure according to type of fund. The types of funds in use by the Charity are:
Unrestricted funds - The General Fund is an unrestricted fund in that it is available to be used for any charitable purpose and is used for normal operating income and expenditure.
Designated funds - these are funds deriving from a significant legacy from a former member which have been set aside for specific purposes by way of grants payable in accordance with the charitable objectives and at the discretion of the trustees. They are not, however, subject to any formal restriction and could in theory be 'undesignated' if required. No further amounts are expected to be received.
c) lncome - all voluntary incoming donations and income from the charity's activities are accounted for as received. Tax recoverable under Gift Aid is accounted for in the period in which the underlying gift was received. lnterest receivable is accounted for in the period to which it relates. Legacies are accounted for in the period when they become certain and quantifiable.
d) Expenditure - expenditure is recognised when incurred by the charity, regardless of when payment is made. Grants payable are taken into account at the earlier of when they are paid or become constructive obligations.
e) The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
f) No depreciation is charged.
g) No value has been attributed to the time spent by volunteers in administering the Charity's affairs.
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ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2 Donations and legacies Subscriptions 10,104 Gift Aid recovered on subcriptions 2024 Estimate 2,000 Donations - £ 12,104 £ 3 Material item of income Legacy from former Society member (Webber) £ 29,571 £ 4 Expenditure on raising funds Costs of running seminars £ 3,868 £ 5 Expenditure on membership services Printing and Distribution of Journals 4,081 £ 4,081 £ 6 Expenditure on charitable activities: Grants and Donations Donations from the Webber Legacy: Laguna's Spitfire Legacy CIC - Spitfire AA810 - Malta Gladiator Project - RAF Museum Scarf Appeal - Air League - Clarbeston Road Local History Society 500 Ingham Aviation Heritage Ltd 5,000 RAF Warmwell Memorial Window 5,000 Hercules Tables 3,000 RAF Northolt Heritage 5,000 £ 18,500 £ 7 Support costs Postage and Stationery 812 Meeting costs inc AGM 2,705 1,111 £ 4,627 £ |
2023 10,580 2,085 50 |
|---|---|
| 12,715 | |
| - | |
| 3,909 | |
| 15,695 | |
| 15,695 | |
| 3,000 3,000 5,000 10,000 3,000 - - - - - |
|
| 24,000 | |
| 479 2,428 687 |
|
| 3,594 |
8
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS continued
| 8 Debtors Gift Aid to be claimed Interest due Prepayments £ 9 Creditors: Amounts falling within one year Accruals Members prepaid subscriptions Creditors £ |
2024 2,000 782 148 2,930 £ 500 252 512 1,264 £ |
2023 2,085 775 148 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,008 | ||
| 159 249 200 |
||
| 608 |
10 TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustee remuneration or benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 (31 Dec 2023: Nil)
11 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund TOTAL FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.2024 23,839 211,758 235,597 £ Incoming Resources 25,143 29,571 54,714 £ |
Movement 11,567 11,071 22,638 £ Resources Expended 13,576 18,500 32,076 £ |
At 31.12.24 35,406 222,829 258,235 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement in funds 11,567 11,071 22,638 £ |
12 OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
There were no financial commitments outstanding at the year end.
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