2023-08-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number: 1069865

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Friends of the Porter Valley

Annual report and unaudited financial statements

For the year ended 31 August 2023

Friends of the Porter Valley

Contents	Page
Legal and administrative details	1
Trustees’ annual report	2 - 4
Independent examiner's report	5
Receipts and payments accounts	6
Statement of assets and liabilities	7
Notes to the accounts	8

Friends of the Porter Valley Legal and administrative information

Charity number 1069865

Other names the charity is known by:

FOPV

Executive Committee (Trustees)

Committee member since

Ann Le Sage Chair before 2000 Glynis Jones Secretary November 2005 Lyndon Porter Treasurer 2 November 2021 David Clegg November 2012 resigned 28 June 2023 Les Greenwood before 2000 Mike Halliwell October 2016 Glyn Mansell November 2017 Chris Nicholson November 2008 resigned 1 October 2022 Robert Peck 2 November 2021 David Young before 2000

Principal Address

25 Endcliffe Rise Road Sheffield S11 8RU

Independent Examiner (and accountants)

Sarah Lightfoot, FCA DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH

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Friends of the Porter Valley Trustees’ annual report For the year ended 31 August 2023

The Trustees present this Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Objectives, activities and public benefit

The charity’s object is to promote the conservation, protection and restoration, for public benefit, of the natural and physical environment within the Porter Valley, Sheffield.

Our vision is to conserve, protect and restore the ecology, landscape and cultural heritage of the Porter and Mayfield Valleys for the enjoyment of all and the benefit of future generations.

FOPV is the charitable community group which looks after the parks in Sheffield lying along the Porter Brook. We aim to conserve and restore the beautiful features and industrial heritage of this 4 km long linear valley which links the Peak District countryside to the urban areas of South West Sheffield.

In setting the objectives and planning the activities the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. No activities have taken place that do not comply with these objectives.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by its constitution adopted 21 March 1995, and became a registered charity in June 1998. The constitution was updated in August 2022, and submitted to the Charity Commission.

Friends of the Porter Valley’s Executive Committee runs the day-to-day activities of the charity. There is a lead Trustee responsible for each key activity (Shepherd Wheel; Forge Dam Playground; Forge Dam rejuvenation; Bingham Park etc), and Trustees contribute to other activities according to their expertise and availability e.g. running community events. The committee meets monthly. A Subcommittees exists to manage the active and successful Bingham Park Community Group. All activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers and there are no paid staff or premises.

Activities during the Financial year 22/23 to protect the environment and the heritage for current park users and future generations to enjoy.

Forge Dam Restoration:

Our main project concluded in July 2022 but the outcome has been marred by an unexpected and unwanted side effect which only became evident in 22/23: the original C18th sluice at the base of the spillway was opened up during the latter stage of the desilting and the Porter Brook now flows through uncontrolled. The Sheffield CityCouncil are trying to resolve the problem which has attracted much concern among members and visitors alike. The levels in the dam drop substantially in dry weather exposing silt banks and the green training wall constructed to channel the Porter flow. On the bright side: water now reaches the next dam downstream reliably. We are watching the situation carefully and putting pressure on the Council where we can appropriately and are mindful of the need not to interfere or sour good relationships.

Member numbers: 811 at 31 August 2023: up on the previous year, perhaps because more people notice our activities and engage with the FoPV Facebook.

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Friends of the Porter Valley Trustees’ annual report - continued For the year ended 31 August 2023

Support for the environment. Heavily trampled sections of the valley, especially at Forge Dam and in the Bingham Park / Whiteley Woods areas, were reseeded and an ongoing programme of re-seeding and plug planting started thanks to grants from Sheffield City Council for materials. The regular conservation work continued with additional work mornings manned by new volunteers. The Forge Dam desilting project was concluded and the priority work to the Forge Dam bridle path and footpaths was completed in spring 2023. Wear and tear by cyclists, runners, pedestrians, dogs continues to be a concern. The monthly walks and quarterly talks were all geared to nature, environmental and bio -diversity topics. Partnerships with other environment and heritage organisations increased (eg.with the Sheaf and Porter Trust to run a volunteer River Rangers programme to check for pollution in the Porter Brook). Liaison with other environmental, heritage, Parks and Waterways groups increased.

The Nature Recording project with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust continued to engage many volunteers and has extended to cover extra locations. Informally it has inspired a number of keen amateur photographers to capture shots of wildlife in the valley for WhatsApp and Facebook. It was a good year for bird and dragonfly numbers! Because of the uncontrolled water flow out of Forge Dam, levels at the downstream Wire Mill Dam were maintained throughout yet another dry summer so no fish were lost this year.

Conservation Work: 768 volunteer hours were recorded on practical clearance in the woodlands and on paths, gullies and drains. Lively accounts of this work were issued each time this year for the volunteers, a blog on the website, and Facebook. This has proved to be very popular reading and has produced lots of comments and suggestions throughout the year. It may be the reason why so many new members have joined.

Community events: We ran the annual Easter Duck Race again in Endcliffe Park and raised £7,000 for the Forge Dam Playground improvement project. There was again no Christmas Fair in December 2022 and instead we continued very successfully to raise funds through the FoPV web shop. We participated in the Sheffield Heritage Fair in January and Sheffield Tree Fair in May 2023.

Fundraising for restoration and improvement projects

The Forge Dam Playground improvement project began to take shape in late 2022. The 2023 Calendars and Christmas cards were launched to raise funds. Consultation about the Forge Dam Playground through our website and public notices attracted over 170 replies. Funds raised have already been invested in some modest improvements: new accessible equipment (swing and Communications Board) have attracted positive comments from the public. Donations included £1,000 from Hendersons Relish, £50 from a grandfather, and many smaller donations via QR code to the website and from the local Fulwood WI. Funds from bereavements were gratefully received and went towards Forge Dam improvements (Mr Coleman and Mrs Murray)

Walks There were 12 monthly Nature and heritage walks which were full to capacity. We are adding additional botany walks next year to respond to demand. There were 3 walks lead for outside organisations.

Members’ Talks: 3 Talks were provided at Open Meetings for Members, and at the November 2022 AGM we held a ceremony for the Lord Lieutenant to present FoPV the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. We ended the Calendar year on a high!

Presentations The Chair gave 3 talks to outside organisations about the Porter Valley and the charity’s objectives and activities (1 International Soroptimists; 1 Mothers union; one WI).

Communications, Website and other IT developments: We continued to build up capability in this area. 2022/23 saw a further increase in use of social media to communicate with internal teams, inform the public and to advertise events. What’s App groups worked particularly well for Shepherd Wheel volunteers, the Nature Recorders and photographers, and FoPV Trustees.

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Forthe yMr ended 31AW J)23 slwhevdvA￿l MusewnThe c￿th mill (fjntinued toattrad (Ner 3),(XKlvisbtorsayear. Ourweekend rnnni was strengthened wilh new ￿lUnteerS b￿o￿ren￿neerin8Partnerfaced staff turn(wer because of retirement& The 10 year review by the sheffield Museums Trusvs en81neerI￿ department Identiw the need for ￿me malntenano and repair txvk and a new 10 year plan. FOPV ￿￿edureS for hand cash donations introduced and they appear on eath month's cash rec(Yd sheet n(yw. Safwardirya and visitor procedures are being reviewed. The tripartite partnership cortinues strry 8￿￿•M P¥k. The C4xnrnunity Group have pla￿￿1 impr(wements and raised fvnd5. The semnd court will shcfftly see more faalrties and the basketball and netball faalltie5 are Installed n(rw on the first court. Work Is 01￿￿n8 on the skateboard idea. an A¢fventure Trail f(Y under 8s on the try green. and lurther cornmunlty consultation. FOPV are dr¥ftiw a sub commiltee pdicyto darify responsibilitie& Em￿11[ P•rft: In 2024 the Mi rnernorlal to 10 Amerl(3n5 k>st ln • pl aash In 1944 wlll be Y￿Y muth Show and there are imprcwements planned. Volunt••ff h￿5 across all activitses amourted to 4,654. FutrJr• plans We will contlnue to lo￿5 on envlronment and habltat lrnpr(wements. drlve ahead the Bln8ham and Dam Playgrwnd IMPr￿￿rneDts and respond tothe inue4sin8 demand for more nature therned walks and repair5 to wom infrdstrurture. verF5 and open 8reen ¥)3￿. We look foThiard to re50lut1￿ d the woblematlc and unforeseen at the Forge Dam spillwav. The tharlty adopted a Reserves pol in July 2022. Tru5tee5find £s.(KX) morethan suffiriert to rneetfor5eeable and essential CO5￿ We have ￿ salary or prernises a￿tsand the flnances are #ab Unre5tri¢Xed cash reserves at 31 2023 were EJO.4 The trustees dedare that they have aFvrmd theTnJ5tee< amual reixxt ab￿ on 9 October 2023 and knd on behalf of the trustees by: Ann Le Sa8e Chalr

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Friends of the Porter Valley (“the Charity”)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: _______ S Lipligort Sarah Lightfoot, FCA DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH

Dated: _______ 5 October 2023

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Friends of the Porter Valley Receipts & payments account For the year ended 31 August 2023

Notes Receipts Grants 2 Membership Subscriptions Donations Gift aid claimed Legacies Fundraising and sales Consultancy support and evaluation report Bank Interest Total receipts Payments Fundraising and sales costs Forge Dam project Forge Dam playground project Bingham Park project Shepherds wheel school grants Conservation costs Materials for work mornings, events and displays Printing and stationery IT costs Insurance Travel costs Meeting costs Bank charges Accountancy and Independent examination fees Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Transfers 3 Net movement after transfers Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds £ - 5,698 2,145 390 - 1,665 - 844 10,742 673 - - - - 3,816 612 531 220 579 147 588 383 564 8,113 2,629 (3,143) (514) 30,994 30,480	Restricted funds £ 4,207 - 14,819 372 - 13,386 3,000 24 35,808 705 3,000 669 - 500 1,955 258 - - - - - - - 7,087 28,721 3,143 31,864 69,850 101,714	Total 2023 £ 4,207 5,698 16,964 762 - 15,051 3,000 868 46,550 1,378 3,000 669 - 500 5,771 870 531 220 579 147 588 383 564 15,200 31,350 - 31,350 100,844 132,194	Unrestricted funds £ - 5,402 1,316 - 30,983 945 - 3 38,649 1,579 - - 649 500 - 276 278 284 606 - 240 208 1,050 5,670 32,979 (30,973) 2,006 28,988 30,994	Restricted funds £ 4,618 5 10,216 - - 9,870 - 13 24,722 - 26,000 - 22,299 - - 608 - - - - - 81 - 48,988 (24,266) 30,973 6,707 63,143 69,850	Total 2022 £ 4,618 5,407 11,532 - 30,983 10,815 - 16 63,371 1,579 26,000 - 22,948 500 - 884 278 284 606 - 240 289 1,050 54,658 8,713 - 8,713 92,131 100,844

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i•Thbofth• Port•rV•l Fwds fvnd5 Cuwrentac£ount &i ioLn4 131194 69,850 10) 2023 Fund GFft•ld Glft ad Glftdd 1679 1323 1833 etr*ham P¥k 25.thX) 2023 2022 Attountmryand Independw+t Ex4mwiakn f••s 594 Ann Le Stye Chalr

Friends of the Porter Valley Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 August 2023

1 Notes on the preparation of the accounts

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context "cash" includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.

Unrestricted funds comprise of general funds and designated funds. General funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of charity.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

2 Grants

Sheffield City Council - ward pot Sheffield Town Trust The J G Graves Charitable Trust	Unrestricted funds £ - - - -	Restricted funds £ 4,207 - - 4,207	Total 2023 £ 4,207 - - 4,207	Unrestricted fund £ - - - -	Restricted funds £ 618 4,000 - 4,618	Total 2022 £ 618 4,000 - 4,618

3 Restricted funds

Forge Dam restoration Shepherd Wheel Bingham Park Forge Dam playground LAC Grant	Brought Forward £ 28,345 18,872 18,027 4,606 - 69,850	Receipts £ 3,318 2,268 10,838 15,177 4,207 35,808	Payments £ (3,000) (500) (258) (1,374) (1,955) (7,087)	Transfers £ - - 3,143 - - 3,143	Carried Forward £ 28,663 20,640 31,750 18,409 2,252 101,714

Details of the main restricted projects can be found in the Trustees' annual report.

Bingham Park	The transfer of £3,143 from general funds is to help fund the 2nd basketball court.	The transfer of £3,143 from general funds is to help fund the 2nd basketball court.
Forge Dam restoration
Prior year comparison	Brought Carried In the financial year to 31 August 2022, £30,983 legacy received was transferred to the restoration project - any remaining funds will be used on the Forge Dam Playground.
Forge Dam restoration	Forward £ 16,242	Receipts Payments Transfers Forward £ £ £ £ 7,201 (26,081) 30,983 28,345
Shepherd Wheel	16,733	2,139 - - 18,872
Bingham Park	25,582	14,744 (22,299) - 18,027
Forge Dam playground	4,586	20 - - 4,606
Ward Pot	-	618 (608) (10) -
	63,143	24,722 (48,988) 30,973 69,850

4 Trustees' remuneration

The trustees were not paid or received any benefits from employment with the charity. No trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.

Two trustees wen to Buckingham Palace to received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, for which the charity paid £147 travel costs. No other trustees were reimbursed expenses during the year.

5 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions to report during the financial year.

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