## **COMMON GROUND** # **(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** ## **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS** **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** **Company number: 01645674 Registered Charity: 326335** Chartered Accountants ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **CONTENTS** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Reference and administrative information 1
Report of the trustees 2 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the accounts 7 - 9
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## **COMMON GROUND** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Registered charity**|326335| |---|---| |**Company number**|01645674| |**Address**|Ford, Pineapple Lane, Salwayash| ||Bridport, Dorset DT6 5HZ| |**Registered Office**|Ford, Pineapple Lane, Salwayash| ||Bridport, Dorset DT6 5HZ| |**Trustees**|| ||Tim Dee| ||Neil Sinden| ||Gareth Evans| ||Julian Francis| ||Stephen Boyce| ||Alexa De Ferranti| |**Advisors:**|| |**Accountants**|Edwards and Keeping, Chartered Accountants| ||Unity Chambers, 34 High East Street| ||Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1HA| |**Independent examiner**|M J McMahon FCA| ||2 North Street, Charminster| ||Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9QS| ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ The Trustees present their report and the accounts of Common Ground for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the charitable company's memorandum and articles and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) published in October 2019. In preparing this annual report the trustees confirm that due regard has been paid to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. ## **Trustees of the Charity** The trustees who have served during the year end since the year end were as follows: Tim Dee Neil Sinden Gareth Evans Julian Francis Stephen Boyce Alexa De Ferranti ## **Objectives and activities for the public benefit** The charity's objectives and principal activity continue to be that of inspiring, informing and encouraging people in the care and celebration of their own localities, linking nature and culture. From maintenance of its extensive website, creation of publications, conference and workshop speaking, working with the media, collaboration with other bodies and advisory work, all of Common Ground's activities are for public benefit. ## **Achievements and performance** 2023 sees the continued development of bioregional approach to building homes and place-making in Raise the Roof with various publishing and design phases underway. There were also initial discussion around possible future film development approaches around Common Ground themes and environmental activism, and the beginnings of the Bridport Swift Town project, a community conservation project which will launch in 2024. The Strategic Direction of Common Ground was also explored, and the need to reassert the identity and purpose of Common Ground, perhaps with reviewed and updated mission and the governance arrangements so that Common Ground's enduring values can remain relevant and sustainable. Brinscombe Farm was also discussed for the first time, as a possible site for future Common Ground activities. - 2 - ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **Financial review** Common Ground received fees and supplies income of £34 during the year (2022 £27) with total income of £25,374, compared with £28,769 in the previous year. There was a corresponding decrease in expenditure on raising funds which totalled £22,667 (2022 £24,180) and on charitable activities; £2,538 (2022 £2,678); total expenditure being £25,205 compared with £26,858 in 2022. Net income for the year was £169, compared with £1,911 in the previous year, so that total funds were £13,636 at 31 December 2023. ## **Policy on reserves** The reserves policy aims to build up sufficient funds to absorb setbacks and fundraising difficulties as well as allowing opportunity and challenges to be faced positively. Minimum reserves should cover liabilities - sufficient for rent and overhead commitments - but we struggle to achieve savings of unrestricted reserves which usually get allocated to help with matching funding for projects and gaps between projects. ## **Structure, governance and management** The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 22 June 1982 and registered as a charity on 23 May 1983. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. ## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees** The board has the power to appoint and remove trustees as it considers it fit to do so. To remove a trustee at least half the board must pass a resolution after giving the members fourteen clear day's notice of the resolution specifying the circumstances. This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the trustees for issue on 3 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by **Julian Francis Trustee** ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF COMMON GROUND** I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Common Ground for the year ended 31 December 2023, set out on pages 5 to 9. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions given by the Charity commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: - 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or - 2) the accounts do not accord with those accounting records; or - 3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or - 4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities. 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 ## **M J McMahon FCA** 2 North Street Charminster Dorchester Dorset DT2 9QS 10/07/2024 Date ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
Total funds Total funds
(unrestricted) (unrestricted)
2023 2022
£ £
Income
Donations from individuals 1,254 -
Donations from institutions 23,506 28,024
Fees and supplies 34 27
Sales of goods and services 330 702
Interest receivable on bank deposits - 16
Total income 25,124 28,769
Expenditure
Donations from institutions passed on to Third Parties for projects 22,667 20,500
Film and publication production costs - 763
- -
Wages and salaries
Subcontract cost - 2,917
Travel and subsistence - 553
Rent and rates - -
Repairs and renewals - 14
Telephone 0 13
Advertising and marketing 1,156 917
Stationery, sundries and computer expenses 314 393
Bank charges 27 15
- -
Depreciation
Accountancy and independent examination 970 773
Total expenditure 25,134 26,858
Net (expenditure)/income for the year (10) 1,911
Reconciliation of funds
Funds brought forward 13,467 11,556
Funds carried forward 13,457 13,467
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- 5 - **Company number: 01645674** ## **COMMON GROUND** ## **BALANCE SHEET** _**AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**_ |**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
3
**Current assets**
Stock
Debtors
4
Cash at bank and in hand
**Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
5
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**|**2023**
**£**
8
8
-
300
15,905
16,205
(2,756)
13,449
13,457
13,457
13,457|**2022**
**£**
8
8
-
300
16,073
16,373
(2,914)
13,459
13,467
13,467
13,467| |---|---|---| For the year ending 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime . Approved by the trustees for issue on 3 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by **Julian Francis Trustee** - 6 -