Trustees’ annual report (including Directors’ report) for the period
From: 1 April 2022
To: 31 March 2023
Charity name: The Friends of Finsbury Park
Charity registration number: 1104450
Company number: 04343874
Objectives and activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | (1)to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Finsbury Park, London; and (2)to promote, for the benefit of those persons living near to or using Finsbury Park, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political religious or other opinions, by associating together with the said persons and local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure-time occupation of such persons who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Ecology work: Planting by volunteers: 693 saplings and young trees were planted, as well as hedge- planting and other environmental work. Pressed Haringey Council to stop using glyphosate. Use is being reduced greatly. Launched the Ecology page on our website. Work to protect the park from major events: Organised a well-attended Stroud Green Local Election Hustings about the Park. Monseigneur Bruce Kent, an active member of the Friends of Finsbury Park, passed away in June, and a well-attended community tree- planting ceremony was held in remembrance - celebrating the value of the Park and the need to protect this. The Wireless Festival was agreed, by Haringey Council, to run in 2022, with barriers and machinery in the Park for weeks in the summer. We organised a Petition against this major event, which over 2,400 people signed. There was much coverage in the national and local press due to concerns about safety. In November 2022, a community meeting at the Muslim Welfare House was held about the mega events, and over 70 people attended to raise their concerns. Trustees gave a presentation to the Council’s Environmental Scrutiny Panel about the |
| impact of these on the Park. Work to improve safety in the Park:At the meeting in November, a senior police officer spoke about their _Operation Taipan_aimed at crime reduction in Finsbury Park. Other meetings were held with officers on safety matters. Skatepark:Continued work was undertaken with users and Haringey Council to develop an improved Skatepark, having fundraised towards this project in 2021/22. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
Achievements and performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Ecology Work and Volunteers -trees and saplings planted, and other environmental work, have improved the Park ecologically and visually. Increasing number of volunteers (now about 20 per session) has been inspiring. Increasing support to protect the Park-By the end of the year we had 446 Supporters signed up on our website, nearly doubling the number in one year. Our newsletters are forwarded to many more people, and our Twitter Followers numbered more than 3,600. Safety improvements –lighting is now (2023) being installed, and there is more of a police presence. Skatepark-design options have been drawn up, and are going out for final consultation, for build early 2024. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Financial review
| Financial review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the period the charity had cash in bank total of £53,106.93 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity holds restricted reserves for improving the skatepark in Finsbury park in business instant access savings account and any interest accrued is also ringfenced to that account. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £49,851 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
Para 1.47
The charity’s principal
Personal donations and book sales
sources of funds (including any fundraising)
Structure, governance and management
Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document: | Para 1.25 | Memorandum and articles of association |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Company limited by guarantee |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected by supporters at **Annual General Meetings. ** |
Reference and administrative details
| Charity name | The Friends of Finsbury Park |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1104450 |
| Charity’s principal address | Manor House Lodge, Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2DE |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Graham | Co-Chair | |||
| BethanyAnderson | Co-Chair | |||
| Eldridge Culverwell | ||||
| Katie Dawson | ||||
| Lorraine Bewes | Treasurer | Appointed 2nd Feb 2023 | ||
| Douglas Palin | Treasurer & Co Sec | Resigned 25th Jan 2023 | ||
| Clive Carter | ||||
| Jonathan Kenyon | ||||
| Kevin Duffy | ||||
| Lawrence Singha | Vice-Chair & Co Sec | |||
| Louise Wass | ||||
| Catherine Harkell | ||||
| Diane Burridge |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the As above charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for As above safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
Declarations
The company has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors
Signature(s) Full name(s) Bethany Anderson / Tom Graham Lorraine Bewes Position (for example Co-Chair / Co-Chair Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc.)
Date 21 November 2023
| The Friends of FinsburyPark | The Friends of FinsburyPark | The Friends of FinsburyPark | 1104450 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual accounts for theperiod | ||||
| Period start date | 1-Apr-22 | To | 31-Mar-23 |
Section A Statement of financial activities
| Notes Incoming resources General donations Skatepark campaign Skatepark interest Park staff Crowdfunder Book sales Legal Crowdfunder surplus Total Resources expended Book expenses Park staff expenses Campaign expenses General expenses Total Net income/(expenditure) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Release of legal reserve Total funds carried forward |
Total funds £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Prior year funds |
Total funds £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Prior year funds |
Total funds £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Prior year funds |
Total funds £ £ £ £ Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Prior year funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,250 | - | 2,250 | 10 | |
| - | 25 | 25 | 48,006 | |
| - | 280 | 280 | 66 | |
| - | - | - | 187 | |
| 63 | - | 63 | 64 | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| 2,313 | 305 | 2,618 | 48,333 | |
| 37 | - | 37 | 54 | |
| - | - | - | 187 | |
| 4 | - | 4 | 60 | |
| 274 | - | 274 | 355 | |
| 315 | - | 315 | 656 | |
| 1,998 | 305 | 2,303 | 47,677 | |
| 3,460 | 50,060 | 53,520 | 5,843 | |
| 514 | (514) | - | - | |
| 5,972 | 49,851 | 55,823 | 53,520 |
This statement of financial activities was approved by the Board of Trustees on 21 November 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
Tom Graham - Co-Chair
Bethany Anderson - Co Chair
Lorraine Bewes - Treasurer
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examlnerfs Report Report to the trusteesldirectorsl members of The Friends of Finsbury Park On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 | Charity no.: 1104450 Company no.: 04343874 Set out on pages Statement of Financial Activities. Balance Sheet I report lo the chanty trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023. As the charity's Iruslees of the Company (viho are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Acl.). Having satisfied myself thal the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charity s accounts as carried out under seGlion 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ("Ihe 2011 Act'l. In carying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charily Commission (under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Responslbilities and basis of report Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my allenlion which gives me cause to believe that.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., or the accounts do not accord with such records; or the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Acl 2006 other than any requirement that the accounls give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or .the accounts have not been prepared in accordan with the Charities SORP IFRS102J. I have no COnmS and have come across no other matters in conncclion with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: Name: TA IER October 2023
Relevant professtonal I qualificatlon{s) or body (if any): Ciye Address: Plo, Sectlon B Dlsclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef details of any items that the examiner wlshes to disclose. IER October 2023