Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Annual report and
financial statements
Year ended 31st December 2014
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Contents
______________________________________________________
Page
Trustees and administrative information
2
Committees and Functions
3
President’s Introduction and Review of 2014
4
Trustees’ Report
6
Financial Review by the Treasurer
11
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
14
Statement of Financial Activities
15
Balance Sheet
16
Notes to the Financial Statements
17
Independent Examiners’ Report
21
Biographies of Council members
22
Affiliated Societies
24
Partner Gardens
25
Page 1
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees and administrative information
_______________________________________________________
Patron
Mrs Helen Dillon
Trustees
Mr Robert Myerscough
Mrs Deirdre Ryan
Mr Brooke Johns FCA
Mr Bruce Sleeman
Ms Koraley Northen
Mrs Brenda Branigan
Mrs Jean van der Lee
Mr Ignatius O’Brien
Mr John Quin
Mrs Valerie Little
Mrs Ruth Findlater
President
Chairman of Council
Honorary Treasurer
Secretary
Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive
Non-executive
Principal office
Laurelmere Cottage, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin
14
RHSI Garden Russborough
Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow
Appointed 16 July 2014
Appointed 22 January 2015
Co-opted 16 July 2014
Co-opted November 2013
Bankers
Ulster Bank plc
Blessington, Co Wicklow
Allied Irish Banks plc
Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Legal advisers
O’Connell Brennan
Armitage House, 10 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2
Auditors
PGL, Chartered Accountants
Orchard House, Clonskeagh Square, Dublin 14
Charities Regulatory Authority Number
Page 2
20005986
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Committees and Functions
________________________________________________________
Finance & Governance Committee
Mr Robert Myerscough
Mr Brooke Johns
Mr John Quin
Mrs Deirdre Ryan
Communications Committe e
Mrs Peggy Masterson
Mrs Mary Hackett
Mrs Natalie McGettigan
Mrs Ena Ronayne
Mr Robert Myerscough
Garden Committee
Mrs Denise Gill
Mr Philip Holwey
Mr David Howell
Mrs Mary Lee
Mrs May Maguire
Mr John Quin
Mrs Cherry Sleeman
Mrs Daphne Whelan
Bi-centenary committee
Mrs Brenda Branigan
Mrs Shirley Cullen
Mrs Margaret Hill
Mrs Susan Loughnane
Mrs Heather Lovegrove
Mrs Jean van der Lee
Chair
House Committee
Mrs Muriel Fitzpatrick
Mrs Noreen Curran
Mrs Deirdre Ryan
Chair
Affiliated Societies Administrator
Mr Bruce Sleeman
Lectures Scheme Organiser
Mrs Emily O’Kane
Librarian
Mrs Natalie McGettigan
Events Committee
Mr Peter Harrison
Mrs Brenda Branigan
Mrs Valerie Little
Mrs Yvonne McCann
Mr Ignatius O’Brien
Mrs Mary Ronayne
Chair
Partner Gardens’ Co-ordinator
Mrs Frances MacDonald
Social Media
Mrs Ena Ronayne
The Journal Editor
Floral Arts Committee
Mrs Marie O’Leary
Mrs Marie Dodrill
Mrs Teresa Henry
Mrs Sheila Hurley
Mrs Angela Kelly
Mrs Marie Laird
Mrs Eileen McKenna.
Mrs Karen Robinson
Chair
Ms Helen Rock
Chair
The Journal Production Editor
Ms Koraley Northen
Webmaster
Ms Mary Hackett
Page 3
Chair
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
President’s Introduction and Review of 2014
________________________________________________________
In introducing this review of 2014 I need hardly draw your attention to the fact that this report is fuller
than anything you will have received in past years. The reasons for this are various, but principally
because the Charities Regulatory Authority, which began operating in October 2014, requires
transparency in our financial affairs, as well as changes in the way in which RHSI, as a registered
charity, is governed; accordingly, we have decided to adopt best practice in this respect.
I should like to draw your attention to the Treasurer’s Report, which provides a very full picture of
where we stand. As the Society sought to expand its role, in promoting horticulture in all its aspects
for public benefit, initially through the RHSI Garden Russborough project, it became increasingly
obvious to Council that we needed more financial controls and reporting, and that it would be
essential to recruit a qualified accountant as Honorary Treasurer. We were very fortunate that
Brooke Johns agreed to take on this role. Brooke’s experience, not only in the wider aspects of
management, but specifically in the horticultural industry and through working with charities, has
proven to be invaluable.
Council decided to appoint a finance and governance committee, to review the way in which the
society was run, and to manage our financial affairs more effectively. This committee has had a
considerable workload over the past six months or more, but the procedures which have been initiated
have helped us to start the process of changing from a society mainly focused on membership benefits
to an organisation devoted to sharing its members’ love and knowledge of gardening with a wider
public.
As part of this reorganisation, your Council decided it would be in the best interests of members to
change our legal status, from a society governed by a constitution with its roots in the 19th century, to
a company limited by guarantee, subject to the approval of members at an Extraordinary General
Meeting, to be held immediately after the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. Further details
of this proposal are set out in the Trustees’ Report.
There has been a tremendous surge of interest in gardening in recent years, particularly from younger
people, but it is disappointing to have to admit that your society failed to capture this potential. Much
of the work of the finance and governance committee has been devoted to formulating a business
strategy, recognising the society’s strengths and weaknesses, and creating a Road Map on which to
build our vision for the future.
It had become increasingly clear that insufficient attention had been given to generating income,
without which it is not possible for the society to carry out its objective of taking a leading role in
promoting horticulture throughout Ireland for public benefit. One of the main purposes of a charity is
to raise funds to carry out its work, and we have been extremely fortunate to have received a number
of very generous donations and sponsorships in the past year.
I have mentioned the RHSI Garden Russborough; currently this is our principal charitable work,
through the involvement of our expert members in providing leadership and instruction in a wide
range of gardening skills, both to our volunteer gardening team and to a wider public, through
specialised courses and demonstrations. The garden continues to be renovated, and through the
generous sponsorship of The Natural Remedy Company, based in Blessington, the planting of
hornbeam hedges for the four quarters of the southern half of the garden was completed. Sponsors
for the individual gardens in this newly-created area are now being sought.
Page 4
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
President’s Introduction and Review of 2014
________________________________________________________
With the move to Laurelmere Cottage an opportunity was created to provide a learning centre for
gardeners, both novice and experienced. The delayed hand-over of the premises meant that these
courses could not commence in the autumn of 2014 as planned, but early this year The Garden School
at RHSI was established, under the management of Ciarán Burke, running RHS courses, and a New
Beginnings outreach programme. The newly formed House Committee is charged with extending the
use our facilities.
Part of our strategy to reach a wider and younger audience has been to engage in the internet through
the social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, both of which attract a growing audience. In the
early part of 2014 a much needed revamp of our website was undertaken, facilitated through the very
generous sponsorship of one of our members. Further development of the website is ongoing, with
the assistance of our webmaster and the communications team.
For some time it had been accepted that the RHSI had become too Dublin focused. One of the steps
taken to remedy this has been the creation of the RHSI Partner Gardens scheme, which now
comprises some 23 gardens throughout the island of Ireland, as listed on page 25 of this report. We
are grateful for the generous participation of their owners in making this possible. The scheme
enables members to introduce their friends to some wonderful gardens, and to further their knowledge
of gardening. Further initiatives to reach the grass roots in horticulture are under consideration, to
roll out as soon as our resources permit.
Council has a broad vision for the future.
The RHSI can regain its pre-eminent position in
horticulture throughout the island of Ireland. Our reorganisation opens up great opportunities for
developing our role, but much greater financial resources are needed. Above all, we need to rapidly
increase our membership numbers, and with that to spread the love and knowledge of gardening to a
wider community.
It has been a long journey from 1816, in the Georgian era, to the twenty-first century, covering some
of the most turbulent times in the history of our beautiful island. Our Society has continued to exist
over these two centuries through the dedication and voluntary effort of generations of gardeners. Our
present council and committee members are no exception; we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for
the excellence of all that they make available to us, and to the wider public. It is a great privilege to
be your President in our two-hundredth year, working alongside such wonderful colleagues, whom I
take this opportunity to thank two-hundredfold on your behalf.
Robert S. Myerscough
President
11th June 2015
Page 5
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees’ Report
_______________________________________________________
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Society for the year ended 31 December 2014. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice
(SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in March 2005.
1
Trustees
The names of the trustees and certain administrative information are set out on page 2.
2
Objectives and activities
The Society was founded in 1816 and its objectives today are very similar to those set down
nearly 200 years ago :
i.
to promote the knowledge, skill and practice of horticulture and arboricuture in Ireland,
through the provision of courses, seminars, exhibitions and general public lectures for
educational purposes relating to all aspects of horticulture and arboriculture
ii.
to promote and encourage due regard for the environment in gardening practice.
The Society intends to increase its educational role, so that today’s young people may develop
an interest in gardening in its various aspects. Its intention is to develop facilities at RHSI
Garden Russborough for teaching volunteer gardeners, as funds permit.
The Society possesses an extensive library, which it plans to make more accessible to members,
and the public.
The Society held three lectures, four floral art demonstrations and one seminar during the year.
It also held day-tours to Lusk, Mount Congreve and Athlone and 4-day residential tours to Edinburgh and the Lothians and to Co Donegal, as well as a number of garden visits in the Dublin
area. It had a stand at Bloom in the Park and held a number of plant sales to raise funds. Its
magazine, The Journal, was published three times during the year.
It funded 26 lectures at affiliated societies and extended its Partner Gardens Scheme, which allows members free or reduced entrance to 23 gardens situated in each of the four provinces of
Ireland. Details of the affiliated societies are set out on page 24 and of the Partner Gardens on
page 25
Council has appointed a Finance and Governance Committee to review its activities and prepare a strategic plan and budget in order to ensure that its activities continue to relate to the
aims of the Society. The trustees confirm that they are conscious of the need to re-focus the
activities of the Society to ensure that there is a public benefit in all that it does.
Page 6
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees’ Report
_______________________________________________________
3
Governance and management
Governing document
The Society is an unincorporated body, the governing document being its Constitution, as
amended by special resolution dated 1 April 2013.
Trustees
The Constitution specifies that Council should consist of a President, a Secretary (honorary or
paid) an Honorary Treasurer and four ordinary members. In practice it has included representatives from each Committee and Specialist Group.
The President, a member of the Society nominated by Council, is elected annually at the Annual
General Meeting for a maximum term of 5 years. At the end of such term, the President must
retire and assumes the office of Past President and is an ex officio member of Council with full
rights.
The Secretary and Treasurer are elected annually by Council.
The ordinary members of Council, members of the Society nominated either by a resolution of
Council or by any two members of the Society, are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a
four year term.
Council may co-opt a member to fill a casual vacancy; such appointees must retire at the next
annual general meeting, but may be nominated by Council for re-election.
Council may appoint officials (honorary or paid) other than the President and constitute such
committees and specialist groups as it deems necessary upon such terms as it deems fit; each
committee and specialist group must nominate one person to serve on Council as an ordinary
member for a four year term.
It is the rôle of Council, which meets 10 times a year, to provide governance and oversight. It
has delegated direction of this function to a newly formed Finance and Governance Committee,
which has met 12 times over the past 9 months. and has brought forward proposals for change
and the re-focus of the Society which have been approved by Council. Mrs Deirdre Ryan is the
Chairman of Council.
Mr Bruce Sleeman was appointed Secretary of the Society on 22nd January 2015 and is a trustee ex officio.
There are no nominations for Council members this year as there are no vacancies. Short biographical details of members of Council are set out on pages 22 and 23.
Page 7
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees’ Report
_______________________________________________________
Mr Robert Myerscough, who has served 4 years as President has been nominated for a fifth and
final year.
Certain Council members give lectures for which they are remunerated. Details of such remuneration are show in note 15 on page 20 of the financial statements. Otherwise no trustee received any benefits.
Management
Currently the Society employs no managers; its management functions are performed by committees as set out on page 3 and by Mr Bruce Sleeman as Secretary and Administrator. Each
Committee co-opts additional members at its discretion for unspecified terms.
The major risks to which the Society is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.
Mr Brooke Johns, a Chartered Accountant, who works on a voluntary basis, is responsible for
the finance functions and advises Council on matters of governance.
Auditors
Mr Brendan Madigan resigned as auditor on 27 November 2014. Council appointed PGL
Chartered Accountants, to fill the casual vacancy. A resolution will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting to re-elect that firm for the period ending at the Annual General Meeting in 2016.
Conversion to a company limited by guarantee
Proposals will be put to an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members to be held immediately after the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to transfer all the Society’s activities,
assets and liabilities to a newly formed company limited by guarantee.
One of the reasons for this proposal is to protect the liability of members. As an unincorporated body, members could be held responsible on an unlimited basis for any debts and liabilities of the Society. Council has decided that it is desirable that members are protected from
any such liabilities. A limited company, with a governing document suitable for 2015 and a
board of directors elected by the members and having a range of experience in horticulture, the
strategic management of charities, marketing and finance which will enable it to take the Society into its third century with suitable vision and abilities, will also confer benefits in dealing
with banks and contractual issues.
As members of the new company – Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Limited – each
member’s liability will be limited to €1.
Page 8
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees’ Report
_______________________________________________________
4
Achievements and performance
In 2011 the Alfred Beit Foundation (ABF) granted the Society a 5 year licence (subsequently
extended to 25 years) to renovate the Victorian walled garden at Russborough House outside
Blessington, in Co Wicklow, a garden which originates from the Georgian period. RHSI volunteers commenced working there in October 2011, and have succeeded in taming the weed
growth and neglect which had developed since the time when the Beits had gardened actively.
The aim is to provide a garden which is accessible to as wide a range of people as possible and
to use the garden as a base to promote all that is best in Irish gardening. This provides focus
for the society as a charity. As Russborough House attracts a considerable number of visitors
per year, the project provides an opportunity for visitors to see and learn about best horticultural
methods, while preserving an historic space that has stood the test of time for more than 200
years, as indeed has the society.
Renovation of the garden has concentrated on the northern half of soft fruit and vegetables, together with a central herbaceous bed. Tree and wall fruit have been pruned back into shape
and production. Strong diggers with sharp spades have been particularly welcome as volunteers over these three years in a rigorous weeding programme to combat the neglected and
overgrown beds. An added feature has been the wild flower circle developed by the volunteers
which captivated visitors in 2014. This is backed by a sweet pea border, supported by new
posts to support the original Victorian trellis structure found here and patched for re-use, thus
demonstrating a spirit of respect for the past allied to a strong vision for the future.
A start has been made in setting the structure for the four formal gardens envisaged for the
southern half, up to then grazed by sheep. The hornbeam hedge planted in autumn 2014 is
growing well, water pipes have been laid, and the shape of the formal gardens is beginning to
emerge. The longer term restoration and renovation programme will include the reinstatement
of garden paths to their original layout and dimensions. The surrounding brick and stone walls
will be repaired using traditional techniques and materials. The architectural survey will inform planning and fund raising for best layout and design for buildings in the future, to combine respect for the past with a practical regard to practicality and costs, and a focus on modern
horticultural best practice and the educational and charitable focus of the garden.
The Society’s Partner Gardens scheme is co-ordinated by Mrs Frances MacDonald, herself the
owner with her husband Iain, of The Bay Garden in County Wexford. The scheme now
extends to twenty-three gardens located in the four provinces of Ireland. Members can avail of
free entry, or a reduced admission fee, through the generosity of the garden owners, who are
not remunerated by the RHSI. The gardens receive publicity through the Society’s website and
social media.
The Society has started to put in place computerised systems for handling its membership and
book-keeping functions, which should be fully operational by the third quarter of 2015.
Page 9
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Trustees’ Report
_______________________________________________________
Finally, Council is looking at how its charitable activities and the benefits it provides may be
extended to those sections of the public which have an interest in gardening, floral art, arboriculture or the protection of the environment.
5
Financial review
A financial review of the Society’s activities in 2014, its financial position at the end of the year
and of the outlook for 2015 are contained in the Honorary Treasurer’s review on pages 11 to
13.
This statement was approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and signed on its
behalf by :
Robert S Myerscough
Brooke Johns
President
Honorary Treasurer
Page 10
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Financial review by the Treasurer
_______________________________________________________
One of the most significant events in the Society’s 199 years’ history occurred in October 2014 with
the establishment of The Charities Regulatory Authority. In anticipation of being regulated, and especially of having to file accounts and other information, Council initiated a broad review of its operations.
1.
A number of things became apparent :
a) an unincorporated body is not a suitable organisational structure for a charity employing
staff and leasing premises; nor should the members be held responsible on an unlimited basis for the debts and liabilities of the Society
b) the auditor appointed at the last Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) is no longer a Registered
Auditor
c) subscription income has stagnated for the past five years with the result that expenses have
exceeded income
d) greater resources need to be devoted to attracting support from donors and sponsors
e) the Society’s governance, management and operations procedures need to be modernised
and upgraded
f) the Society’s reporting procedures need to be brought more in line with the transparency and
accountability of modern practice for charities
2.
Presentation of financial information
The financial statements on pages 15 to 20 which differ substantially from those of previous years, are
the result of Council adopting the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for
Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued by the UK Charity Commission in March 2005. It sets
out the recommended practice for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts to discharge
the charity trustees’ duty of public accountability and stewardship. Although not legally binding in
Ireland, it is regarded as ‘best practice’.
Income received for RHSI Garden Russborough is regarded as a ‘restricted fund’ and the balance
sheet has been adjusted to show the income and costs attributable to the restoration of that garden
since work began there in late 2011. Members will see that the Statement of Financial Activities on
page 15 presents the figures for 2014 in compliance with the SORP, but the figures for 2013 have not
been re-stated as the benefit was not thought to be commensurate with the time and cost of doing so.
The Floral Arts Group has operated under the banner of the Society, but until 2013 it had a different
accounting year and its own bank accounts. It is a popular and successful activity and as part of the
restructuring referred to above, it is being brought back into the Society as one of its mainstream activities.
3.
Income
Page 11
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Financial review by the Treasurer
_______________________________________________________
The Society's income for the year was €177,000, analysed as shown in the first chart on the next page
Further details are shown in the statement of financial activities for the year on page 15. One of the
most significant items in the Society’s finances is the trend of subscription income over the past five
years, as illustrated by the second chart below. It is a matter of concern that we are not seeing an increase in the number of members at a time of such interest in horticulture. Income in the General
Fund fell short of expenditure by €4,000.
Total income 2014
Subscription income 2010 - 2014
€24,818
€23,365
€25,653
€24,960
€23,163
Trading
36%
Voluntary
50%
Subscripti
ons
14%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
The Russborough Garden Fund, which was set up to restore a 1.3 hectares (3.25 acres) walled garden
at Russborough House in Co Wicklow is funded entirely by donations. Income credited to that fund,
which may be used only for expenditure in the Russborough garden, exceeded expenses in the year
under review by €2,000.
4.
Expenditure
Expenditure is not comparable with the previous
year, as explained above in paragraph 2, but this
chart explains how expenditure was incurred in
2014.
In an attempt to remedy the stagnant subscription income, resulting in part from the recession,
Council decided to recruit a Director of Development at the beginning of the year. This initiative was intended to build membership income,
and to generate funds from other sources. The
erosion of membership numbers was checked
but insufficient funding was obtained from other
sources. As a result, the appointment was terminated at the end of 2014.
Page 12
Resources expended 2014
Cost of
generating
funds
53%
Charitable
activities
28%
Governanc
e
19%
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Financial review by the Treasurer
_______________________________________________________
5.
Balance sheet
The amount of the General Fund at less than €10,000 is perilously close to being in deficit. The
Russborough Fund is looking reasonably healthy.
6.
Information systems
The information available to Council is not sufficient to show with any reliability why the figures for
2014 do not reflect the renaissance in horticulture and in gardening in particular, but we do know that
we recruited 149 new members in 2014 and lost 104.
Steps have been taken to introduce suitable information systems for book-keeping, payroll, membership records and budgeting. It is expected that by late summer these systems will be operational and
Council will be able to make decisions based on reliable information.
7.
Reserves
Council has considered the requirement to maintain sufficient reserves (i.e. that part of the Society’s
income funds which are freely available) to enable it to deliver its charitable objectives, but until it
has a clearer view of how it is going to achieve a satisfactory level of income it is unable to define
such a policy.
8.
Outlook
In this context Council is now aware of the scheme of tax relief under the Taxes Conslidation Act
1997 in respect of donations made to approved bodies, amended with effect from 1st January 2013
with the result that the Society should be able to claim a refund of about 45% of personal donations in
excess of €250 per donor per year. It has been considered prudent not to recognise such income until
it is actually received.
In 2014 Council decided to move the Society’s office from 2 rooms at Cabinteely House, which was
open for 12 hours a week, to more extensive accommodation at Laurelmere Cottage in Marlay Park.
The move was accomplished in February this year and the office is now open for 30 hours a week.
The expenses of the new office (principally rent, payroll and associated costs) are approximately
€20,000 greater than at Cabinteely House, but such provision as was made to generate the income to
fund these increased costs proved quite inadequate.
After a rigorous review of costs, Council has decided that it is necessary to reduce the number of
hours for which the Administrator is employed and to find other ways of reducing costs to ensure that
income in the general fund exceeds expenditure for the year.
Brooke Johns
Honorary Treasurer
11th
June
Page 13
2015
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities and
Declaration on unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2014
_______________________________________________________
General responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the report of the trustees and the financial statements in a ccordance with Irish law and regulations.
Irish company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements giving a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the society and the net movement of funds of the Society for each financial year.
Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with Irish
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (accounting standards issued by the Financial Reporting
Council and promulgated by Chartered Accountants Ireland and Irish law).
In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
●
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
●
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
●
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue in business
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper books of account that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society and to enable them to ensure that the financial
statements comply with Irish law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Society and hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Trustees' declaration on unaudited financial statements
In relation to the financial statements comprising the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance
Sheet, the Accounting Policies and the related notes, the trustees approve these financial statements
and confirm that they are responsible for them, including selecting the appropriate accounting policies, applying them consistently and making, on a reasonable and prudent basis, the judgements underlying them. They have been prepared on the going concern basis on the grounds that the Society
will continue in business.
The trustees confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the accounting records reflect all
the transactions of the Society for the period ended 31st December 2014.
Robert S Myerscough
Brooke Johns
President
Honorary Treasurer
Page 14
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Statement of financial activities including Income & Expenditure Account
for the year ended 31st December 2014
______________________________________________________________________________________
Note
General Restricted
fund
fund
€
€
2014
2013
Total
€
Total
€
Incoming resources
Voluntary income
3
70,559
22,162
92,721
3,000
Activities for generating funds
60,738
60,738
8,455
Members' subscriptions
23,216
23,216
24,960
121
121
131
Investment income
4
Russborough Garden (net income)
7,528
Total incoming resources
154,633
22,162
176,794
44,074
Resources expended
Cost of generating funds
5
90,876
0
90,876
0
Charitable activities
5
26,737
20,079
46,816
3,749
Governance costs
5
32,173
0
32,173
36,776
Total resources expended
149,786
20,079
169,865
40,525
Net movement in funds
4,846
2,083
6,929
3,549
16,783
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
20,332
20,332
Prior year adjustment
16,917
16,917
Inter-fund transfer
Total funds carried forward
14
(23,945)
23,945
0
18,150
26,028
44,178
20,332
There are no recognised gains or losses other than the net deficits for the above two financial periods.
The accompanying notes and policies form an integral part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and
signed on their behalf by :
Robert S Meryscough
President
Brooke Johns
Honorary Treasurer
Page 15
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Balance Sheets
31st December 2014
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash at banks
Creditors - amounts falling
due within 1 year
10
11
12
13
Total funds
140
50,994
17,529
68,663
14
14
10,786
0
18,177
18,177
140
50,994
35,706
86,840
435
0
28,137
28,572
(28,761)
(8,240)
58,081
20,332
(24,688)
0
18,177
(24,688)
26,028
44,178
€20,332
20,332
26,028
18,150
26,028
€26,028
€44,178
€20,332
18,150
€18,150
2013
€
Total
€
7,851
(28,761)
18,150
Total assets less current liabilities
Funds
Unrestricted income funds
Restricted income funds :
2,935
39,902
Net current assets
Creditors - amounts
falling due after 1 year
General Restricted
fund
fund
€
€
The Constitution requires that the Honorary Treasurer shall annually prepare accounts of all revenue and
expenditure of the Society and have such accounts duly audited and submit same to Council for approval
and to the Annual General Meeting for adoption. In previous years the accounts have not been audited
and as the Society is an unincorporated body, Council has appointed PGL, Chartered Accountants, to
undertake an independent examination of the accounts prepared by the Treasurer. Their report is set
out on page 21.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice in Ireland with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accompanying notes and policies form an integral part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and
signed on their behalf by :
Brooke Johns
Honorary Treasurer
Robert S Meryscough
President
Page 16
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Notes to the accounts
For the year ended 31st December 2014
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 Accounting policies
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance
with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005)
issued by The Charities Commission in the United Kingdom in March 2005, adopting the following
principal accounting policies :
b) Incoming resources
Subscription income represents income receivable from annual membership fees.
Voluntary income which provides core funding or is of a general nature is recognised when there is a
certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only
deferred where the donor specifies that the donation must only be used in future accounting periods
or has imposed conditions which must be met before the Society has an unconditional entitlement.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Donated services and facilities are included at values estimated by the donors.
c) Volunteers
No provision is made in these financial statements for the value of services provided by volunteers.
Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the Trustees' Report.
d) Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred.
e) Value added tax
Irrecoverable value added tax is charged against the category of expenditure on which it was
incurred.
f) Funds structure
The Society has one restricted income fund - the Russborough Garden fund - to account for funds
given for a specified purpose. Further details are shown in note 15.
g) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are depreciated to write them off over their expected useful lives by equal annual
instalments at the rate of 20% on cost
2 Legal status of the Society
The Society is an unincorporated body. Its governing document is its Constitution as amended in
April 2013. The liability of each member in the event of the dissolution of the Society is unlimited.
€
2014
€
2013
€
Unrestricted Restricted
40,205
9,027
30,354
4,390
0
8,745
Total
49,232
34,744
8,745
Total
3,000
0
0
92,721
3,000
€
3 Sources of voluntary income
Individuals
Donated services
Grants
70,559
Page 17
22,162
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Notes to the accounts, continued
For the year ended 31st December 2014
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
€
4 Investment income
Bank interest
€
121
General Restricted
fund
fund
€
€
2014
€
2013
€
121
131
Total
€
Total
€
5 Resources expended
Fund-raising costs
Tours
Events
Staff remuneration
Other
Charitable activities
Russborough Garden
Journal
Lectures
Other
Governance costs
Staff remuneration
Insurances
Office costs
Audit & accountancy
Depreciation of fixed assets
Subscriptions to other organisations
35,337
6,332
33,300
15,907
90,876
0
20,079
35,337
6,332
33,300
15,907
90,876
0
20,079
20,079
10,577
9,608
6,552
46,816
16,817
2,725
11,047
798
406
380
32,173
16,817
3,643
15,793
523
0
16,817
2,725
11,047
798
406
380
32,173
149,786
20,079
169,865
40,525
45,567
4,549
16,817
0
50,116
16,817
10,577
9,608
6,552
26,737
6 Analysis of staff costs
Salaries
Employer's pay related social insurance
Average number of staff employed during the year
Average number of full time equivalent employees
Number of employees with emoluments above €60,000
Page 18
2
1.3
0
3,749
3,749
36,776
1
0.3
0
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Notes to the accounts, continued
For the year ended 31st December 2014
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 Prior year adjustment
Fixed assets
Deferred income
Floral Arts
2014
€
2013
€
8,267
3,121
5,528
0
0
0
16,916
0
Fixed assets in prior years were being expensed in the Statement of Financial Activities; they have
been re-classified as capital items under Fixed Assets in the Balance Sheet.
Deferred income related to a lecture given by James Burnside in 2013, which should have been
included as income in that year.
The Floral Arts bank accounts were not treated as part of the Society's assets in previous years.
They have now been recognised as such.
8 Movement in total funds for the period
Depreciation
Auditors' remuneration
2,694
798
9 Taxation
As the Society is a registered charity no provision for taxation is considered necessary.
€
0
523
€
10 Tangible assets
Office
Garden
equipment equipment
Total
Cost
At 1st January 2014
Additions
At 31st December 2014
0
3,341
10,075
1,872
10,075
5,213
3,341
11,947
15,288
Depreciation
At 1st January 2014
Depreciation charge
At 31st December 2014
0
406
1,808
2,288
1,808
2,694
406
4,096
4,502
0
2,935
8,267
7,851
8,267
10,786
0
8,267
8,267
2,935
7,851
10,786
Net book value
At 1st January 2014
At 31st December 2014
Total net book values
At 1st January 2014
At 31st December 2014
Page 19
0
0
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Notes to the accounts, continued
For the year ended 31st December 2014
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11 Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments & sundry debtors
12 Creditors - amounts falling due within 1 year
Sundry creditors
Tax creditors
Accrued expenses
2014
€
2013
€
0
50,994
0
50,994
0
(0)
12,917
15,844
8,240
28,761
8,240
24,688
0
13 Creditors - amounts falling due within after year
Costs related to events to be held in
connection with the bi-centenary
celebrations in 2016.
14 Analysis of funds movements
Balance at beginning of period
Inter-fund transfer
Capitalisation of assets treated as
revenue expenditure in prior years
Prior year adjustments
Incoming resources
Resources expended
Balance at end of period
General Russborough
fund Garden fund
€
€
20,332
(23,945)
Total
€
0
23,945
20,332
0
8,267
8,650
13,304
154,633
(149,786)
23,945
22,162
(20,079)
8,267
8,650
37,249
176,795
(169,865)
18,150
26,028
44,178
Total
€
16,783
3,549
20,332
Income credited to the Russborough garden fund may be used only for expenditure at Russborough
garden.
15 Related party transactions
The Society paid one Trustee €400 for giving four lectures to Affiliated Societies.
16 Auditor and independent examiner
The external examiner was not paid for any other financial services than its external examination.
Page 20
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Royal horticultural Society
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2014, which are set out on
pages 15 to 20.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is
not required for this year under the Charities Act 2009 and that an independent examination is required.
PGL is satisfied that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is PGL’s responsibility to:
● examine the accounts under the Charities Act
● to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
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 seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is
limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
(1)
which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
● to keep accounting records in accordance with Irish law; and
● to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting
requirements and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
(2)
to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of
the accounts to be reached.
PGL
Chartered Accountants
Orchard House
Clonskeagh Square
Clonskeagh Road
Dublin 14
1th
June
Page 21
2015
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Biographies of Council members
_______________________________________________________
Robert S Myerscough, President and member of the finance & governance committee. A former
senior executive in the insurance industry, following which he practiced as a garden and landscape
consultant, he is also a member of the committee of the Irish Tree Society, and a recent member of the
tours committee of the International Dendrology Society.
Brooke Johns, FCA, Honorary Treasurer, and member of the finance & governance committee, is
a chartered accountant trained in the City of London. He has worked at a senior level in various industries in the UK and Ireland and further afield. He ran his own garden centre in the UK and now
works with a number of small companies and charities.
Deirdre Ryan, Chairman of Council, is a member of the finance & governance committee. Before
marriage, her career was in the fashion retail business. Deirdre holds a diploma as a floral arts demonstrator and as a teacher/tutor in floral art. She has held a wide variety of roles in RHSI
since1984, being a member of Council at various times over the past 20 years.
Brenda Branigan has been a Life Member of RHSI since the mid-1950s. She is a qualified NAFAS
flower arrangement demonstrator and served as secretary and chairman of the flower arrangement
group in the 1970s. She has been on the events committee for several years and been on Council
more recently.
Ruth Findlater is a member of the communications committee, since retiring from a professional
career in fundraising management for several Irish Charities, including Gorta and Arthritis Ireland,
followed by 19 years with the Irish Heart Foundation. She now also works as a volunteer with the
National Gallery of Ireland. She holds a diploma in business studies.
Valerie Little has been a member of RHSI for over 30 years. She served on the floral art committee
in the 1980s and has been a member of the events committee since 2012. She holds a diploma as a
teacher/tutor in floral art. Valerie is a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Dublin and has held several positions on the committee.
Jean van der Lee is serving her second term as member of Council. She is the founder and national
commissioner of Beaver Scouts, Scouts Association of Ireland. Jean has been a member of the Dun
Laoghaire Choral Society for 25 years, and served as its chairman from 2009 to 2012. She was
chairman of the RHSI events committee from 2008 to 2014.
Page 22
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Biographies of Council members
_______________________________________________________
Koraley Northen has been a member of RHSI for the past 20 years. During 12 of those years she
was administrator at the Garden & Landscape Designers Association. She has served on the RHSI
Council for the past seven years, during which time she acted in a general capacity and was also production editor of the RHSI’s Journal.
Ignatius O’Brien was a Physical Education teacher for more than 35 years. He has been a member
of Council since 2007, and has served during that time on the show committee. He has been chairman of St Brigid’s Horticultural Society for the past ten years, and is currently joint-chairman of
Clontarf Garden Society.
John Quin is a member of the finance & governance committee and a member of the RHSI Russborough Garden team. He was principal social worker in Dublin for 21 years, and manager of child &
family services for Wicklow with HSE over 12 years. He holds an honours degree in French & German, as well as a masters and professional qualification in social work. This is his third term as a
member of council of RHSI.
Bruce Sleeman, is Administrator and Secretary of RHSI, is responsible for development, and runs the
office at Laurelmere Cottage. He has a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, and is currently studying for a
Masters in Psychotherapy. His previous business experience was gained in the financial services industry.
Page 23
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Affiliated Societies
_______________________________________________________
Ardfield/Rathbarry Garden Club
Killinick & District Garden Club
Balbriggan & District Horticultural Society
Kilternan Garden Club
Ballincollig Flower & Garden Club
Limerick Flower And Garden Club
Ballinrobe Garden Club
Limerick Garden Plants Group
Bray Flower Club
Longford Flower Club
Cameron Horticultural Society
Malahide Horticultural Society
Castleblayney Garden Club
Maynooth Flower & Garden Club
Clonmel & District Horticultural Society
Mullingar & District Garden Club
Clontarf Garden Society
Naas Flower & Garden Club
Co Kilkenny Horticultural Society
Naul & District Garden Club
Co Wexford Garden & Flower Club
Nenagh & District Flower & Garden Club
Co Sligo Flower & Garden Club
Cork Flower Club
Newbridge House Horticultural Society &
Flower Club
Culmullen Flower & Garden Club
North Dublin Flower Club
Delgany & District Horticultural Soc
North Tipperary Agricultural Show
Doddervale Flower Club
Owenabue Garden Club
Donegal Garden Society
Rathgar Horticultural Society
Drogheda Floral Art Group
Rush & District Hort Society
Dublin Five Horticultural Society
Skeheenarinky Flower and Vegetable Club
Dunboyne Garden & Flower Club
South County Dublin Horticultural Society
Dundrum Flower Club
South Dublin Flower Club
Ennis Flower & Garden Club
St Brigids Horticultural Society
Enniskerry Gardening Club
St Kevins Garden Club, Blessington
Fermanagh Garden Society
Sutton Floral Art Group
Four Seasons Garden Club
Templeogue Horticultural Society
Foxrock & District Garden Club
The Lough Flower & Garden Club
Galway Flower & Garden Club
Thurles Flower & Garden Club
Greystones Flower Club
Tullamore Garden & Flower Arranging Club
Howth, Sutton & Raheny Horticultural Society
Tyrrellspass Gardening Club
Irish Dahlia Society
Waterford Garden Plant Society
Irish Fuchsia & Pelargonium Society
Waterford Regional Gardening Club
Kells & District Horticultural Society
Westport Gardening Club
Kenmare & District Gardening Club
Page 24
Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Partner Gardens
_______________________________________________________
Ballyrobert Cottage Garden and Nursery
Ballyclare
Co. Antrim
Bantry House and Garden
Bantry
Co. Cork
Benvarden Garden
Dervock
Co. Antrim
Birr Castle Gardens
Birr
Co Offaly
Blarney Castle Gardens
Blarney
Co Cork
Burtown House Gardens
Athy
Co Kildare
Colclough Walled Garden
Saltmills
Co. Wexford
Coolaught Gardens
Clonroche
Co. Wexford
Gash Gardens
Castletown
Co. Laois
Glenavon Japanese Garden
Gorey
Co. Wexford
June Blake’s Garden & Nursery
Blessington
Co. Wicklow
Killruddery Gardens
Bray
Co. Wicklow
Kilmokea Country Manor Gardens
Great Island
Co. Wexford
Kylemore Abbey and Walled Gardens
Connemara
Co. Galway
Lodge Park Walled Garden
Straffan
Co. Kildare
Mount Usher Gardens
Ashford
Co. Wicklow
Newtownbarry House Gardens
Bunclody
Co. Wexford
Oakfield Park Garden
Raphoe
Co. Donegal
Seaforde Gardens
Seaforde
Co. Down
Terra Nova Gardens
Killmallock
Co. Limerick
The Bay Garden
Camolin
Co. Wexford
Tullynally Castle Gardens
Castlepollard
Co. Westmeath
Woodville Walled Garden
Kilchreest
Co. Galway
Page 25