%01 S4 FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Registered Charity Number: 1052032 Annual Report and financial statements for the 12 months ended 31 sl December 2024 Contents General information Trustees, r8POrt Independent examiner's report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the accounts 10
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS General Information for the 12 months ended 3181 December 2024 Ref8r8nce and administration details Charity nam& Friends of Swansea Botanical Gardens Working name FSBG Charity Number 1052032 Charity's prlncipal address Botanical Gardens Singleton Park Swansea SA2 9DU Trustees Beth Winkley Sonja Olsen Chairperson- appointed 29 May 2024 Susan Barker Treasurer Gaynor claorthY Sècretary- retired 29 May 2024 Wendy Owen Secretary - appointed 29th May 2024 Ceri Davies Jan8t Leach Howard Morgan Emilie Short Jeff Thomas Amanda White Stephen Kidwell Jane Terrett Pamela Morgan Chairperson- retired 29th May 2024 th th th Retired 29 May 2024 Retired 171h January 2024 Appointed 29th May 2024 Appointed 151 August 2024 Independent examiner Stephen Kent & Company Chartered Accountants 456 Gower Road Killay Swansea SA2 7AL Bankers Lloyds Bank plc Oxford Street Swansea SA13AF
ISOI S4 FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Trustees Annual Report for the 12 months ended 31st December 2024 The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements for the twelve months ended 31 D8cember 2024. The financial statem8nts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and SORP and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). Structure, Governance & Management Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex was established in 1994 in order to promote the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park, Clyne Gardens and Plantasia. In 2021 the organisation was renamed as Friends of Swansea Botanical Gardens (FSBG) to reflect that the organisation now only supports th8 Bolanical Gardens in Singleton Park. The organisation was registered as a charity in 1995 with a Constitution which has subsequently had small amendments. Its income is generated from the sale of plants at a well-established shop, which has been trading for twenty-eight years. Additional income is acquired through grant funding for specific projects. FSBG has no assets other than cash at the bank, its plant stock and th8 goodwill of the volunteers. FSBG is based in two polytunnels within the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park. FSBG operates under a three-year Licence & Agreement with City & County of Swansea which was last renewed in October 2017. The Legal Department of the City & County of Swansea is now looking into the renewal of the Licence. All projects undertaken in the Gardens ar8 either initiated by the Council or with the agreement of the Council. FSBG is an affiliated society of the Royal Horticultural Society [RHS]. Annual insurance with public liability up to £10million is in place. The affairs of FSBG are managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of up to thirteen members (ten at present) to include three Office Bearers - Chair, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. Included in the thirteen is a representative of the City Council. All Officers are elected annually and the Chair may not serve more than three consecutive years without the approval of the AGM. All other members are elected annually for a period of three consecutive years. All give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits other than documented expenses. The Committee meets five times each year with the int8ntion of acting in the best interests of the Charity. The AGM is held in May. Documentation is in place to cover financial policy, equality and diversity, safeguarding, volunteering, environment and grievances. All volunteers have copies of these documents. They are updated as needed to keep pace with legislation. FSBG is run entirely by volunteers and offers volunteering opportunities for a diverse section of the local community. These volunteering opportunities offer roles for peopl8 of various abilities. Without willing volunteers generously giving their time and their skills the charity would not exist.
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Volunteer numbers have remained steady this year with a strong core of regular volunteers. A growing number of enquiries have been received through our website for both the polytunnel and horticultural volunteering opportunities and induction sessions are arranged on a regular basis. Trading Income is achieved through trading in the community Plant Shop and from grant funding for specific projects. 2024 has been a successful trading year in the shop. Takings were 5 % less than the previous year. Stock for the Shop comes from three sources." purchased from reputable suppliers, propagated by volunteers from seed and existing stock or donated by the Council and supporters. Stock levels are reviewed regularly to ensure that an adequate range is offered for sale. Supplies of plants and compost improved this year again, although prices have risen. Building on the success of recent years we continue to place more reliance on propagating our own stock, ensuring that we are more resilient to market fluctuations. Objectives & Activities The overall aims and objectives of FSBG are to preserve, conserve, restore and maintain the gardens and grounds in the Botanical Gardens for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. Achievements & Performance In 2024 FSBG used £20,436 funds generated by the legacy of Shirley Margaret Dean to repaint and repair outbuildings in the Botanical Gardens. The £18,700 grant from The Postcode Lottery awarded at the end of 2023, was used to erect wooden benches around a number of trees, in shady areas. Also, another decorative metal entrance gate was purchased at a cost of £7,000 An Awards for All Community Fund grant of £4,985 was used to equip all volunteer groups who work in the historic gardens and Singleton Park, Swansea with the n8cessary tools to carry out their work more effectlV81y. An Austin Bailey Foundation grant was used to help purchase a Defibrillator, its waterproof cabinet and 7year car8 package plus training for volunteers. The Defibrillator is sited conspicuously within the Botanical Gardens. Plants and other materials for the gardens costing £9,395 were purchased by FSBG. We have replaced the staging in the Orchid Greenhouse to enable the parks staff to increase their stock of exotic plants.
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Du@ to the damage caused by Storm Darragh in December 2024 we lost our shop polytunnel. We have had to transfer as much as w8 could, cupboards, stationary, reference books, tools, sales equipment, compost, plant feed, plants, workstations, seating etc, in fact everything needed to work, prepare and pot up plants, to our second polytunn81 normally used for storage, Our volunteers worked tirelessly all through January to enable the shop to be reopened safely for the public and for our volunteers. Future Plans FSBG will fund the Wildflower and Wellbeing Garden to be planted with fruit trees and perennials as the soil, we have now discovered, does not support the wildflowers previously planted. With the new planting in the 26 quadrangle flower beds, we plan to use botanical labels with QR codes to inform the visitors what is growing in each bed. We are introducing work-shops for our volunteers to 8nhance their knowledge and interest. These workshops include planting procedures, understanding soil type, propagation, seed growing, pruning times and and general plant care. FSBG will arrange for the repair and renovation of all the seating around the quadrangle and in the Wellbeing and Wildflower Garden approx. 70 seats. FSBG will fund the new planting of the Herb Garden with wheelchairs in mind to enable everyone to enjoy the aromas around new pathways. We have an ageing group of knowledgeable people, who need to pass on their knowledg8 to the next generation, 8ut there is a serious problem in finding younger volunteers, not only to carry on the work of FSBG, but also to become trustees and eventually take on officer responsibilities. Succession is a very serious problem for the future of the Friends of Swansea Botanical Gardens. The Trustees are giving close attention to this matter. Financial Review and Reserves Policy Unrestricted funds., Incoming resources amounted to £60,411 (2023: £40,202) and expenditure of £52,428 (2023: £48,263) was incurred. There was therefore net incoming resources of £7,983 (2023: outgoing £8,061) Adding the surplus to opening unrestricted funds of £76,473 {2022: £84,534) results in unrestricted funds carried forward at 31 st December 2024 were £84,456 (2023: £76,473). These unrestricted funds will be utilised on future projects. Restricted funds: There was incoming resources of £6,028 (2023.. £19,200) and expenditure of £24,855 (2023: £373) was incurred. There was therefore net outgoing resources of £18,827 (2023: incoming £18,827) Balances brought forward were £18,827. Restricted funds carried forward are
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Reserves Policy FSBG managing Committe8 has resolved to set aside a sum of money to provide financial stability and the m8ans for the development of our principal activities. It Is intended to maintain the reserves at £20,000 for the coming year, in order to meet any unforeseen requirements or emergencies. This does not include the cost of operating stocks of plants and consumables, without which the charity cannot function. In addition of being able to cover potential risks and contingencies that may arise from time to time, the R8serves Policy aims to maintain sufficient lev81 of reserves to enable normal operating activities to continue over a period of up to 12 months should a shortfall in income occur. The managing Committee annually reviews the amount of reserves required to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil continuing obligations. Investment Policy The funds held by the Charity are invested with th6 objective of obtaining the highest interest rates available with the minimum of risk. Trustees. responsibilities The Trustees 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). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year showing the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepar8 the financial accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 Charities Act 2011 (FRS 102), and the Charity SORP Regulations. 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. The trustees, report was approved by the trustees on 14th May 2025 and signed on their behalf by.. Sonja Olsen Chair 14th May 2025 g, OIL
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of The Friends of Swansea Botanical Gardens. I report on the accounts of the Friends of the Swansea Botanical Gard8ns for the 12 months ended 31 st December 2024 which are s8t out on pages 7 to 10. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.. The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of th8 Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,. follow th8 procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 vi&w' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In th8 connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 1 . which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act. have not been met; or 2. to which th co y opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of o be reached. Stephen Kent, FCA Stephen Kent & Company 456 Gower Road Killay, Swansea SA2 7AL .date
oS01 S4 FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Statement of financial activities for the 12 months to 31st December 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 3111212024 Total Funds 3111212023 Note Incomlng Resources Donations & Grants Trading Income Interest on Investments 21,541 37,135 1,735 6,028 27,569 37,135 1,735 19,532 39,029 841 Total Incomlng Resources 60,411 6,028 66,439 59,402 Resources Expended Charitable Activities Plants & Materials for Resale Other Trading Materials Administration 40,777 9,581 1270 800 24,855 65,632 9,581 1,270 800 36,967 9,456 1,505 708 Total Resources Expended 52,428 24,855 77,283 48,636 NET INCOMINGIOUTGOING RESOURCES 7,983 -18,827 -10,844 10,766 Balances brought forward as at 1st January 2024 76,473 18,827 95,300 84,534 Balances carried forward as at 31st December 2024 84,456 84,456 95,300 The Statement of Financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities
DSDI$4* FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024 31st December 2024 31st December 2023 Note Current Assets Stock Cash at Bank Cash in Hand Prepayments Total Current Assets 6,190 78,432 50 184 4,936 91,161 50 199 84,856 96,346 Current Llabllltles Accruals 400 1,046 NET TOTAL ASSETS 84,456 95,300 Funds Unrestricted Restricted 84,456 76,473 18,827 TOTAL FUNDS 84,456 95,300 The Financial Statements were approved by the trustees on 14th May 2025 and signed on their behalf by;" Sonja Olsen Chair 14th May 2025 sokn
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS Notes to the financial statem8nts for the year ended 31 sl December 2024 Accounting policies The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). Also, the Chariti8s SORP (FRS 102). The following accounting policies have been used: (a) Interest receivable is account8d for in the year in which it falls due. (b) Donations receivable and Trading Income are accounted for in the year in which they are received. (c) Funds accounting - Funds held by the charity are: Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds these are funds which can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to th8 accounts. (e) Resources expended - All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual accounting basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 2. Taxation FSBG is a registered charity and, accordingly, is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes. io
li¢11 Gb FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS 3. Direct Charitable Expenditure Unrestricted Restricted Total Total to 31/12/2024 Funds Funds 2023 Repalntln8 And Refurblshment of OutbLtlldlngs Wooden Tree Benches Plants and Materlals for New Plantlng Schemes Gate 20,436 20,436 18,700 9,395 7,000 5,760 2,040 1,975 170 156 65,632 18,700 9,395 7,000 775 2,040 975 33,960 Gardening Tools for Volunteers/Gardeners Staglng for Plants In glasshouses Deflbrlllalor SpecSmen Tree SSgns Web-site/ NewsLetter & other Communlcatlon5 4,985 1,000 170 156 40,777 192 34,152 24,855 4. Truste8s' remuneration None of the trustees were paid any remuneration or 8xpenses by the Charity during the year (2023 none). There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period. 5. Stock Stock of plants, compost, pots and other materials, used for Irading, are valued at the lowest of cost or net realisable value. li
FRIENDS OF SWANSEA BOTANICAL GARDENS 6. Funds Movement in Resources > Balance 1st January 2024 Balance 31st December 2024 Incomin Outgoing RESTRICTED FUNDING Postcode Lottery Grant for Tree Seats 18,700 18,700 Donation in Memory of Heilig Jones 127 43 170 Awards ForAII: Gardening Tools Austin Ba iley Foundation - Defibrillator 4,985 4,985 1,000 1,000 TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS 18,827 6,028 24,855 UNRESTRICTED FUNDING General Funds 76,473 60,411 52,428 84,456 TOTAL FUNDS 95,300 66,439 77,283 84,456 12