OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-03-31-accounts

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

COMPANY REGISTRATION NO: 02346855 CHARITY REGISTRATION NO: 801729

Page 1

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their combined Directors’ report and Trustees’ annual report, as required by company law, together with the audited financial statements of Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommend Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL MATTERS

The Company is incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Acts (Registration No. 02346855) and operates under the name INFORM. Its registered office is:

C/o Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies

Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway London WC2B 6LE

The following Directors of the Company listed below have continued to serve from 1 April 2023 to the date of this report unless stated otherwise:

Amma Anane-Ayegi Rabbi Charley Baginsky Dr George Chryssides Dr Susannah Crockford (appointed October 2023) Dr Graham Harvey (stepped down October 2023) Professor Mark Hill KC Dr Humeira Iqtidar (Stepped down June 2024)) Professor Kim Knott (Chair) Father Toby Lees The Reverend Andrew Maguire

(Stepped down June 2024)) (Chair) (Treasurer – stepped down, as treasurer, at end of 2023-24 financial year) (appointed treasurer and director in April 2024)

Dr Edward Graham-Hyde

Dr Marat Shterin Dr Jasjit Singh (stepped down June 2024) The Reverend Alan Walker The Reverend Stephen Hollinghurst Dr Aled Thomas (appointed April 2024)

Page 2

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES

Four trustees of the charity are nominated, one each by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the British Sociological Association Sociology of Religion Study Group, The Free Churches Group and the Westminster Roman Catholic Diocese. Up to ten additional trustees are appointed by agreement of the current trustees. Areas of skill, expertise, recognition or diversity which may be beneficial to the operation of the charity are identified through a process of discussion among the trustees, and recommendation by specialist networks. When the current trustees are satisfied that a potential trustee is suitable for appointment, an invitation to join is issued. All trustees agree to promote the Charity's objectives and to conduct its business in accordance with the Charity Commission's guidelines.

The Company has obtained charitable status and is registered with the Charity Commission (Registration No. 801729). As a registered Charity, Inform is entitled to the exemptions from taxation in respect of Income and Capital Gains to the extent that such income and capital gains are applied for charitable purposes.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Bankers : Auditors: National Westminster Knox Cropper LLP Aldwych Branch Chartered Accountants Connaught House, 65 Aldwych 65 Leadenhall St, London WC23 4EG London, EC3A 2AD

OBJECTS

To advance public knowledge and understanding by the promotion of study and research into religions and those movements commonly known as new religious movements concerned with the exploration of spiritual life or philosophies, and the dissemination of the useful results of such study and research to the public.

Page 3

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE YEAR

Inform pursued its charitable objects in 2023/24 by means of the following activities: s of the following activities:

Page 4

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

The trustees believe that this wide-ranging programme of activities helped Inform to achieve its strategic aim of bringing the best available knowledge, based on the methods of the social sciences, about minority religions to the attention of members of the public and relevant statutory authorities. In this way, Inform’s educational objective of advancing public knowledge and understanding of minority religions was achieved. This programme was carried out in co-operation with numerous universities, researchers, religious organisations, and professional associations, both in the UK and abroad.

Throughout the period Inform was in communication with officials in Government departments about future project funding. Applications for funding were made to various trusts.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total income for the 12-month period ended 31st March 2024 was £120,793 being £87,341 higher than income for the 12-month period ended 31 March 2023. Expenditure for the 12month period ended 31st March 2024 increased to £104,470. Over the year there was a net increase in resources of £16,323.

RESERVES

The level of unrestricted reserves, which at the year-end amounted to £73,889, is necessary to enable the charity to continue to operate during those periods when donation income significantly decreases. These represent free reserves that will enable the charity to continue into 2024/25 as it explores possibilities for securing funding for the future.

GOING CONCERN

The ability of the charity to continue as a going concern is dependent upon securing new sources of funding. Applications have been made to Trusts and Government Departments. The outcome of these is awaited. If new funding is not secured it may be possible to continue to operate at a significantly reduced level of activity.

COVID 19

INFORM is in conversation with King’s College about the payment of rent during the period when there was not access to the office. Although a provision has been made for rent payable during this period, the Trustees are of the opinion that rent will not be payable.

RISK

The trustees review the risks that the charity is exposed to on an ongoing basis and take steps to mitigate those risks as appropriate.

Page 5

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

(CONTINUED)

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Work will continue on Inform’s database, publications, and website, which will enable more of Inform’s material to become publicly available. Further events will be held both online and offline. We hope to publish further books in the series ‘Religion at the Boundaries’ with Bloomsbury in the next year.

Inform will continue to take an active role in appropriate networks such as the British Sociological Association’s Study of Religion Study Group, the British Association for the Study of Religion, the Religious Education Council and the Faith and Belief Policy Collective.

There will be a continued focus on exploring ways of co-operating with the Theology and Religious Studies Department at Kings College, London, in whose building Inform’s office is based. These conversations will include discussion about the basis on which the office is occupied as well as exploring the potential of joint fundraising and research projects.

Fundraising work will continue towards finding solutions for both short-term viability and long-term sustainability.

Inform will maintain its commitment to its principal objective of preventing harm based on misinformation about new and minority religious groups by providing information that is as reliable and up-to-date as possible. It welcomes receiving enquiries, information, and suggestions from all sources.

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty set out under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ in developing the objectives for the year and in planning activities.

Page 6

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS (CONTINUED)

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Directors and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, Knox Cropper LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

APPROVAL

This report was approved by the Board of Directors and Trustees on 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Name: KIM KNOTT

Signature:_____

Page 7

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. 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 financial statements:

Basis of 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 financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 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.

Material uncertainty related to going concern

We draw attention to note 19 in the financial statements which indicates that the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon regularly securing new sources of funding. If new sources of funding are not secured then it may still be possible to continue to operate at a significantly reduced level of activity. The conditions indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Page 8

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 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 5, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 9

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 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 financial statements.

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:

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

Use of the audit report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and 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 charitable company, the charitable company’s members as a body and the charitable company’s trustees as a body for our audit work, for this report or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Billinghurst FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Knox Cropper LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2 AD

Date: 2024

Page 10

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Notes
INCOME FROM
Grants and Donations
2
Charitable activities
Investment Income
Other income
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
3
Charitable activities
4
TOTAL
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
FUND BALANCE BROUGHT
FORWARD21
FUND BALANCES CARRIED
FORWARD
£
Unrestricted
Funds
114,242
1,285
2,161
3,105
120,793
5,498
98,972
104,470
16,323
-
16,323
57,566
73,889
£
Restricted
Funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
£
Total
2024
114,242
1,285
2,161
3,105
120,793
5,498
98,972
104,470
16,323
-
16,323
57,566
73,889
£
Total
2023
31,022
1,124
516
790
33,452
3,061
55,101
58,162
(24,710)
-
(24,710)
82,276
57,566

None of the Company's activities were acquired or discontinued during the financial period.

Page 11

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
7
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
8
Debtors
9
Cash at Bank and on Deposit
10
CREDITORS:Amounts falling due
within one year
11
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Represented by
RESERVES
Restricted Reserve
12
Unrestricted Reserve
13
----- 31st March 2024 -----
£
£
-
378
23,587
104,240
128,205
(54,316)

73,889
73,889
-
73,889
73,889
--- 31st March 2023---
£
£
-
378
18,467
79,221
98,066
(40,500)
57,566
57,566
-
57,566
57,566
--- 31st March 2023---
£
£
-
378
18,467
79,221
98,066
(40,500)
57,566
57,566
-
57,566
57,566
57,566
-
57,566
57,566

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102.

The financial statements were approved by the Directors on 2024:

Name: KIM KNOTT

Signature:


Name: EDWARD GRAHAM-HYDE

Signature:


Registered Company Number: 02346855

Page 12

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. GRANTS AND DONATIONS

CPNI/NPSA
CenSAMM/Panacea
Other projects
Others
2024
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
103,721
-
-
-
9,863
658
-
114,242
-
2023
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
30,591
-
50
-
-
381
-
31,022
-
2023
Unrestricted
£
Restricted
£
30,591
-
50
-
-
381
-
31,022
-
-

Page 13

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

3.
RAISING FUNDS:
Fundraising and Publicity: Direct Costs
Support Costs
4.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Helpline
Research
Conferences, Seminars & Publications
2024
2023
£
£
5,021
2,721
477
340
5,498
3,061
------------------ 2024--------------
2023
Direct
Costs
Support
Costs
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
10,044
953
10,997
6,122
70,302
6,675
76,978
42,857
10,044
953
10,997
6,122
2024
2023
£
£
5,021
2,721
477
340
5,498
3,061
90,391
8,581
98,972
55,101
Governance costs included in Support
Costs comprise:
Trustees expenses
Audit fee
5.
SUPPORT COSTS
Salaries
Rent and Rates
Office Costs
Other Costs
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
3,816
3,740
3,816
3,740
2024
2023
£
£
3,829
1,625
713
709
-
97
4,516
4,031
9,058
6,462

Support costs are allocated to Fundraising and Publicity and Charitable Activities based on staff time.

Page 14

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

6. INFORMATION REGARDING EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

The average number of employees during the year was:
Direct Charitable
Management and Administration
Staff Costs comprise:
Wages and Salaries
Social Security
Pension Costs
2024
No.
4
1
5
£
63,164
5,245
8,180
76,589
2023
No.
3
1
4
£
27,435
1,390
3,396
32,221

No employee earned greater than £60,000 per annum (2023: none).

The total employee benefits paid to key management personnel during the year amounted to £23,783. (2023: £17,710).

No Director received any remuneration from the Company during the year. No expenses were reimbursed to Directors during the year (2023: none).

7. FIXED ASSETS

Cost:
At 1stApril 2023
Additions
Written Off
At 31stMarch 2024
Depreciation:
At 1stApril 2023
Charge for the period
Written Off
At 31stMarch 2024
Net Book Value:
31stMarch 2024
31stMarch 2023
Equipment
£
11,158
-
-
11,158
11,158
-
-
11,158
-
-

Page 15

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

2024
£
378
406
23,181
23,587
33,347
70,893
104,240
3,816
50,500
54,316
Transfers
£

-

-
2023
£
378
412
18,055
18,467
31,829
47,317
79,146
3,500
37,000
40,500
£-
-
-

-
Balance
31/03/22
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
Transfers
£
-
-

Page 16

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

13. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

General reserves Balance as
restated
31/03/22
Net
Incoming/
(Outgoing)
Resources
Transfers
Balance
31/03/23
£
£
£
£
57,566
16,323
-
73,889

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS COMPARATIVE 2023

General reserves Balance as
restated
31/03/22
Net
Incoming/
(Outgoing)
Resources
Transfers
Balance
31/03/23
£
£
£
£
82,276
(24,710)
-
57,566

14. TAXATION

As a registered Charity, Inform is entitled to the exemptions from taxation in respect of Income and Capital Gains to the extent that such income and capital gains are applied for charitable purposes.

15. LIBRARY AND ELECTRONIC DATABASE

The Charity holds an extensive collection of information on minority religions, new religious movements and alternative spirituality in the world, which is held to facilitate research. These assets have not been valued or included in the Balance Sheet.

16. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASE

The company has a one year contract on its premises at a cost of £11,500 with a three months break clause. During the period of COVID 19 there was no access to the office and King’s has not sought the payment for rent. Discussions are taking place with King’s College about arrangements for the future.

Page 17

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Tangible Fixed Assets
Net Current Assets
Unrestricted
£
-
73,889
73,889
Restricted
£
-
-
-
Total
£
-
73,889
73,889
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
COMPARATIVE 2023
Tangible Fixed Assets
Net Current Assets
Unrestricted
£
-
57,566
57,566
Restricted
£
-
-
-
Total
£
-
57,566
57,566

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions in the year.

19. GOING CONCERN

The ability of the charity to continue as a going concern is dependent upon regularly securing new sources of funding. Numerous applications have been made to Trusts and Government Departments. The outcome of those is awaited. If new funding is not secured it may be possible to continue to operate at a significantly reduced level of activity.

Page 18

INFORMATION NETWORK FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

20. COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AS REQUIRED BY FRS 102

INCOME FROM
Grants and donations
Charitable activities
Investments
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Balance brought forward
Balance carried forward
Unrestricted Funds
£
31,022
1,124
516
790
33,452
3,061
55,101
58,162
(24,710)
-
(24,710)
82,276
57,566
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
2023
£
31,022
1,124
516
790
33,452
3,061
55,101
58,162
(24,710)
-
(24,710)
82,276
57,566