Open Spaces J06ie Annual Report and Accounts 2024 25a Bell Stree( Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BA Ema51: hq@oss.org.uk Website: www.oss.org.uk Charity no 1144840 Registered in England and Wales, limited company no 7846516
THE OPEN SPACES SOCIETY Vice-presidents, officers, other trustees and staff 31 December 2024 Vice-presidenls Diane Andrewes Mike Clarke Richard Mabey Phil Wadey (F,G,L) Graham Bathe (G) Siuart Bain (FG} Chris Beney Simon Hunt (F) (to July 2024) John Hall {L), James Lean (F) (from March 2024) Andrew Packman (from April 2024) Tard-jane Sulcliffe (L) member finance committee - member general purposes committee member legal committee Staff David (Lord) Clark RogeT de Freitas Chairman Vice-chairman Treasurer Oiher Iruslee General secrelary Case officers Kate Ashbrook Helen Clayton Hugh Craddock Nicola Hodgson Jess Tyler Commons re-regislralion officer Finance officer andcompany secrelary Lucie Henwood (to May 2024). Glynis Smith (from May 2024) Jane Abey (to March 2024) Frances Kerner Membership secretary Operalions and markeling manager Office a&sislant and membership secretary Digilal markeling and ontenl manager Sarah Hacking Lucy McKean Abbie Cavendish Barclays Bank plc, tKicester LE87 2BB CAF Bank Ltd. 25 King5 Hill Avenue. Kings Hill. West Malling MEI 8 4JQ Flagslone Group Lid. Clareville House, 26-27 Oxendon Street. London SWI Y 4EL Sollcltors: Mercers, 50 New Stree¢ Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BX. Richard Buxton, Dale's Brewery, Gwydir StreeL Cambridge CB12LJ Flnanclal Independent examiners: Villar5 Hayward LLP. Boston House. 2 Boston Road, Henley- on-Thames RG9 1 DY Investment advisers= JM Finn, 25 Copthall Avenue. London EC2R 7AH
Open Spaces Society Trustees, report for 2024 Highlights of 2024 During the year we". helped our members protect 892 commons, greens, open spaces, and paths under threat of loss; welcomed the government's intention, following user- group pressure, to repeal the 2031 extinguishment of unrecorded public rights of way; intervened in the Dartmoor backpack-&qmping case in the supreme court: through legal action secured the removal of unlawful gates from a path in North Yorkshire, and persuaded Cornwall Council to register applications to add paths to the defmitlve map: celebrated the registration of seven lost commons, in Cornwall, Devon. and North Yorkshire. totalling 200 hectares; gave advice and support to our network of 44 local correspondents who protect many open spaces and paths. held a training event for our local correspondents; boosted our legal-action fund. Reference and administrative infonnation Reglstered charlty name and number The Open Spaces Society. re8lStered number 1144840. Registered company name and number The Open Spaces Society. gIStered numE¢r 7846516. Principal and registered office 25a Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BA Names of trustees, advlsers and staff The trustees are listed abDve, together with details of advisers and the names of the staff.
Structure, governance, and management Governing document The Charity is controlled by ils goveming document. the memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, lirnited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The charity is the successor to ihe Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society (registered charity numkr 214753) which was eslablished by a Irust deed dated 6 December 1963. originally having been founded in 1865. It was registered as a company limited by guarantee on 14 November 2011. Recruitment and appolntment of trustees Trustees are appointed by ihe members of the company (ie the society), in accordance wilh the memorandum and articles of association. Related party disclosures No transaction which would nc¢d to disclosed has been notified by any trustee. in relation to the year. nor any balance outstanding from pViOUS years. Declaratlons of Interest An agenda item for recording these. if any be de¢laTed, aParS on the agenda for each trustee meeting. The society's insurers require a statement to be minuied at each (quarterly) meeting that the trustees are not aware of anything arising which might lead to a claim on the society's indemnity )lICY. Risk-management statsment The society mainlains a risk register which is gUlarlY reviewed by trustees with practical precautions being implemented by officer5 and staff. Public benefit statement Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 requires the charity trustees to cornply with their duty to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in exercising their EM)wets or duties. The trusttts are mindful of this obligation and have been referring to the guidance when reviewing their airns and objeclive5 and in planning their future activities. They have Considered how planned xtivilies will contribute lo the aims and objectives they have seL Objectives and activities for the public benefit Summary of the charity's objects and strategy for achievlng them The objects of ihe society are campaigning to create and conserve common land, village greens, open spaces, and Tights of public access in town and country, in England and Wales. These objects are furthered both locally and nationally. The society mainlains a network of local correspondenls who can make site visits where problems arise and submil appropriate representations regarding. for example. proposed changes to the public-paih network. Th¢ Sl¢lY also secures the registering of new village greens. resists encroachments on common land, and defends common land and greens a8ainst deregistration.
At a national level the society's unique expertise is its accumulated knowledge in the complicated e law and Common law that apply to common land and its user righis. Bodics such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Welsh government, the National Tnjst, Natural England, and Natural Resources Wales acknowledge the society's primacy in this area. The society is a mandalory consultee for certain applicalions for works on common land and for changes to public rights of The 50CiCty also endeavours to improve the law for the benefit of the public. By challenging unacceplable proposals-through the courts if necessary-and more generally by seeking media attention and lobbying parliaments and local auihorities. it protects places of Etauty and interest, and achieves better public access throughout England and Wales. Achievements and performance, delivery of public benefit Summary of main achievements during the year The unexpectedly-early g¢n¢ral ¢l¢ction (Coinciding with our AGM) in July gave us the opportunity to lobby new minister5 about access and rights of way, and we found them sympathetic though constrained by pressures on public funding and cost of living. B005td by our legal-action fund we purs1 severnl cases in the courts and backed our members in doing so. We renewed our appeal to members lo support the fund and were pleased that. thanks io their generosity, we had raised a year<nd toial of £16.489. The main achievements during the year are listed below under headings which reflect the four main objects in our constitution. To protsct commons. greens, and other open spaces We responded to calls from members for advice on protection and management of at least 153 commons. 94 greens and 320 other open spaces. Other cases and disputes came to us from consultations from otTicial bodies or were dealt Wsth by our local correspondents. Our re-registration otTicer, Frances Kerner. funded by the generous legacy from Jack Candy, continued her work on applications, submitting three in North Yorkshire. She also pursued and defended applications we had already made in other English counties before their registers closed to new applications on 31 tkcember 2020. and appeared at a public hearing in Cornwall. During the year we celebrated the addition of seven commons lo the Tegisters, covering more ihan 200 heclares, thanks lo our efforts: in Cornwall at Bum8ullow, tA)wer Bann& Porthlowan. and West Looe Down (the last application made by Tomas Hill with our support)" in Devon the pieces of land on Dartmoor, and at Nesfield in North Yorkshire. We began scoping the work to be done in Wales, where the deadline for applications is 2032, five years after Cumbria and North Yorkshire. In October judges in the supreme court heard ihe appeal in the Dartmoor backpack- camping case. in which we were interveners in support of ihe Dartmoor National Park Authority. In 2023, the landowners who brought the case had105t in th¢ court of appeal and they then applied to the supreme court. At the year's end the outcome was awaited.
Our general see18ry appeared in support of our mefflr the Gower Society at a public inquiry in Swanseffj objecting to the inequitable exchange of part of Clyne Common to enable dev¢loprnent for housing. We celebrated an agreement with Clinton Devon Estates which pledged lo dedicate an area of exchanged common land to public access under section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000- otherwi5¢. the access right would not have taken effect until the access maps were reviewed. We backed the New Forest Cornmoners, Defence Association in fighting the unlawful enclosure of common land. In the end the defendant. under pressure from Natural England as well as the court action, removed the fence. Our enforcement officer. Jess TyleT. ¢ommenced actions at two sites in southern England against unlawful inclosures on commons. Applicants for WOTks on, or exchange of, comrnon land notified us of 67 cases. We rdised objections to 31 of them. Of the 66 statutory applications for Works which were detennined during the year, 42 were granted with no objection frorn u5. and 16 were granted despite our objection. These included temporary fences on a nurnber of commons in Cumbria, a soil bund on Memw Downs. Surrey" parking access on Redhill and Earlswood Common. sUry' electricity works on Laindon Common, Essex. restoration of opencast site for testing for rdilways on Mynydd y Drum Colnmon in Powys and Neath Port Talbot. field access on Clapham Comrnon, North Yorkshire. and exchange of land for a slorm drain on Upper Ham Common in Worcestershire. Five applications were rejected following our advice. These were the exchange of land at Cockernhoe village green. Herts for construction of an a¢eess road. fencing on Shereford Common, Norfolk, tamiac with speed humps on a bridleway on Witley Common. Surrey. fencing on Stringers Common at Worplesdon in Surrey. and exchange of cornrnon at Water Orton. Warwickshire. for a school access-road. Three application8 to which had objected, were withdrawn: the exchange of laThJ at Wolfscastle Green in Pembrokeshire (where we have inslead applied to register the proposed replacetnent land)- a new access road across Middleham Busks in North Yorkshire, and the extension to a car park on Bucklebury Common in West Berkshire (which did not need consent). Our c&se officers Hugh Crnddock and Nicola Hodgson delivered two online training packages on common5 and greens. To protect and enhance publlc rlghts of way and publlc access The Henley otTice dealt with 325 requests for advice on paths, and our local correspondents pursued many others. The year started with publicity for a survey conducted by the BBC which showed that paths are blocked at 32,000 points, ie an obstruclion every four and a half miles. Our general secretary Kate Ashbrook. arKi Comwall local ¢OTrespondent Lucy Wilson, re interviewed at()ut this on television in January. Our new legal-action fund proved invaluable. We used it to support our Membe in their campaigns lo save Waunarlwydd playing rteld in Svnnsea. Stoke Lodge playing field in Bristol. Wilmoi Garden5, Plymouih: and Clyne Comrnon on Gower. The outcomes on these are awaited.
We have also pursued our own cases. We have challenged a wrongly-made tempornry trdffic regulation order in West Northamplonshire (outcome awaited). With other organisations we threatened Comwall Council with court action for it5 failure to mainlain an accurate gIster of applications to add paths to the maTrthe council capitulated. with ihe result ihal it and other authorities are now adopting the correct procedure. Also acting with other or8anisations, we secured the removal of unlawful gales from a restricted byway in Stsnwick St John, North Yorkshi. and we caused an order for a byway open to all iraffic in Hotham. East Riding of Yorkshi, lo be quashed when it was wrongly confim]ed as a bridleway without the changes being advertised. We are backing our local corresp)ndenls in serving notices under section 130A of the Highways Act 1980 where local authorities are failing to carry out their duties to r¢open blocked paths. At the end of the year our Wiltshire correspondeni had submitted his claim against blocked byways to the mpAgistrdtes' court. with support fmtn our enforcement officer. Last year we were dismayed when the (Ihen) environment secretary, TheTèse Coffey. brought into force the deadline for historic-path applications in England, setting it back to 2031 but omitting any regulations to except routes from extinguishment. Throughout the year w¢ pressed ministers to repeal this deadline and, after the election, joined other user groups in sending a detailed letter to the new minister, Bamness Hayman. explaining ihe diificulties of introducing the exceptions lo the deadline and instead advocating repeal of the deadline. We N4rre delighted when. on Boxing Day, the government aTmoun¢ed its intention to repeal 'when parliamentary time allows.. The Welsh governmeni has also pledged to Tepeal the cut-off (which in Wales remains at 2026). Kate Ashbrook continued to serve on the rights-of_way stakeholders, working group. supported by Helen Clayton and Hugh Crdddock wl)o are also members of its task forces. however, these Fx)dies remained donnant through the year. In Wales we conlinued to work with the cross-paty group for outdoor activity. and to press the Welsh governmenl to test some of the proposa15 in its access-refomi package on its owm land. We continued to call for agri¢ultUTe payments to include funds for new and improved access. We updated and relaunched OUT inf0mtIOn sheet, Paih Paraphernalia, written by our trustee and local correspondent Chris Beney. This advises on acceptable struclures on public paths. We put this into practice on our own land, Parliament Piece in Kenilworth. where we worked with our lessee Warwick District Council, and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, to replace all the stiles and gates with structures to the British Standard. Our general secretary swjke al the 92 anniversary celebrdtion of the Kinder Scout mass tTespass, the fiftieth-anniversary lunch of the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society, the final event of the All our Footpaths project, and a meeting of the Wiltshire and Swindon local access forum, among other events. Our case officer Helen Clayton gave three online sessions to local wuncils and assisted with two days of restoring-the-re¢oTd training. To secure the creation of new publSc paths and open spaces Two definitive-map modification applications were made in the society's name by one of our East Sussex local cotr¢5pondents. Chris Smith.
We continued to encourage local authorities and other landowners voluntarily to register their land as town or village green, thereby giving local people rights of ¢allOn there and protecting it from development. We were pleased wilh a voluntary registration at One Tree Hill. Long Ditton in Surrey (ured by our local correspondent Rodney Whittaker). and of seven others in which we were not involved. We pressed the new Minister for Housing. Communities and Local Government to includ¢ a provision mandating develope to register new greens as part of development, and secured a meeting wilh one of her officia15 to explain this. Our call for new greens was included as one of ten asks in A MO Natural Capital coalition's manifesto for the London mayoral election. We signed up to the Outdoors For All coalition's manifesto and attended a pre-election receplion in parliarnent to promote our joint calls for more and better access. Our generdl secreiary spoke at a rally on the Isle of Wighi to press for the route of the England Coast Path to go along the beach at Osbome House managed by English Heritage. Our case officer Nicola Hodgson lobbied for improvements to the National Planning Policy Framework. which was rcvi¢wed during th¢ year, calling to strengthen the protection for open spaces and local green space. We were dtsappointed when the revised version was published in December with none of our proposals included. However, celebrated the designalion of a local green space at Whitehall Road, Blackburn, having helped a member to achieve this. We advised more than 66 members and other inquirers alM)Ut clatming greens. To protect the beauty of the countryside This was the 75, anniversary of the ground-breaking National Parks and A¢¢ess to the Countryside Act 1949. Our genernl secretary joined a celebratory event at Malham youth hostel in November. where a pl4ue to the architect of national parks and of ihe hostel, John Dower, was unveiled. There she was able to meet the new access minister, Baroness (Sue) Hayman. We worked wilh the Campaign for Nalional Parks and the Alliance of Welsh Designated Landscapes. and strongly SUPFK)rted th¢ proposal foT a new national park in north-east Wales. We continued to OPFM)se plans by Skyline for a massive tourist development on Kilvey Hill. north•e&st of Swanse4 which disregarded unrecorded access rights and public- access land. and we objected to the ¢oun¢il'5 proposed appropriation of open space. Our general secretary spoke at a hilliop rally in March. We fought a development on Brent River Park in Ealing. and our local correswndent. Marion Law. helped to pvent an unsightly m&sl on Mucklewick Hill. Shropshire. Organisational management We now have 44 local correspondents. In 2024 we appointed Katherine Evans (Essex), Kiernn Foster {Gateshead MBC), Richard Price (west Ceredigion), a1 Ashley Red5ell (Spelthorne Borough, Surrey). We were sad to lose Peter Kidner. Helen Slade. Gerry Stewart, and Graham Wansthll and thank them for their exemplary service. We once again ran a twoaY trdining course for local correspondents in the Lickey Hills, Worcestershire, in October, which was LKJth valuable and enjoyable.
We held our annual general meeting in London with an online option. In total 38 rnembers attended, and other5 participated by proxy. Voting was undertaken online. with l 00 votes cast. Tara-jane Sutcliffe was re*lected to the board of trustees after her first ihree-year tern. We We sony that Simon Hunt stood down from our board of trustees. In the spring, following advertisernent arKI interviews, the trustees co-opted James Lean and Andrew Packman to the board. We moumed the deaths of our fornier chairnian Tim Crowther, tntee John Lavery, and Gloucestershire local correspondent Geny Stewart. We issued 43 p$$ releases and published three editions of our magazine Open Space. Staff and members appeared at leasl eight tirnes on the rndio, and seven times on lelevision, and contributed to three videos. At the year's end we were wjised to start a revamp of our website having done much preliminary work. Our digital marketing and content manager. Abbie Cavendish, continued her detailed research with new audiences, increasing our influence and reach, and therefore our campaigning clout. On 31 December, membership stood at 2,406, a net gain of 64. This number is comprised of 1.798 individuals. and 608 organisations and local authorities. We welcomed 305 new voting members and 27 members WIK) had lapsed and rejoined. 26 members died during the year and a fiirther 234 lapsed. In March our membership secretary Jane Abey left and LY McKean, our office assistant. took on the role in addilion to her existing one. We were sad that our finance officer Lucie Henwood left us in May after seven years, but were pled io welcome Glynis Smith in her place. In April we celebrated 40 years in w)st of our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, and in October 25 years for Nicola HOdgs0 our e officer for open 5pa¢es and greens. We were sad to learn shortly after ihai Nicola wished to retire in January, and we began to search for a replacement. Our dedicated staff, Kate Ashbrook, Abbie CavendislL Helen Clayton, Hugh Craddock, Sardh Hacking, Nicola Hodgson, Frances Kerner, Lucy McKean, Glynis Smith. and Jess Tyler have had another busy year. We thank them warnily for their commitment and success in furthering the work of the society. Financial review Financial operations In 2024 the society's income was primarily split across investment turnS, rnemkrship subscriptions and donations. Donations and legacies increased by £57,304 primarily due to legacies generously left to us we a extremely gratefiil and will use this money to ensure that future generations will enjoy common& open spaces, and paths in towns and countryside throughout England and Wales Investment returns have been positive with an increase of £14.604. This Wds due to improved returns on cash and investments as well as an increase in reserves following a large legacy in 2022. Budgeted increases in expenditure during the year were planned via recruilment and increased legal expenditure to further our charitsble objectives.
The status of our underlying assets within the Charifund irnproved over the year with unrealised gains of £24.665 this financial year. Plans are in place to diversify our investments to ensure we maximise returns whilst ensuring trustees understand the investment risks taken. Overall. this resulted in a planned net deficit of £182.077 (2022 Was a deficit of 210,564). Despite the deficit, trustee5 are very happy with the financial health of the society. Legacies recognised in 2024 Peter Robert Allen. Joan Gillian GosticL William D C Lee. Julie Ann Mountain, Donald Perriam, Sidney Riley. We are grateful for all legacies and donatiOn5, and your gift to Ihe society will help to ensure that fijture generdtions will enjoy commons. open spaces, and paths, in towns and countryside throughout England and Wales. Please see our website: www.oss.o .uklwhat- infom]ation. OU-can(lC ac]e for more Reserves policy The reserves policy ha5 been kept UTKler close review throughout the year by trustees to ensure it w&$ flexible enough to respond to extemal economic pressures and remained fil for purpose. Strategic [cry¢ fund: thc sIety'S rU1n8 revenue is not sufficient to meet all running costs so it is the policy of ihe trustees to mainlain a strategic serVe fund sufficient to cover the expected outgoings of the society for four years. Following a review of the budgeL anticipating an overdll deficil, the strategic reserve fund was revalued to £663,136 for January 2024. This is a decrease of £284,923 from 2023 to free up reserves to help support our charitsble objectives. The applications reserve fund. set up in 2019. currently stands al £216.000. The figure is kept under review annually, based on experience and analysis of the ¢osls actually incurred by the society for commons and rightS4)f-way applications. Trustees acknowledge this reserve is essential since the costs associated with taking applications to Completion are variable, but can be considerable and can run over a long period. Conclusion Once again, this society has had an excellent year of achievemenl. We have seen the benefit of earlier proactive work to record over 200 hectar¢s (500 ac$) of Common land giving rights of access to the public on foot. and in many places also on horseback. We have again taken on or assisted others lo take on ihose who interfere with public rights ofa¢¢ess on ¢ornmons. grffns and paths with a high dege of success. And we've worked with those who were willing to discuss, to find solutions that met our objectives and the landowners., to provide public benefit. The announcement by Defra on Boxing Day to the effect that the govemment planned to repeal the Path Extinguishment Day provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Acl 2000 was ih¢ icing on our society's 2024 cake. We shall tske this as a full
success once it is removed from the statute EK)ok, but the policy statement w&$ a welcome first step. l thank our dedicated staff, increasing number of local corresp)ndents, and members, and all who hav¢ helped in support of the society and its activities. I commend this report to our members. Signed Phil Wadey (chairman, on behalf of the tnbstees) Equality, inclusivity, and diversity ststement We shall seek to undersiand, and where appropriate. reach out to those paTts of society that are under-represented within our membership. staff, volunleers or trustees, and potential memkrs outside our existing nelwork. We have an objective of leamin8 from relevanl groups when extending our reach. Our vision is that everyone can enjoy publie paths aj open spaces through the exercise of th¢ir rights. We work to protect, increase, enhance and champion the common land. village greens, public paths, and open spaces in EnglaTKI and Wales. and the public's rights to enjoy them. We want to see a thriving and beautiful countryside, cities, lowns, and villages to which everyone has access and which all can benefit, for their well- being and to participate fully in the enjoym¢nt. enhancemenL and protection of nature. We want these places lo inclusive and diverse for those who live there and those who visit them.
A5 the thartys trustees of treamiparry l•MI 0 its fty the purposes of (xmryany law) you We responsible 2rTh Hamng sati5ned th the finanthl Statem of the company Xe not rewired to be allted urlder Part 16 of the Act and are ew for examknth. I rewt In respect of my examlnation of your charws finandal ststements as (arritd out UTthr sedicffi 145 ofthe Ch¥ft*s 2011 {the .2011 ACYI. In ¢arrylrvd Ixit mv shthea)mpasrlts5 Income exteedEd £250JXXJy)urexarniner rw5t be a meM1r of a body ed in se£tlon 145 of the 20U I crmfffm that l to urnlwlake the examinatth because l am a member of tr Inste of ,aJ4• 6fP,AU, CT4 Nltholas M BFP, U CTA VUl¥s Hayward UP za
Theo Number: 07846516 Statement of Rnanclal Artfvltles Sndudl ItKome and E ndltwe For thè Year Ended 31 Oecembef 2024 Endty*ment Totsl fd$ funds 2024 Totsl fvnd5 2023 funds funds Donations lint. Gift Aid) and1È8acies 122.564 122.%4 65,257 Charitable activities Subscriptions Appeols 78,860 47,974 78.860 47.974 80.05S 28.276 Othèr trading a¢tivities Sole ofpublicotions. Trusts Royufties ett. 6.774 6.774 6,683 Investments 68.140 31A19 1.512 101.471 86.867 Total 324.312 3L819 1,512 357.643 267.138 Expenthure on: Raislng funds Otherpublications ¢gSts 768 450 Charitable actiwties Staff soluries and related costs Premises costs Administrotion costs Locolcorrespondents Open Spoce ond website Othercosts Governancecosts 287,299 24.6% 37.757 6.394 21528 126.888 11.240 37326 325,225 24,696 44,451 6,394 22.528 129,083 11,240 286.408 16.501 35,504 6,636 15,737 80.4SS 15.491 2.195 Total 517.570 46.815 564,385 457.182 GainllLossl on investment assets li 10.810 13,227 628 24.665 120.5201 Net lexpendlturelllrKom• 1182.448) 11.7691 1140 1182.0771 1210,5641 33,331 131A191 11.5121 1149,1171 133.5881 628 1182,0771 1210.5641 Recondllatoon of funds: Toial funds brou1 forward 1.8SI.S08 24,109 2.114.097 2.324,661 Total funds carrled lorwanl 1.702.391 204.892 24.737 1,932,020 2.114.097 Pa8e 9
Fhwidal •t31 3L1124 31.1113 Tan8lblèfmd•ssets IrNe5tments 8.179 777,350 5,610 852,685 270296 7BS,529 1,128,591 39.568 892.595 250.025 35,7frfJ 934,904 24.999 995,603 Shortterm dtpots C•5h at in h3rn1 17 1182.188 Lbthlitie Credito. du• wtthln IYear 135.697) 110,0971 1.146.491 985506 L93I020 2,114,097 918385 216.(KK 14,973 5S3X133 948,059 226.OCrf) 23.OS9 654,3 Restrt¢ted fvr 161.513 43.379 196.203 42.277 Enthjwmertfvnth: 24,737 24,109 L932mO 2.114,097 The tharltable comny1$ entIldIOt1ft1rn wthrsectkn 477 ofthe Comwleskt2ri)6 fortheipar ended 31 Decem201 (al erwrk¥th•tthe charttab oyry¥ry&eep54crtyxth¢fecords which comthTIth secti$ 386 •nd 3WI afthe compIe$A 2(M16 (tsl prewrryflnwKld whxh ¥iewofthe ofaffairs tharitse companya5 •t the end of &ithfinlIa1 ar aKlof its ¢y defot for each financial ¥In •¢conlan wf(h the reqrements 394 aThl 395 •xl Thkh rttthse compty wlth the quIrernents ofthe cnrIe$Art 2(Th relinKtosmall thwtt•ble ¥Jiththe Financial Reporknr¢Standxd appk•ble in the Unlted Irydom and RurOf IrelaKI IFRS 1021. - 2025 wue ed on Its behaifbr. C P DWley. Chman S Bakn.TreayJrer P<e io
en ered Com Nurnber: 07846516 Notes to the financial statements For the Year Ended 31 ember 2024 ACCOUTrlllNG POiThS The principal accountirva policies adopted. judgements and kty sources of estlmatlon for uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows: lal Ba51s of preparatlon The financial statements have been prepared in accordan with Ac¢ountin8 and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Pra¢ti¢e applicable to tharities preparin8 their accounts in accordance wlth the Financlal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021- ICharitie5 SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Stsndard apICable in the UK and Republic Of Ireland IFRS 102) and the Compan1 Act 2LX6. The Open Spaces Society meets the definition of a public benefrt entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabllltles are initially rewrhised at historical c05t Of transauion value unless OtheThvise stated in the relevant accounti policy note(sl. Ibl Income re¢oÉnltlon polkies Items of income are recognised and induded in the finanaal ststements when all of the followin8 criteria are met: the charity has entiVement to the fvnds: any perfom)ance conditions attathed to the Itemlsl of income have been met or are fully within the ¢ontrol of the tharity,. there Is sufficient rtaInty that receipt of the income is considered probable, and the arnount can be measured reliabty. For legades, entitlement is taken as the earliest of: the date on which the charity is aware that probate has been granted: the estste has been finali5ed and notification has been made by the executorfsl to the charity that a dtstribution 11 be made: or - when a distribution is recer¥ed from the estate. Receipt of a legacy. in whole or in part. is onty considered probable when the amount can be measured reliablv and the charity has been notified of the exeoJtorfs intentK)n ro make a distribution. ¢Xher ¥oluntsry hKom¢ Voluntsry income received by way of subsuiption. donations and appeats induded in the financlal statements when re¢*vable and the amount can be measured reliabty by the charity. Donated senri¢es The value of servlces prNded by volunteers has not been included in these flnancial statements. Interest reolvable Interest on funds held on deposit is Irded when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity- this is normally upon notifi(ation of the interest paid or payable by the bank. {c) Empendtture and Irrecovernble VAT Expenditure is reco8nised oft there is a legal or constTuttNe obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured rellably. Expenditure Is classified under the followrvd activity headings= Expendlture on Charitable activities comprise those costs incurred by the charity In the delivery of its actlvltles and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both Costs that (an be allocated directly to wch activities and those costs of an indlrect nature necessary to support them. Govemance costs include those costs associated with the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and indude the independent examlner's fees and costs linked to the strateglc management of the tharity- Irrecoverable VAT is (har8ed as a cost against the acti%Aty for which the expenditurewas incurred. Page 11
ens stered Com Plumber: 07846516 Notes to the finandal statements contin For the Year Ended 31 December 2024 ACCOU14TING POUCIES {conllr)uedl Idl Kxed Assets Fixed assets lexduding investments) are stated at cost less Mlated depre¢iatSon. Depreciatlon is provided 50 as to write off the asset over four years. Investments held as fixed assets are rerdlued at mid-market value at the tsalan sheet date and the gain or loss taken io the Statement of Financial Activi {el Fund Accountl 6eneMI fvnd - This is an unrestricted fund which is to be invested for the beneflt of the s¢xiety but femains available to the trustees to be used for the objects of the lety or for making allocations to the Strategic Reserve fvnd. Strategic Reserve fvnd - This is an unrestricted fvnd derfved from allocations from the General fund. It Is the policy of the trustees to keep 48 months. reserve in th fund, so that it should hold suffident to cover the society's following 48 months, net outgoings. and to allow for an orderfy dosure of the soaety thereafter. should this become necessary. In line with this pdicy. the fund stOj at £918.385 at 31 December 2024 This furtd is to be invested for the benefft of the souety but MainS available to the trustees to transfer back to the General fund In case of need. Appkntlons ReseNe Fund - This 15 an unrestricted fvnd derived from allocations from the General Fund. The fvnds within this reserve are to be used to see through to completion applications to feRlster rlghts of way or common land where the application has been made in the name of the Society. Some applications are determined quickly and without significant cost, but for some there rnay be many years between an application being made and its conclusion. The Trustees consider that it is appropriats to hold a reserve for this purpose $0 that protracted appllcatlons be supported. CtrYe¢hJoftesfvnd - The income from this restrirted fvnd may be used for the objects ofthe so¢lety that would not normally be met from the General fund. Candy fvnd - This is a re5trirted fvnd to be used onty for the general charitable purposes of the Open Spaces Soclety. It Is not to be used for admintstrative expenses. Buxtonfvnd- The income from this fund is transferred to the Society's General fvnd. IX)NATIONS IINC GIFT AID) AND LEGAOES 31.1124 31.IL23 Legaaes Donations Gift excluding Gwft on appeals 104,260 5,653 12,651 42,437 7,545 15,275 122,564 65,257 APPEALS AND GIFf AID Funds ralsed by appeaLs ovef ihe year also 8Lwated related income brya Gift Aid. Appeal Glft Ald on donatlons Total Autumn 2023 appeal Autumn 2024 appeal 26.234 13.433 5.251 3.056 31,485 16,489 39.667 8.307 47,974 IIICOME FROM MER TRADING ACtIVlTIES 31.12.24 31.12.23 Sales of publications Special projects and trainin8 Trusts, royafties, commiwon etc 1,319 4,830 625 1,208 4.647 828 6,774 6.683 Page 12
Notes to the finandal ststements iontlrtued the Year Ended 31 December 2024 INVESTMENT If4COME 31.IL24 3L12.23 Listed investments Cash investments 50.033 51.438 50.805 36.062 101.471 86,867 srAFF SALARIES 31.12.24 31.12.23 Gross Salaries Employees National Insuran Contributions Employer Pension Contributions Recruitment Costs 288.691 22.958 13,052 524 252,562 18.892 11,701 3.253 325,225 286.408 Employees with emoluments exceedin8 the Charity Commission reportiro threshold of £60... Nil12023". NIII The average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year wa5 six12023- five) PREM15ESCOSTS 31.1224 31.12.23 Rent Li8ht and Heat Repairs and Maintenance Cleaning Insuran Raies and Water Consumables 7,925 2.518 1.149 1,883 1,891 2.951 7,367 1,412 3,669 879 149 24,696 16,501 ADMINISTRATIOII COSTS 31.IL24 31.12.23 IT Costs Postage, Telephone arKI Stationery Travel and Subsistence Depreciation of Computer/offi equipment Priniin8 and Photocopyin8 Appeal Costs Other ExperhSes 12,019 8,339 4.270 3,408 2,8C(I 2,972 10,643 12,103 7.881 3,535 2,602 2,754 2,357 4.272 44,451 35.504 Page 13
Numbèr: 07846516 Notss to the Itnanclal stat•ments Ya•r En 31 contlnu•d 2024 OTHER COSTS 31.12.24 31.12.23 Legal Costs Marketing Commons Reglstratlon Project Subscriptions Donations and Grants Legacy mailin8 to the Law Society Confèrences and Training Books and Maps 66.941 45,764 2,195 11.646 1,301 430 761 45 28,617 34,207 3.965 9,945 2.700 430 576 15 129.083 80,455 io GOVERNANCE COSTS al..14 31.12.23 Independent examiner's fees linduding tsxation service5 and underprovision ftr prioryearsl AGM and trustees Other professional fees 6,213 7,865 3,163 5,715 1,911 11,240 15,491 li GAINSIILOSSESI ON INVESTMENT ASSETS Unrealised gainl Ilossl revaluation of investments 24,665 120,5201 12 ANALYSIS OF FUNDS owl balan Plet Sncomel lexphdltyre) Transfers Closlb¥ balance Unrestrlcted funds Strategic reserve fvrKI Applications Serve fund Legal actton fund General fvnd 948,059 226.C 23,059 654.390 129,6741 iio,¢)NJl 918,385 216,OCX) 14,973 553,033 18,0861 1174,3621 73,005 R¢s¢t*d funds Candy fund Creeth Jor$fund 196.203 42.277 155221 3.753 129.1681 12,6511 161,513 43,379 Endowmehtlunds Buxton fund 24.109 2,140 11.5121 24.737 2,114,097 1182.0771 1,932,020 Page 14
a$ Socl Number: 07846516 Com Notesto the finan in For the Year Ended 31 December 2024 13 TANGIBLE FIXEDASSETS Computer equlpment equlpment Total At l January 2024 Additions Dlsposals 10,936 3,221 50,116 2,756 61,052 5.977 At 31 December 2024 14,157 52,872 67,029 At l January 2024 Charge for the year Disposa15 10.753 737 44.689 2,671 55.442 3.408 At 31 December 2024 11,49) 47.360 58,850 2,667 5,512 8,179 Netbook value at31 Decernber2023 183 5.427 5,610 INVESTMENTS 2024 AT MARKEf VAWE I JANUARY Fund release Net investment 8ainsll105ses) 8S2,685 Iirx).cooi 24.665 873,205 120,5201 AT MARKff VALUE 31 DECEMBER 777,350 852,685 There were no investment assets outside the UK. The investrnents are held primarity to provide an investment return for the Charity. The historical cost of ab0 investments at 31 December 2024 15 £620.34912023: £720,349) 15 LONG TERM OEP05tIs 2024 2023 Flagstone 270.296 16 2024 2023 Accrued income and Gift aid Profwlonal Indemnrty Insuran prepaid 39,S68 34,709 991 39,568 35,7fJ) Page 15
Number: 516 to the fina131 st*è ontinyed For the Ye¥ Ended 31 De(eM 2024 17 SHORTTERM DEPOSITS 31.1124 31.12.23 Flagstone NatlonwSde Instant Savef Furness Building Society CAF Gold Ac¢tyJnt 885,571 681,797 87,741 85,0 80,366 7.024 892,595 934,904 CREDITORS: AMNTS FAWNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.12.24 31.12.23 Trade Creditors Accruals Other taxes and social security costs 19.SS8 8.314 7.825 4.662 5,435 35.697 10,097 19 PARUAMEKf PIECE The society owft5 this land in Kenilworth whith is ased. under a 99-year lease, to Warwick District Counul and managed locally. No value has been placed on this land in these financial statements. REMUNEPATION OFTRusfEES None of the trustees received any remuneration12023- nill. During the year books with a value of £1 were 501d to the society by one of the Trustees. An a8gre8ate of £25712023.. £9171 was reimbursed to two12023- two) trustees for expenses incurred in relation to the %Kiety'5 adivities. indudin8 attending meetings andlor actin8 a5 local correspondents. e16