2025-02-28-accounts

Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date From March 2024 To 29 February Reference and administration details 2025 Section A Charity name Littje Aston Recreation Ground Association Other names charity is known by LARGA Registered charity number (if any) 1051243 Charity's principal address 7 Roman Grange, Roman Road Little Aston Park Staffordshire Postcode B74 3GA Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charlty Trustee name Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee {if an Office {if any) Dates acted rf not for whole year Mr David Salter Mrs Jean Wilson Chair Shenstone Parish Council Mrs Ruth Pegler Mrs Lisa Breeze Mr Charles Fordham Mrs Lisa Jane Deeming Mr Anthony Power Mrs Sheila Shaw Treasurer Secretsry Shenstone Parish Council Resigned 24.9.24 Mrs Nicky Hemming Vice-chair Appointed to v]￿-chaIr on 14.10.24 10 Mr Paramjit Basi Mrs Lynn Tomlinson Mr Bill Byrne Mr Mark Watkins Vice-chair Resigned 24.9.24 12 Resigned 10.2.25 Appointed 10.3.25 13 14 15 16 17 18 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) e of adviser Name Address Bank 9 Birrningham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QA Lloyds Bank PIC Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement 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 information) You may choose to include The following policies and procedures have been adopted". 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 membersltrustees Guidan￿ for Reclaiming Gift Aid on donations Intemal 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 charity 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. Section C Ob"ectives and activities The provision and Maintenan￿ 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 maintenan 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 one main fund-raising event during Ihe year which serves to promote and foster a local community identity whilst helping us to raise funds to purchase new equipment and maintain the landscape. The trustees of the charity have had regard to the guidan￿ 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 information) Our charity 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 twi￿ weekly to carry out various horticultural tssks 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-committee 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. During the Covid Pandemic the 'Paty in the Park, could not be held and it highlighted our reliance on the funds raised in this way. One of the trustees who recently joined the Management Committee has a lot of experience in fund raising and this is a focus of the Committee going forward. contribution made by volunteers. There is also a group of local residents to the recreation ground, which includes a few trustees, who assist in opening and dosing the vehicular barrier every morning and evening.

Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the Gharlty during the year Party in the Park In recent years the Committee have organised a large event during the summer known as 'Party 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. Over 2750 people attend 'Paty in the Park. which is 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 a variety of important maintenance and horticultural tasks to be carried out at the recreation ground. and put money aside for the much needed repairlrenewal of the pathways. 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 service 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 the past few financial periods, certain established trees have become available for 'adoption' 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 site remains an attractive facility for local children and families to enjoy. Now that the site is well established, work is concentrated on Maintenan￿ rather than development. Website The Charity's website provides comprehensive information about the history of the recreation ground's development and the range of current facilities. 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 Committee but has extended to include other members of the local community. The work undertaken by volunteer gardeners has enabled the appearance of the recreation ground to be maintained to a high standard for the enjoyment of visitors to the site. The volunteers meet regulady to plan new projects that have included planting thousands of native wildflowers and bulbs, extending the wild bird friendly hedgerow, planting new borders with lants and shrubs donated b local nurseries and addin conifers and

Section D Achievements and performance heathers to the pinetum. A group of volunteer gardeners meet twice weekly to work at the recreation ground and others cary 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. Wlldlife Educational Area The Committee established 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 fumiture and interactive equipment was installed to encourage children to learn about and gain an understanding of local wildlife and native flora. The funding for this first stage of the development was provided by the 'Party in the Park, cOn￿rt held in July 2014. Grant funding was subsequently secured to install further interactive equipment including a specially designed sensory board and five large bespoke information lectems 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 its '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 Committee 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 committee 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 benefit of our visitors. Defibrillator In 2018 the Charity installed a community defibrillator. together with an electricity supply, at the recreation ground. This is an important resource in the event of an emergency, serving both our immediate neighbourhood and the thousands of visitors who come to the recreation ground every year. During this financial year, Shenstone Parish Council funded a re la￿rnent defibrillator after it was used b a member of the ublic in an

Section D Achievements and performance emergency. 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 security of tenure for both parties.

Section E Financial review LARGA holds cash ￿serveS 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. Brlef statement of the charity's policy on reserves A cash reserve. currently standing at £32,000, is also being held to fund the repairlreplacement of the pathways. This reserve is also unrestricted funds. Details of any funds materlally in deflcit Not Applicable Further financial review détsils (Optional infomlation) During the year, the Charity re￿iVed 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 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 infomation, 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 22111125

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name Little Aston Recreation Ground Association members of

On accounts for the year Charity no ended 28 February 2025 (if any) 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 29/02/2025.

• 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 Act”).

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.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or

• the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns 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.

Signed:

Date:

Name: Paul Bulzacchelli ~~Pt~~ Relevant professional Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: 4 Parkside Court Greenhough Road Lichfield WS13 7FE

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Section B Disclosure ~~ee~~

8

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

9

Little Aston Recreation Ground Assoclallon 1051243 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forth• period from 0110312024 To 2810212025 Section A Receipts and payments Un￿striCted funds to tl rnarest Endowment funds to the nearest £ Reslrlcted funds Total funds Last year tr• thtr rarest £ to th? n￿reSt £ to the ￿areSt £ A1 Recei ts Grants an(5 Lknnations Part In the Park Gift Aid Gift a Tree Ic& Cr8am Van S818 Qf E nEnt Bank Interest 8,472 33,474 283 8,472 33.474 283 4,663 23.591 303 600 soo 379 379 228 Sub total(Gmss income forAR) 43.208 43.208 29.285 A2 Asset and investment sales. see table Sub total Totalreceipts 43.208 43,208 29,285 A3Pa ments EquiprrEnt Trees and Shrubs Gardener Expenditure Maintenance Administration and Insurance Miscellaneous tkjnations Paid 6.821 140 13,013 6.821 140 13,013 23,997 673 2,970 414 934 414 934 1,2$4 799 406 Sub total 31.119 31.119 34,857 A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) Sub total Totalpaymonts 31.119 31.119 34.857 Net of receipts/(paymentsJ A5 Transfers betwoon funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 12,089 12,089 15.572) 38.815 38,815 50.904 44.387 50.904 38,815

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period un￿strICted fvnds to rnare¥t £ Restricted funds Endowment funds to n•ar¢st £ Categotl•s D•tal to nMrest £ B1 Cash funds Bank Current Account Bank O it Account Cash 183 Total cash funds 50,904 unreStr￿1•d funds to neafvst £ Endowmènt funds to n•ar8st £ Restricted funds to nearest £ Dètalls B2 Other mongtary assets Fund to whlch a55et bolon Current valu• tlonal D•tall$ Cost tlonal Fund to whlch ass•t bolon Currgnt valuè tlonal Detall$ Cost tional B4 Assets retained for the ¢harlty's own use Fund to which Ilabilit relates Amount due tlonal When du• tional D•tails B5 Liabilities Signed by one or twt> trustees on behaff of all the tnjstees Sunalure Pmt Name Date of a roval 2211112025 Dav#J Satter 2211112025 11