Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date From March 2023 To 29 February 2024 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Little Aston Recreation Ground Association Other names charity is known by LARGA Registered charity number (if any) 1051243 Charlty's principal address 7 Roman Grange, Roman Road Little Aston Park Staffordshire Postcode B74 3GA Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Narne of porson (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if an Trustoo name Office lif any) Dates acted if not for whole year Mr David Salter Chair Shenstone Parish Council Mrs Jean Wilson Mrs Ruth Pegler Mrs Lisa Breeze Treasurer Secretary Mr Charles Fordham Mrs Lisa Jane Deeming Mr Anthony Power Mrs Sheila Shaw Resigned 24.9.24 Mrs Nicky Hemming Vice-chair Appointed to Vice-chair on 14.10.24 10 Mr Paramjit Basi Mrs Lynn Tomlinson Mr Bill Byrne Vic&Chair Resigned 24.9.24 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted rf not for whole ear
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) e of adviser Name Address Bank Lloyds Bank PIC 9 Bimiingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QA Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Section B Structure, governance and management Description of the charity's trusts Constitution adopted 5 June 1995 as amended 9 October 1995 and 1 April 2017. Type of governing document How the charity is constituted Association consisting of not less than 10 members not more than 18 members. Trustee selection methods Trustees are appointed or re-appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting held in March in each year or as soon as practicable thereafter. Additional governance issues (Optional infonnation) The following poliaes and procedures have been adopted.. You may choose to include additional information. where relevant, about.. Health and Safety advi and Risk Assessment Procedures for volunteer gardeners working at the Recreation Ground. Policy and procedures in accordance with the Data Protection Directive as they apply to our small Charity Trustee information pack containing good practice guidance notes from the Charity Commission issued to all committee rnembersltrustees Guidance for Reclaiming Gift Aid on donations Internal Financial Control in line with Charity Commission guidelines Code of Conduct Equality, diversity and inclusion policy policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees., the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charty works; relationship with any related parties. trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Management Agreement between LARGA and Shenstone Parish Council agreed in March 2018 for 25-year term. Liaison continues wtth Shenstone Parish Council to seek a long-term lease between the Char and the Council who are the landowners. Section C Ob"ectives and activities The provision and maintenance of a recreation ground for the benefit of the inhabitants of Little Aston and surrounding area. Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
The focus of our Committee's activities remains the ongoing maintenance and development of the Recreation Ground for the benefit of all age groups who visit and enjoy the various facilities at the site. In order to meet these objectives, we organise fund-raising events throughout the year which serve to promote and foster a local communty identity whilst helping us to raise funds to purchase new equipment and develop the landscape. The trustees of the charity have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and other key aspects of charitable law including their role as trustees. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional infomiation) Our charty is very dependent upon the efforts of our volunteers. We have a well-established team of volunteer gardeners who work closely with the Management Committee and meet tivice weekly to carry out various horticultural tasks at the recreation ground. Other members of the group work on different occasions when time permits. The volunteer gardeners are very keen to attract young people and in past years a number of students have completed the volunteering activity for their Duke of Edinburgh awards in a horticultural programme at the recreation ground. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about.. There is also the 'Party in the Park. sub-commtttee which comprises several trustees together with other volunteers. This team works steadily throughout the year planning and organising our main fund-raising summer event. policy on grantmaking" policy programme related investment., contribution made by volunteers. During the Covid Pandemic the 'Party in the Park, could not be held and it highlighted our reliance on the funds raised in this way. One of the trustees who joined the Management Committee last year has a lot of experience in fund raising and this will be a focus of the Committee going forward.
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year Party in the Park In recent years the Committee have organised a large event during the summer known as 'Paty in the Park., This was originally organised to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 but was so popular and successful that it was repeated every year. Unfortunately. in financial years 20121 and 21122, due to the Covid Pandemic we could not hold the event. However. 'Party in the Park. resumed in the last financial year and was held again in this financial year and over 2750 people attended a spectacular event helping to raise funds. The local community including several businesses within the locality were involved in making this event another success. The funds raised have enabled the installation of rubberised safety surfacing under further pieces of play equipment and also to carry out a variety of important maintenance and horticultural tasks at the recreation ground. Gift a Tree Scheme Some years ago, the Committee established the above scheme whereby members of the local community can donate a tree to either celebrate an event or remember a loved one. This Servi was established to improve the amenity and appearance of the landscape at the Recreation Ground and has been an ongoing activity. It has proved to be very successful and to date over 200 specimen trees have been planted under the scheme. In order to monitor the development of the landscape, the 'Gift a Tree, scheme was suspended in the year ended 28 February 2019. During this financial period. certain established trees have become available under this scheme now that the landscape has matured. Grounds Maintenance Our ongoing programme of work has continued successfully this year to ensure that the srte remains an attractive facility for local children and families to enjoy. Website The Chanty's website provides comprehensive information about the history of the recreation ground's development and the range of current facililies. It also provides information about how the Trustees manage the charity. The address of the website is www.larga.co.uk Volunteer Gardener Scheme The above scheme initially involved volunteers from the Management Committee but has extended to include other members of the local community. The work undertaken by volunteer gardeners has enabled the committee to improve even further the appearance of the recreation ground and therefore the enjoyment of visitors to the site. The volunteers meet re ularl to lan new ro ects that have included lantin
Section D Achievements and performance thousands of native wildflowers and bulbs, extending the wild bird friendly hedgerow and planting new borders wth plants and shrubs donated by local nurseries. During the year various bulbs were planted, including crocuses, snowdrops and tete a tete. Additional conifers and heathers were also added to the pinetum. A group of volunteer gardeners meet twice weekly to work at the recreation ground and others carry out work in smaller groups either at weekends or evenings during the summer months. The Trustees are keen to encourage young people to come forward as volunteers and in previous years students have completed Duke of Edinburgh volunteering activity in a horticultural programme at the recreation ground. Wlldllfe Educational Area The Committee began planning the establishment of a Wildlife Educational Area at the recreation ground some time ago. This involved liaison with The Wildlife Trust and research into other ventures of a similar nature. A range of furniture and interactive equipment was installed to encourage children to learn about and gain an understanding of local wildlrfe and native flora. The funding for this first stage of the development was provided by the 'Party in the Park, concert held in July 2014. Grant funding was subsequently secured to install further interactive equipment including a specially designed sensory board and five large bespoke infonnation lecterns to inform visitors about local wildlife, trees and flora at the recreation ground and in the local area. Fields in Trust Award As one of over 2,300 'Fields in Trust, registered in the UK the recreation ground was previously (2015) voted tts 'Most Improved Fields in Trust Site. in the country. In October of 2016 the recreation ground was also nominated by visitors for the award of Fields in Trust 'Best Park'2016. This was a tremendous acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of both the trustees of the Executive Commtttee and volunteers from the local community who have worked to improve the facilities and appearance at the site. The trustees are dedicated to continuing to further improve facilities for the thousands of people of all ages who visit us every year. The commtttee have strived during the period to maintain the high standards that led to the above achievements. Horticultural Developments. The landscape of the recreation ground continues to mature and improve each year. A wonderful collection of trees and some of these specimens have been donated by local garden centres and community members who are regular visitors. The trees are maintained by our local volunteers involving some work with pruning in each season. Through using our best horticultural practice to deliver impact in the community at the recreation ground it has been an important year to further enhance the landscape for the benefft of our visitors. Defibrillator In 2018 the Charity installed a community defibrillator together with an electric. su at the recreation round. This is an im ortant resource
Section D Achievements and performance in the event of an emergency, serving both our immediate neighbourhood and the thousands of visitors who come to the recreation ground every year. Management Agreement In 2019, the Charity negotiated and exchanged a 25-year Management Agreement with the local council. This clarifies our respective roles and responsibilities and provides a degree of securty of tenure for both parties.
Section E Financial review LARGA holds cash reserves of at least £5,000, all of which is unrestricted funds. These funds are held in order to meet any unforeseen expenditure that may occur. Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in def icit Not Applicable Further financial review details (Optional information) During the year, the Charty reIVed a small amount of grant funding but the principal source of funds came from the annual 'Paty in the Park, event. Also. donations were received from the 'Just Giving, campaign, the Lichfield Lottery, Amazon Smile and from the three donation boxes sited on the recreation ground. We also receive a small annual donation from the ice cream van that visits the recreation ground. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about- the charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)., how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature{s) Full name{s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) David Salter Ruth Pegler Treasurer Chair Date Iiil?olLk
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Little Aston Recreation Ground Association On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) 29 February 2024 1051243 Set out on pages Ten and eleven I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 2910212024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I Confi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no cOnrnS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: Is/ii1102 Name: Paul Bulzacchelli Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Address: 4 Parkside Court Greenhough Road Lichfield WS13 7FE
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners>. Glve here brlef detalls of any Items that the examlner wishes to disclose.
Littlè Aston Rè¢roation Ground As$o¢i•tion 1051243 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 01103r2023 29102r2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to the nearest Rastricted funds to the nearest £ Endowmant funds to the nearest £ Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Recei Granls and Donations Party in the Park Gift Aid Gift a Tree Ice Cream Van Sale of Equipment Bank Interest 4.663 23.591 303 4,663 23,591 303 S,183 23,451 69S 500 500 228 228 ross income or AR) 29.285 29,28S 29138 A2 Asset and investment sa (see table). es. Total receipts 29.285 29.8 A3Pa ments Equipment Trees and Shrubs Gardener Expenditure Maintenance Administration and Insurance Miscellaneous Donations Paid 23,997 673 2,970 4,758 1.2$4 799 23.997 673 2.970 4.758 1.254 799 4,595 889 7,380 S,227 197 760 250 S24 19.822 406 34.857 406 34.857 Sub total A4 Asset and investment urchases se table Sub total Total payments 34.857 34,857 19,822 Not of recelpts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end (5.572 {5.672 10,016 38.815 38,815 44,387
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Restricted funds funds Endowment funds Categories Details to nrest£ to neare8t£ to rbearÈst £ B1 Cash funds Bank Current Account 7.424 31,252 139 15 Bank De osit Account Cash Total cash funds Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to noarost £ Endowmènt funds to nearest £ Detsils B2 Other monetary assets Fund to which asset belon Current value tional) Details Cost tional B3 Investment assets Fund to which asset belon Current value (optional Details Cost {0 tionall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to which relates Amount due tional When due tional Details BS Liabilities Signed by one or trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Date ot approval Print Name Ruth Pe ler David Salter