The Trustees present their annual Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The Charity’s objects are the following:
to promote the benefits of the inhabitants of the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane and, in particular, but not exclusively, the members of the Irish Community defined by the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane (herein called "the area of benefit").
to establish or secure the establishment of a Community Centre and manage and maintain the same.
to promote other such charitable objectives as may be determined from time to time.
The Charity is a public benefit entity.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
Our main activities have been to promote the Irish Community and to continue the management of the Community Centre. By associating with said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations, the Charity continues to advance education and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time pursuits for the benefit of the inhabitants. During the year the Charity continues to support other local charities by providing free accommodation and use of the Charity’s services.
The Charity continues benefit from the refurbishment of the Irish Centre. This has led to improvements in lettings, room hire as well increased bar sales for the Trading Company. A review of the total activities has determined that the Trading Company will account for all activities with the exception of fundraising events held in the name of the Charity. The Charity made a deficit of £74,851 reduced to £23,385 with gift aid received from the trading Company of £51,466. A final gift aid declaration of £29,719 is to be made by the Trading Company. The Trading Company made a surplus before taxation of £54,720 [2024: £55,941]. During the year it gift aided to the Charity at total of £50,942 [2024: £44,213] being £25,000 [2024: £30,000] in respect of the current year and £25,942 [2024: £14,213] in respect of the prior year.
The Charity reserves at the year-end have reduced by £23,385 to £148,264. These reserves are unrestricted but the Trustees have designated £117,916 [2024: £141,013] of these funds towards the net book value of assets purchased through grant income.
It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
The Charity’s aim to build up general reserves to help ensure continuity of services, by providing for a period of twelve months’ cover of wages and salaries and general running costs.
The reserves of the Charity are £148,264 [2024: £171,469] of which £117,914 [2024: £141,013] is designated. The remaining unrestricted reserves of £30,350 [last year: £30,636] represents approximately four and a half months’ cover [2024: 3 ¾ months].
It continues to be the primary focus of the Society to engage with local residents, local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in bringing them together to provide education and facilities for entertainment for the benefit of the local people. The Society will further the development of a higher profile through the use of appropriate media. This will encourage both the local and wider community use of the Centre.
The established pre-school provision, health activities and popular senior citizens’ ‘Golden Oldies’ days are very much appreciated by the community and are ideal springboards for the expansion of other innovations which will benefit the local and wider community.
Plans are currently in progress for the development of a wide balcony area towards the back of the building providing a panoramic view which can be enjoyed, particularly throughout the summer months. This provision should encourage increased footfall and promote greater use of the Centre.
The Charity was founded in 1970 after informal discussions by a group of people resident in the Basingstoke and Deane area. Initially aimed to foster social and sporting activities but expanded over the years into cultural and educational activities for the Irish community residing within the town and surrounding districts. In January, 1990 the Society adopted The Constitution of the Irish Society and Rules of the Irish Centre. The Society was incorporated as a charitable company, limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, on 23 August, 2005 and registered as a charity on 18 November, 2005. 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. This document replaced the original constitution.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
As set out in the Articles of Association, the Management Committee shall consist of not less than three, unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution and not subject to any maximum number of members. One third of members stand down from office at the Annual General Meeting, but are eligible for re-election for the forthcoming year. The members to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in their office since their last appointment.None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the Company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of a winding up.
The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees and the chair of the sub-committee has delegated powers to make financial decisions on behalf of the Management Committee should a decision be required quickly and outside of the timescales of the Management Committee meetings. This sub-committee meets as and when required.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Basingstoke Irish Society for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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 Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity 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 Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Basingstoke Irish Society (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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 financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Basingstoke Irish Society is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Irish Centre, Council Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 3DH, England.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Designated funds have been set aside to represent the remaining net book value of capital assets that were financed through government grants.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Income received from the wholly owned subsidiary for recharges of staff and support costs is show as a reduction of that expenditure as this is considered to give a better understanding of the accounts of the Charity.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The employment costs are shown gross of any recharges.
Basingstoke Irish Society is a charity within the meaning of the Charities Act 2011 and as such is a charity within the meaning of Part 11, Corporation Tax Act 2010. Accordingly, the Charity, which is a registered with the Charity Commission, is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or gains received within Part 11, Corporation Tax Act 2010 Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to its charitable purposes. During the year its income and chargeable gains were applicable and only applied for charitable purposes. The Charity is also registered with HMRC for Corporation tax and gift aid purposes.
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund operated through the National Employment Savings Scheme.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The Charity's wholly owned subsidiary, Basingstoke Irish Society Trading Co Limited operates a licensed bar from the Charity's premises. It also uses the premises to help fulfill the Charity's aims of providing a Community Centre by managing the Centre on the Charity's behalf.
Employees are employed through the Charity and the upkeep of the premises is funded by the Charity.
The Charity however charges the trading Company for the operating costs of the premises including provision of staff by apportionment on an equitable and commercial basis. The terms are set out in the agreement dated 1 August, 2014. In accordance with that agreement the amounts may be varied under exceptional circumstances.
During the year the subsidiary will pay a sum equivalent to its taxable profit by way of gift aid (dividend distribution) to the Charity. It may make an interim payment for the year and then any final payment is made within nine months of the year end to which it relates. This ensures the Trading Company is able to use the dividend payment as an eligible deduction for corporation tax purposes.
These financial statements are the individual Charity financial statements for the period.
Details of the Charity's subsidiaries at 31 December 2025 are as follows:
The Charity had no material debt during the year.