REGISTERED NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
FOR |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
REGISTERED NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
FOR |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
Page |
Company Information | 1 |
Report of the Directors | 2 |
Report of the Independent Auditors | 4 |
Profit and Loss Account | 7 |
Balance Sheet | 8 |
Statement of Changes in Equity | 9 |
Cash Flow Statement | 10 |
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 11 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
COMPANY INFORMATION |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
DIRECTORS: |
SECRETARY: |
REGISTERED OFFICE: |
REGISTERED NUMBER: |
AUDITORS: |
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors |
115c Milton Road |
Cambridge |
CB4 1XE |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 2023. |
DIRECTORS |
The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 January 2023 to the date of this report. |
Other changes in directors holding office are as follows: |
The company is limited by guarantee, each member undertaking to contribute £1 in the event of the company being wound up. |
None of the non-executive directors are remunerated. |
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES |
The directors are responsible for preparing the Report of the Directors and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. |
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the surplus or deficit of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: |
- | select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; |
- | make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; |
- | prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. |
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. |
STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS |
So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. |
AUDITORS |
The auditors, Prentis & Co LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
Opinion |
We have audited the financial statements of Campaign for Freedom of Information (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Cash Flow Statement, 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: |
- | give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2023 and of its surplus for the year then ended; |
- | have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and |
- | have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. |
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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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. |
Conclusions relating to going concern |
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 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 company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. |
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. |
Other information |
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information in the Report of the Directors, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors thereon. |
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. |
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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. |
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 |
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: |
- | the information given in the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and |
- | the Report of the Directors has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. |
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
Matters on which we are required to report by exception |
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Directors. |
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: |
- | adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or |
- | the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or |
- | certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or |
- | we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or |
- | the directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Directors. |
Responsibilities of directors |
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page two, the directors 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 directors determine 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 directors are responsible for assessing the 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 directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. |
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION |
Auditors' 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 a Report of the Auditors 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. |
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: |
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities including fraud rests with both the management and those charged with governance of the company. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. |
We have considered the nature of the industry and sector, control environment, laws and regulations and business performance of the company. Laws and regulations considered included, but were not limited to, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 and UK taxation legislation. |
During our planning procedures, we have enquired with the management in regards to their own assessment of the risks of irregularities, including fraud. We also enquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations. |
We obtained relevant documentation and representations in order to form an opinion on potential irregularities, including fraud. |
We considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud. |
Based on this understanding, we designed specific audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required. Examples of procedures included reviewing large and unusual transactions, reviewing large and unexpected variances, reviewing journal entries and reviewing relevant legal correspondence. |
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above, not least as sampling is used under International Auditing Standards, therefore not all transactions are reviewed. Therefore there is a risk we will not detect all irregularities including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulations. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is also higher than the risk of not detecting one from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, collusion, omission or intentional misrepresentation. |
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 Report of the Auditors. |
Use of our report |
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, 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 company's members those matters we are required to state to them in a Report of the Auditors and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. |
for and on behalf of |
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors |
115c Milton Road |
Cambridge |
CB4 1XE |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Notes | £ | £ |
INCOME |
Administrative expenses |
OPERATING SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) | 4 | ( |
) |
Interest receivable and similar income |
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) BEFORE TAXATION |
( |
) |
Tax on surplus/(deficit) |
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR |
( |
) |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 DECEMBER 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 6 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 7 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 8 |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
RESERVES |
Income and expenditure account |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
Retained | Total |
earnings | equity |
£ | £ |
Balance at 1 January 2022 |
Changes in equity |
Total comprehensive income | ( |
) | ( |
) |
Balance at 31 December 2022 |
Changes in equity |
Total comprehensive income |
Balance at 31 December 2023 |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
2023 | 2022 |
Notes | £ | £ |
Cash flows from operating activities |
Cash generated from operations | 1 | ( |
) |
Net cash from operating activities | ( |
) |
Cash flows from investing activities |
Interest received |
Net cash from investing activities |
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | ( |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
2 |
33,466 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 2 | 32,003 | 16,017 |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
1. | RECONCILIATION OF SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) BEFORE TAXATION TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Surplus/(deficit) before taxation | ( |
) |
Depreciation charges |
Finance income | (13 | ) | (2 | ) |
14,829 | (14,853 | ) |
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other debtors | ( |
) |
Decrease in trade and other creditors | ( |
) | ( |
) |
Cash generated from operations | ( |
) |
2. | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
The amounts disclosed on the Cash Flow Statement in respect of cash and cash equivalents are in respect of these Balance Sheet amounts: |
Year ended 31 December 2023 |
31.12.23 | 1.1.23 |
£ | £ |
Cash and cash equivalents | 32,003 | 16,017 |
Year ended 31 December 2022 |
31.12.22 | 1.1.22 |
£ | £ |
Cash and cash equivalents | 16,017 | 33,466 |
3. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
At 1.1.23 | Cash flow | At 31.12.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Net cash |
Cash at bank | 16,017 | 15,986 | 32,003 |
16,017 | 32,003 |
Total | 16,017 | 15,986 | 32,003 |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
Campaign for Freedom of Information is a |
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements have also been prepared on a going concern basis. The company depends largely on grant income to cover its costs. Some funding has been secured for a period in excess of 12 months from the date these financial statements have been signed and the directors have plans in place to raise income from alternative sources should grant funding from traditional sources be limited. There is no certainty in the medium term regarding grant funding or its source. |
The company also relies on course income and donations to covers its costs and these sources also fluctuate producing a degree of uncertainty. The directors have a policy of creating sufficient reserves as a buffer against future shortfalls in income. |
Income |
Income represents grants receivable, donations received and fees charged. Donations from supporting/observing organisations are accounted for in the year of receipt. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Office equipment | - |
The company operates a policy of capitalising assets costing £150 or more. |
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the company's pension scheme are charged to profit or loss in the period to which they relate. |
3. | EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS |
The average number of employees during the year was |
4. | OPERATING SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) |
The operating surplus/(deficit) is stated after charging: |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets | 109 | 330 |
Auditors' remuneration | 2,946 | 2,730 |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
5. | MANAGEMENT THREAT IN RELATION TO NON-AUDIT SERVICES |
In common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our auditors to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities and assist with the preparation of the financial statements. |
6. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Office |
equipment |
£ |
COST |
At 1 January 2023 |
and 31 December 2023 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 January 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 31 December 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 December 2023 |
At 31 December 2022 |
7. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Other debtors |
8. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Social security and other taxes |
Other creditors |
Accruals and deferred income |
9. | FUNDS AVAILABLE ON LIQUIDATION |
The company is limited by guarantee. In the event of the company being wound up, each member undertakes to contribute up to £1. |
CAMPAIGN FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01781526) |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 |
10. | GRANT INCOME |
The following grant income was recognised in the financial statements: |
2023 | 2022 |
£ | £ |
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust - Restricted see note 11 | 48,750 | 40,000 |
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust - Restricted see note 11 | 40,000 | 12,500 |
Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Restricted | - | 20,000 |
Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust - Restricted | - | 10,000 |
88,750 | 82,500 |
11. | RESTRICTED FUNDS |
Income | Expenses | Balance c/fwd |
£ | £ | £ |
Restricted grants:- |
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust | 48,750 | 48,750 | - |
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust | 40,000 | 40,000 | - |
88,750 | 88,750 | - |
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust grant is provided to promote the effective operation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and related rights, to monitor new legislation affecting information rights and to provide training and support to those using FOIA. |
The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust grant is provided to promote robust enforcement of FOIA and develop the Campaign for Freedom of Information's capacity and resilience. It is not restricted to charitable purposes. |