Community Action Network
Annual Report
1st April 2023 – 31[st] March 2024
Registered Charity Number 1161986
Introduction
Heathfield Park Community Action Network was formed on July 22[nd] 2014 to replace and continue the work of the Heathfield Park Local Neighbourhood Partnership (Heathfield Park LNP), covering the Heath Town, New Park Village and Springfield areas of Wolverhampton.
As one of the 14 Local Neighbourhood Partnerships established by Wolverhampton City Council across Wolverhampton in 2006, Heathfield Park LNP’s purpose was to share a vision for the Heathfield Park Neighbourhood; to develop a collaborative approach to improving local services; to provide a voice for the local community and to make collective decisions about local issues.
In 2012 Heathfield Park LNP gained forum status for the purpose of creating a Neighbourhood Plan for the area under the Localism Act 2011, which was made in July 2014 following a successful examination and referendum.
Following council budget cuts in April 2014, council financial and officer support was withdrawn, necessitating the reformation of the Heathfield Park LNP as an independent organisation.
To enable this to happen, the Council offered a grant of £10,000.00. The grant was awarded in October 2014 and was paid quarterly over two years.
It was agreed by the Heathfield Park LNP Board to re-constitute as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose only voting members are trustees, and re-name the organisation as the Heathfield Park Community Action Network . A successful application to the Charity Commission was made and the organisation was entered on the Register of Charities on 3[rd] June 2015.
As part of the legacy of Headstart (a nationwide initiative aimed at addressing mental health and well-being among 10 - 16year olds, funded by the National Lottery.), the need to work collaboratively across the area was identified to be able to secure future major project funding. With this in mind a consortium between Heathfield Park CAN, New Park Village Activities Network, Park Village Education Centre, Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara (Cannock Road) , Stratton Street Community Centre and New Park Village Football Development was proposed . It was agreed that Heathfield Park CAN should become the lead organisation for the consortium. This required minor amendments to the objects of HPCAN’s constitution, agreed by the Charity Commission 8[th] November 2018. An agreement was drawn up, and the Community Action Network Consortium Agreement (CAN Consortium) document signed by all parties on 18[th] December 2018.
There are currently 10 trustees (max. 12) :-
Mr David Cope Mr William Nicholls Mr Daniel Williams Smith Mrs Elizabeth Cope Mr Yusuf Shafi Mr Joseph Jackson Rev. Richard Merrick Mr Joshua Charles Mrs Gail Reynolds Mrs Bal Atwal
Aims and Objectives
The following aims and objectives were agreed:-
Aims
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To promote, for the public benefit the urban regeneration of Heathfield Park, an area of social and economic deprivation.
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To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with people in Heathfield Park who are socially excluded on the grounds of their youth, age, ethnic origin, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstance, to relieve the needs of such people and assist them to integrate into society.
Objectives
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To bring together key public agencies, representatives of business, community and voluntary sectors providing a local network group that encourages and enables all to participate more effectively with the wider community.
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To increase, or co-ordinate opportunities for the socially excluded to engage with service providers, to enable those providers to adapt services to better meet the needs of the community.
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To promote the relief of poverty in the area.
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To promote the preservation of buildings or sites of historic or architectural importance as identified in the Neighbourhood plan
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To promote the provision of recreational facilities for the public at large or those who by reason of their youth, age, ethnic origin, infirmity or disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances, have need of such facilities.
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To encourage the protection or conservation of the local environment
The work to be delivered
Heathfield Park CAN aims to deliver the aims and objectives by:-
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Developing a web site for the area as a communication network and to promote the area.
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Supporting local community groups especially those working with youth, identifying gaps in provision and seeking solutions.
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Supporting an annual Family Fun Day held in Heath Town Park.
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Facilitating consultation events for the area.
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Organising local public meetings for residents to disseminate information, agree on local priorities and receive feed back.
Heathfield Park CAN, as the designated Heathfield Park Neighbourhood Plan Forum, also has three further important roles:-
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In promoting and ensuring all developments as they come forward in the area are in line with the Neighbourhood Plan through consultation both with developers, planning officers and local residents.
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Ensuring all section 106 monies raised are allocated in line with the Plan’s priorities for the benefit of the area.
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Taking a lead, in partnership with other organisations, in improving local community facilities .
Activity
The trustees normally meet bi-monthly, and at other times when needed. The following areas are discussed:-
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Finance
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Neighbourhood Plan Monitoring.
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Community Engagement.
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Project development ‘Together for Heathfield Park’
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CAN Consortium development.
During the year, the trustees’ meetings have continued to be combined with the CAN Consortium to facilitate the management of the ‘Together for Heathfield Park’ project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The full costed proposal was submitted in April 2022. In July 2022 we received confirmation that the grant application had been approved for £284,000.00 over three years.
The three-year project aims to build on what was already being delivered by CAN Consortium members and develop a variety of new ones for all ages across the areas of Heath Town, New Park Village and Park Village. These are aimed at addressing issues of isolation, mental wellbeing and financial, which have increased during the pandemic, building back stronger communities and greater social cohesion.
The project was launched in November 2022, as reported last year. In October 2023, a first year report of the project’s progress was submitted to the Lottery and was well received on the progress being made by all involved.
Plans for Heath Town Baths and Library have fallen through. Although planning permission for the building was submitted mid-2023 and approved by the council, Gaddu Associates were unable to fulfil their commitment to the project and have withdrawn. The hope to start restoration work late 2023 early 2024 did not happen.
Looking Ahead
The continued development of the CAN Consortium remains a priority for the forthcoming year. The management and monitoring of the ‘Together for Heathfield Park’ project continues to be a major focus. We will also be looking at developing a future bid to the Lottery to enable member organisations to secure funding for future projects for the area, and continue to identify issues and needs, manage funding opportunities and look for ways to improve sustainability.
We also look to continue working with the council to find a future use for the Heath Town Baths. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan and Master Plan for the Heath Town Estate and maintain channels of communication and to work with Council Officers to ensure matters are progressed.
HEATHFIELD PARK COMMUNITY AcfioN NEfwoRK A¢¢ounts for year ending 31st March 2024 Income. expendlture and balances tor the year endlng 31st March 2024 Bank Cash Income Gazebo hire Main Grants E 93,616.68 Total £ 93,616.68 £ Expendlture Insurance Promotion Stationery & printing Community Group Bank Charges Total 342.40 800.00 £ 12.00 £ 86,616.64 72.00 £ 87,831.04 £ 12.00 Balances expendlture over Income 5,785.64 -£ 12.00 Balance brought forward £ 14,005.79 £291.85 8alan¢e taken forward (Unity Bank) £ 19,791.43 £ 279.85 * Cash held by Chair Signed: Date-
HEATHFIELD PARK COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK Accounts for year ending 31st March 2024 Bank transactlons for year endlng 31st March 2024 Balante blf £ 14,005.79 Date Descrlption 11/0412023 Main Grants 1710412023 Aladdins Education 17104/2023 NPVAN 0210512023 Hope 0210512023 Stratton St C C 02/0512023 NPV Football Development 2610612023 Sarbat C S Net 30106/2023 Service charges 30109/2023 Service charges 0411012023 16Twelve 0611012023 Main Grants 3011012023 Hope 3011012023 Stratton St C C 3011012023 NPV Football Development 30/1012023 NPVAN 0811112023 Access Insurance 05112/2023 Aladdins Education 2211212023 Sarbat C S Net 3111212023 Service charges 3110312024 Service charges Amount Balance £ 46,808.36 £ 60,814.15 -£ 7,500.00 £ 53,314.15 7,550.00 £ 45,764.15 -E 6.058.32 £ 39.705.83 -£ 7.200.00 £ 32,505.83 -£ 7,500.00 £ 25.005.83 -£ 7,500.00 £ 17,505.83 18.00 £ 17,487.83 18.00 £ 17,469.83 800.00 £ 16.669.83 £ 46,808.32 £ 63.478.15 -£ 6,058.32 £ 57,419.83 -£ 7,200.00 £ 50,219.83 -£ 7,500.00 £ 42,719.83 -£ 7,550.00 £ 35,169.83 342.40 £ 34,827.43 -£ 7,500.00 £ 27,327.43 -£ 7,500.00 £ 19,827.43 18.00 £ 19,809.43 18.00 £ 19,791.43
HEATHFIELD PARK COMMUNITY AUION NETWORI Accounts for year ending 315t March 2024 Petty cash transartlons for year ending 315t March 2024 Income Date Amount Received from Notes No transactions Total Expendlture Date Amount Pald to 0711112023 £ 12.00 Theworks Notes Paper Total £ 12.00
HEATHFIELO PARK COMMUNITY AcnoN NETWORK Accounts for yeaT ending 31st March 20Z4 Income for year ending 315t March 2024 Date Amount Received from 0510412023 £ 46.808.36 Main Grants 0411012023 £ 46,808.32 Main Grants Notes National Lottery Community Fund National Lottery Community Fund Total £ 93,616.68
HEATHFIELD PARK COMMUNITY ACTION NEfwoRK Accounts for year ending 31st March 2024 Expendlture for year ending 315t March 2024 Date Amount Paid to 1111212023 E 7,500.00 SARBAT Community Support Net 3011112023 £ 7,500.00 Park Village Education Centre 2511012023 £ 342.40 Access Insurance 1611012023 £ 7,550.(XJ New Park Village Activitie5 Network 2811012023 E 7,500.00 NPV Football Development 2511012023 £ 7.200.(1 Stratton Street Community Centre 1911012023 £ 6,058.32 Hope Community 0710912023 £ 800.00 16Twelve 0110612023 £ 7.500.00 SARBAT Community Support Net 0210512023 £ 7.500.00 NPV Football Development 2610412023 £ 7.200.00 Stratton Street Community Centre 2610412023 £ 6,058.32 Hope Community 1710412023 £ 7,550.00 New Park Village Activities Network 2110312023 £ 7,500.00 Park Village Education Centre 3010612023 £ 18.00 Bank charge5 3010912023 £ 18.00 Bank charges 3111212023 £ 18.00 Bank charges 3110312024 £ 18.00 Bank charges Total £ 87,831.04 Type Insurance Prornotion Community Group Bank Charges 7.5(K).00 7.SLK).QO £ 342.40 7.550.00 7,500.00 7,200.00 6,058.32 800.00 7,500.00 7.500.00 7,200.00 6.058.32 7.550.00 7,500.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 18.00 72.00 £ 342.40 £ 800.00 £ 86.616.64 £
Independent Examination Heathfield Park Community Action Network (HPCAN) For the accounting period ending 315t March 2024 Having examined the books of accounts and statement of affairs of Heathfield Park Community Action Network, I hereby state that they represent accurate records of affairs of the organisation for the period stated. The accounts have been produced on income and expenses basis in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting of Charities: SORP applicable to Charites preparing uccounts in occordunce with the Financial Reporting Stgndord of Smoller Entities (FRSSEJ 2015 Signed by- 14 19 1011 Mr David Collins Independent Examiner 8 Inchlaggan Road Fallings Park Wolverhampton WV 10 9QZ