OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Company Registration Number:
16236970 (England and Wales)

Unaudited statutory accounts for the year ended 28 February 2026

Period of accounts

Start date: 7 February 2025

End date: 28 February 2026

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 28 February 2026

Directors report
Profit and loss
Balance sheet
Additional notes
Balance sheet notes
Community Interest Report

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Directors' report period ended 28 February 2026

The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period ended 28 February 2026

Principal activities of the company

The company's principal activity during the year continued to providing regular online debating sessions for Open University Students.



Directors

The director shown below has held office during the whole of the period from
7 February 2025 to 28 February 2026

Jason Cooper Brown


The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006

This report was approved by the board of directors on
11 September 2026

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Jason Cooper Brown
Status: Director

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Profit And Loss Account

for the Period Ended 28 February 2026

13 months to 28 February 2026


£
Turnover: 67
Gross profit(or loss): 67
Administrative expenses: ( 1,507 )
Operating profit(or loss): (1,440)
Profit(or loss) before tax: (1,440)
Profit(or loss) for the financial year: (1,440)

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Balance sheet

As at 28 February 2026

Notes 13 months to 28 February 2026


£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand: 387
Total current assets: 387
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: 3 ( 1,826 )
Net current assets (liabilities): (1,439)
Total assets less current liabilities: (1,439)
Total net assets (liabilities): (1,439)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital: 1
Profit and loss account: (1,440 )
Total Shareholders' funds: ( 1,439 )

The notes form part of these financial statements

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Balance sheet statements

For the year ending 28 February 2026 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 11 September 2026
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Jason Cooper Brown
Status: Director

The notes form part of these financial statements

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 28 February 2026

  • 1. Accounting policies

    Basis of measurement and preparation

    These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of Financial Reporting Standard 102

    Turnover policy

    Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Turnover includes revenue earned from the sale of goods and from the rendering of services. Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer. Turnover from the rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract. The stage of completion of a contract is measured by comparing the costs incurred for work performed to date to the total estimated contract costs.

    Other accounting policies

    Creditors Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 28 February 2026

  • 2. Employees

    13 months to 28 February 2026
    Average number of employees during the period 0

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Period Ended 28 February 2026

3. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year note

13 months to 28 February 2026
£
Accruals and deferred income 497
Other creditors 1,329
Total 1,826

COMMUNITY INTEREST ANNUAL REPORT

OPEN DEBATE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

Company Number: 16236970 (England and Wales)

Year Ending: 28 February 2026

Company activities and impact

During the period ending 28 February 2026, the Open University Debate Club provided regular online debating sessions for Open University students. Sessions welcomed people with different levels of experience and offered opportunities to practise public speaking, develop clear arguments and respond thoughtfully to other viewpoints. Online delivery enabled students in different locations to participate without travelling to a shared venue. [OU Students Association event listing](https://www.oustudents.com/ents/event/2529/) Activities included researching topics, examining evidence, preparing arguments for and against a position, and taking part in structured debates. Members could contribute as speakers, audience members or chairs. Audience participation included listening, asking questions and seeking clarification, while chairing provided experience of managing discussions and keeping speakers to time. A code of conduct supported respectful participation. [The Hoot’s February 2025 account](https://thehootstudents.com/ou-debateclub-a-place-to-air-opinions/) The club’s community benefit lay in providing a shared space for students to learn, practise and engage with one another. Participants had opportunities to build confidence in expressing their views, strengthen their reasoning and develop communication skills relevant to study, employment and everyday life. Considering opposing arguments encouraged members to examine assumptions and engage constructively with disagreement. The range of participation roles also allowed students to become involved without immediately delivering a speech. For a community of distance learners, these activities provided opportunities for social contact and collaborative learning alongside individual study.

Consultation with stakeholders

The company’s principal stakeholders were the people participating in and benefiting from its debating activities, particularly Open University students, together with the volunteers supporting their delivery. During the period ending 28 February 2026, members were consulted informally through the Open University Debate Club’s Facebook group and WhatsApp group about the club’s direction, its public benefit, and its mission statement. Members were also asked whether they considered the club to be delivering value. The feedback received helped the organisers assess the club’s purpose, public benefit, and effectiveness, and informed their ongoing approach to delivering activities that reflected members’ interests and provided value to the wider community.

Directors' remuneration

No remuneration was received

Transfer of assets

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration

This report was approved by the board of directors on
11 September 2026

And signed on behalf of the board by:
Name: Jason Cooper Brown
Status: Director