SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM TRUSTEES, REPORT for thè year ended 31st October 2023 Charitable Objectives The objectives of the charity are the promotion of floriculture and horticulture, to advance the education of the public, particularly school children, in ecological sustainability and natural resource conservation, and to enhan the lives of older adults in South and South East England. Governance The charity is managed by its Council of TrusteeslDirectors. New TrusteeslDirectors are nominated by the other TrusteeslDirectors. All retire at the Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election. Trustee Meetings are regularly held throughout the year. The Chairman attends meetings with the Britain in Bloom organisation. Though not a legal requirement, the Trustees have appointed an Independent Reporting Accountant to report to them on the Annual Report and Accounts. Aim of South and South East in Bloom for 2023 The goals of South and South East in Bloom for 2023 are to obtain additional funds to cover planned expenses, increase participation to pre-pandemic levels, update judging and assessment criteria to address climate change's impact and further promote Ambassadors, role in encouraging community involvement. In addition, the organisation plans to secure and train judges and assessors to meet the needs of a more significant number of entrants expected to participate. Achievements in 2023 The charity received some financial support from sponsors and granl providers, but more needs to be done to ensure its long-term sustainability. The number of entries in the charity's programs has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The role of Ambassadors has been further developed, and two ambassadors are to be recruited to the position of Trustee after AGM 2024. The charity held a sucSsful seminar for judges and entrants, followed by a prestigious award ceremony hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society at their Surrey Gardens at Wisley. The charity has adjusted its judging and assessment criteria to reflect climate and social change.
Objectives for 2024 The following are the main objectives of South and South East in Bloom. 1. To enhance the Trustee board, seek continuity through recruiting additional trustees who Can bring skills, expertise, experience, and range to the board. 2. Encourage all Trustees and Ambassadors to seek sponsors, grants, and donors to ensure the viability of South & South East in Bloom. 3. Undertake a full review of regional Bloom activities, including governance, finance and operations, in consultation with Trustees, Judges & Assessors and those who participate. 4. Identify the reasons for non-participation from non-participating and former participant groups and communities. 5. Adapt to the changes brought about by climate change through updated judgin9 and assessment criteria, which reflect the predicted gardening trends to ensure the charity remains relevant. 6. Ensure any changes are communicated to entrants, judges and assessors 7. Participate in Britain in Bloom Federation meelings, fully support common objectives across Britain's regions in Bloom, and ensure that Bloom remains as relevant and achievable for its participants as possible. 8. Provide mentoring to increase participants, understanding of gardening methods and needs to help reduce the effects of climate change in the charity's region. 9. Ensure all Trustees continue to play a full role in the future of Bloom, safeguarding the excellent governance and fiscal management already achieved. 10. Further develop the county ambassadors, team and advisors to Trustees and support entries in their respective counties. 11. Ensure sufficient judges and assessors are available to meet the anticipated increased participation and ensure that judges and assessors meet the standards of a South and South East in Bloom. Public Benefit Statement The Region's general public, including residents and visitors, benefit from raising standards of beautification, greening, and environmental responsibility, which results from entries across the Region taking part in our campaign. Not only Councils and voluntary community groups, but businesses and individuals too present and manage their areas., recognition is given for the standards achieved, with feedback given to enable further development.
Financial Position With a deficit for the year, the reserves at the year end are at a bare minimum, and as stated above, additional funds must be identified and achieved if the activities are to continue and the organisation remain solvent. All Trustees are fully aware of the need to obtain new sources of funds for the 2024 operations and have promised their best endeavours. In fact, income was higher in 2023 thanks to greater sponsorship, but the increased cost of the awards more than absorbed this. Expenditure was kept to the very minimum. The software system for on-line registration, judging and awards continued to work well, and did not need any major upgrade. It was not necessary to replace any computers or printers. thankfully. Once again, the Joint Campaign Manager offered to forego £3,000 of her agreed fee to help with the difficult situation, which was most gratefully accepted with many thanks. The Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet are on the pages following. Risk Management The Trustees have considered the risks to which the charity is exposed and are taking the appropriate action Reserves Policy The Trustees have adopted a reserves policy that as soon as circumst2nces permit, the General Reserve should cover the net fixed assets, provide for a minimal Annual Award Ceremony and for essential administrative expenditure to continue for a reasonable time (at least six months) if funds were temporarily unavailable. It will take the time to build up to this level, as sponsors expect that their contribution will be spent on direct charitable expenditure rather than put to reserve.
Statomont of Trusts•8 Re8ponslblllUo5 Charlty Law and Ihe Charity's Deed of Tnjst requires the Trustees to prepare flnancial statements for each flnancial yearwhich give a true and falr vlew of the 5tste of attalrs of the Trust and of the income and expgndibjre ofthe Trustforthat period. In preparing those financial ststements, the Trustees are requlred to select suitable accoUnng policles and Ihen apply Ihem consistently. make judgements and eslimates that are reasonable and prudentand prepar6 Ihe financial statements Dn a going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Trust will continu8. The Trustses are responslble for keeping proper actounting records whlch disclose with reasonable accuracy atany time the financial position of the Trustand enable them to ensure Ihatthe financial statements comply with the requlrements of the Charity Actand the Tfust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trustand hence fortaking reasonable stsps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. On behalf of the Trusbes Peter G D Holman. Trustee & Chairman Geoffrey R Hyde. Tnjsteelco Secretary 8th December 2023
SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM South and South East in Bloom is a company limited by guarantee no 4355500 and a Registered Charity no 1092421. It was formed in 2002 to take over from the previous South East in Bloom, an unincorporated association, which was founded in 1977. In October 2003, it took over the activities of its neighbouring Britain in Bloom Region, Southern in Bloom, changing its name from South East in Bloom to South and South East in Bloom on 19 December 2003. 21st ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31st October 2023 The original South East in Bloom organised annual competitions that the councils, schools, commercial interests, and residents, of the cities, towns and villages of Kent, East & West Sussex, and Surrey, could enter. South and South East in Bloom now cover this original area, plus Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, East Dorset, North Dorset, and East Wiltshire. Awards are given for horticultural and gardening excellence, environmental responsibility, and community involvement. Some winners go forward into the National Finals of Britain in Bloom.
SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 October 2023 Legal and Administrative Details TRUSTEES Peter Holman Jean Griffin Ruth Growney Geoff Hyde lan Hyde Kevin Taitt lan White Molly Louise Klemova White 'hairman ',eputy Chairman Company Secretary CAMPAIGN MANAGERS Anne Holman Kate Harris PRINCIPAL ADDRESS and REGISTERED OFFICE 124 Gravel Hill Croydon CRO 5BF BANKERS Cafcash Limited West Malling Kent REPORTING ACCOU NTANT W Glynne Owen & Colnpany Limited, Chartered Accountants 2 Caradog Villas Lon Glanhwfa Llangefni Anglesey LL77 7EN
SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM Balance Sheet as at 31st October 2023 Note 2022 2023 £.00 0.00 £0.00 0.00 FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash at Bank Debtors 9,273.74 20.00 9,293.74 (1,570.19) 7,723.55 7,300.00 685.50 7,985.50 (2,500.00) 5,485.50 Creditors-Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS RESERVES: General Reserve Designated Reserve - Award Ceremony £7,723.55 £5,485.50 7,723.55 5,485.50 0.00 0.00 TOTAL RESERVES £7,723.55 £5,485.50 For the year ending 31 October 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibilities: the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476, the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts, the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to to companies subject to the small companies, regime. These accounts have been examined by an Independent Examiner whose report is attached. Approved by the Trustees on 8th December 2023 Peter G D Holman.......Trustee Geoffrey R Hyde.......Trustee
SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 October 2023 Note 1&2 General Fund 2022 General Fund 2023 £.00 INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary Income 11,589.74 15,094.90 Activities for generating funds 0.00 0.001 Bank interest 3.98 15.191 Incoming resources from charitable activities 14,839.81 14,182.07 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 26,433.53 29,292.16 RESOURCES EXPENDED 3&4 Charitable Activities 26,268.07 31,217.211 Governance 313.00 313.00 TOTAL CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE 26,581.07 31,530.21, NET RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR (147.54) Deficit 7,871.09 (2,238.05) Deficit 7,723.55 General reserve brought forward 1111122 Transfer from designated reserve: Award ceremony 0.00 0.00 GENERAL RESERVE CIFWD 31110123 £7,723.55 5,485.50
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT THE TRUSTEES OF SOUTH AND SOUTH EAST IN BLOOM I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31" October 2023 which are set out on the attached pages. RESPEcfivE RESPONSIBIUTIES OF THE DIREccfoRS AND EXAMINER The Charitvs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charitvs trustees consider an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1933 (the 1993Art as amended by S28 of the Charities Act 2006) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the 1993 Act as amended): Follow the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission(under Section 43(7)(b)of the 1993 Act, as amended), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 procedure undertaken do not provided all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMEKr In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention. l. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material aspect the requirements to keep accounting record in accordance with Sectlon 386 of the Companies Act 2006. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of Sertion 396 of the Companies Art 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice. Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met . or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. W GLYNNE OWEN & CO UMITED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 2 CARADOG VILLAS GLANHWFA ROAD LLANGEFNI ANGLESEY LL77 7ED SIGNED