2025-08-31-accounts - Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

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OBSERVATORY FOR SPORT IN SCOTLAND (OSS)

REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CHARITY NUMBER: SC046823

Henderson Black & Co

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, ST ANDREWS

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Contents of the Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Pages

Trustees’ Report

1-4

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees

Statement of Receipts and Payments

Statement of Balances

Notes to the Accounts

8-9

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Trustees’ Report

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS) is a “Think and Do” Tank. A registered charity (SCO46823), it is independent of government.

Charitable purposes

The charity's purposes are:

e The advancement of education, primarily, but not exclusively, by undertaking, commissioning or analysing research in order to produce data and analysis that can be widely disseminated to promote the wide range of community sport activity as a force for the improvement of all aspects of life. Potential benefits will be the positive impact on health and well-being, gender and race relations, education and social welfare, contributing to civic society and the wealth of the nation
e Based on its objective research and analysis the organisation will drive open, ongoing and transparent debate and decision-making aimed at improving sport opportunities across Scotland.

Context

The community sports backdrop to September 2024- August 2025 continued some concerning trends, not least more leisure facilities closed or planned for closure. There were many informal discussions around the OSS Board about the impacts of closures on users and volunteers. The Board was resolute, the need for the OSS was greater now than it had ever been.

Leadership

The OSS entered the financial year September 2024- August 2025 financially stable and focussed on finding a new Chair.

Having exhausted its own networks, the Board (of 10 Trustees) agreed professional help was required and following some investigation, FWB Executive Search Ltd was approached in October 2024. They provided a detailed proposal which the Board agreed to. The proposal was in three stages with the final fee only payable if the search was successful, something which the Board found reassuring.

The Board felt very much involved in the scoping of the search, contributing a lot to the search material. Several potential candidates were introduced to OSS and discussions held with them in November 2024. All brought something different and interesting to OSS’ future and the Board was very appreciative of the time and thought invested by each. The Board were unanimous in their support of becoming the Chair which, happily, he agreed to.

oo.Strategy up reins in the early part of 2025. An all day informal Board meeting held in April 2025 served as a strategy session (with external facilitation). Some significant decisions were set in train, not least a planned name change for the OSS to The Raeburn Institute, honouring the charity’s founder | | a: change is in hand but the technicalities are not yet finalised.

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Trustees’ Report

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The Board also wrestled with a strapline to support the name change, never an easy task! It settled on: [The Raeburn Institute] is Scotland’s independent advocate for sport, helping to deliver positive change which will support the building of sportier, healthier communities by turning evidence and research into action.

In this light the Board also considered the focus ofthe[Charity’s] work[ going][ forward.] Some[interesting][ideas] were put forward which the Board requested be scoped out in some more detail which is ongoing. The potential to launch new work and findings at a conference was discussed and supported. Again, more work to be done on this but it is in hand.

Future Funding

The OSS Funding model was also discussed. The focus over the last year has been the stabilisation of OSS and so seeking funding has not been at the forefront of its activities. With a more stable leadership and a clearer way forward the Board’s thoughts have turned to future funding.

Generally, it was thought unlikely any public funding would be forthcoming hence any future funding would come from HNW donors, Trusts and Foundations, and corporate sources. A strategy paper in this regard was to be drafted. It was also agreed at a time when funding was forthcoming there was a need to have stronger reserves policy.

Summary The Board is fully behind the need for the OSS, possibly now more than ever. It is also fully supportive of its new Chair and energised about the potential impact the OSS can make in the future. Work is underway to scope work which can deliver that impact as well as plans to secure funding in order to deliver it.

Financial review In the year ended 31 August 2025 there was a deficit of £11,831 (2024 — surplus of £16,214). Expenditure on charitable activities anounted to £12,371 (2024 - £1,891).

Reserves policy

The trustees’ policy is to hold reserves to meet normal running costs and known commitments for three to six months. At the year end, unrestricted reserves amounted to £6,339 (2024 — £18,170) less liabilities of £540 (2024 - £540). Restricted reserves amounted to fnil (2024 - £nil).

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Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution The charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a SCIO). It was registered on 31 August 2016. The charity comprises the Board of Trustees. The people serving on the Board are referred to as the charity trustees under the constitution.

Appointment of trustees The Board are the charity’s trustees and they meet five times per year. The Board may appoint new members by way of a resolution passed by a majority vote at a Board meeting. The maximum number of Board members is 12 with 4 required for a quorum.

Management

The Board is responsible for monitoring and controlling the financial position of the organisation.

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity name

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS) Charity number $C046823

c/o Henderson Black & Co, Chestney House, 149 Market Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9PF || Contact Address Independent Examiner —

The Co-operative Bank

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Trustees’ Report

For the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements, which they are responsible for preparing, comply with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the terms of the charity’s Constitution. The applicable law also sets out the responsibilities of the trustees for the preparation and content of the Annual Report.

a ) the trustees on 28 November 2025 and- on their behalf

(Trustee & Chair)

(Trustee & Secretary)

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

| report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 9.

Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) (“the 2006 Regulations”). The charity’s trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine and report on the accounts under section 44(1) (c) of the 2005 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

This report is made to the trustees, as a body, in accordance with the terms of my engagement. My work has been undertaken so that | might state to the trustees those matters | am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, | do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees for my work or for this report.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In the course of my examination no matter has come to my attention:-

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:° to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44 (1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations have not been met, or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Henderson Black & Co Chartered Accountants

149 Market Street St Andrews Fife, KY16 9PF

28 November 2025

Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Statement of Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 August 2025

Unrestricted General Fund Note £ Receipts Donations 6 540 Total receipts 540 Payments Cost of charitable activities 7 12,371 Total payments 12,371 (Deficit)/surplus for the year (11,831) Transfers between funds 8 - (Deficit)/surplus for the year (11,831)	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - -	Total Unrestricted Funds General 2025 Fund £ £ 540 10,605 540 10,605 12,371 1,891 12,371 1,891 (11,831) 8,714 - 9,500 (11,831) 18,214	Restricted Funds £ 7,500 7,500 - - 7,500 (9,500) (2,000)	Total Funds 2024 £ 18,105
				18,105
				1,891
				1,891
				16,214 -
				16,214

The notes on page 8 and 9 form an integral part of these accounts.

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Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Statement of Balances as at 31 August 2025

Unrestricted General Fund £ Opening cash at bank and in hand 18,170 (Deficit)/surplus for the year (11,831) Closing cash at bank and in hand 6,339 Bank and Cash Balances Bank accounts 6,339 6,339 Liabilities Independent examiner's fee 540 540	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - -	Unrestricted Total General 2025 Fund £ £ 18,170 (44) (11,831) 18,214 6,339 18,170 6,339 18,170 6,339 18,170 540 540 540 540	Restricted Funds £ 2,000 (2,000) - - - - -	Total 2024 £ 1,956 16,214
				18,170
				18,170
				18,170
				540
				540

The notes on page 8 and 9 form an integral part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 28 November 2025.

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Trustee Trustee

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Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 August 2025

1 Principal Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of Accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

1.2 Nature and purpose of funds

Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain an unrestricted general fund for the day-to-day running of the charity.

Restricted funds relate to grants received for a specific purpose.

2 Related party transactions

During the year, a total of £nil (2024 - £nil) was donated to the charity by the trustees.

3 Trustees' remuneration

No remuneration was paid in the year (2024 - nil).

4 Control

Control of the charity lies in the hands of the trustees.

5 Donated services and facilities

The value of work done by trustees in giving of their time for meetings and other matters on behalf of the charity is not reflected in the accounts as it cannot be quantified.

6 Donations

Unrestricted Funds Trusts and Foundations - Research - Individuals 540 540	Restricted Funds - - - -	Total 2025 - - 540 540	Unrestricted Funds 10,000 - 605 10,605	Restricted Funds - 7,500 - 7,500	Total 2024 10,000 7,500 605
					18,105

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Observatory for Sport in Scotland (OSS)

Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 August 2025

7 Cost of charitable activities

Cost of charitable activities
Unrestricted Funds Recruitment costs 11,400 IT software and consumables 325 Bank charges - Advertising 10 Accountancy and payroll services - Independent examination fee 468 Insurance 168 12,371	Restricted Funds - - - - - - - -	Total 2025 11,400 325 - 10 - 468 168 12,371	Unrestricted Funds - - 30 200 432 540 689 1,891	Restricted Funds - - - - - - - -	Total 2024 - - 30 200 432 540 689
					1,891

8 Restricted Funds 2025

The restricted fund balances were all utilised in the previous year.

Restricted Funds 2024

Restricted Funds 2024
Children's Sport Activity South Ayrshire Golf	At 31 August 2023 - 2,000 2,000	Income 7,500 - 7,500	Expenditure - - -	Transfer to Unrestricted (7,500) (2,000) (9,500)	At 31 August 2024 - -
					-

Purpose of restricted funds

Children's Sport Activity: Grant received from University of Edinburgh. Following the departure of staff members in the previous year the remaining work to complete this project was carried out by researchers on a pro bono basis, with the balance of funds transferring to unrestricted.

South Ayrshire Golf: Grant received in March 2022 from the Tam O'Shanter Trust and in August 2022 from the R&A for a research project. Following the completion of the project the remaining balance was transferred to unrestricted funds to account for an under allocation of staff costs in the previous year.

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