Annual Report to Members 2024 including Notice of AGM
Trustee’s Report to Members 2024
The Chislehurst Society CIO, Registered Charity, No. 1166276, has its address at The Old Chapel, Queens Passage, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AP and is established under a constitution adopted in April 2016.
Trustees of the CIO and members of the Board during 2024 and up to the date of this report were:
Joanna Friel, (Chairman)
Jennifer Dearing, (Vice-Chair) David Ely, (Hon Secretary) Colin Martin, (Treasurer, Resigned)
Jeremy Dwight Richard Green
Anne Lamb Dale Malcolm Peter Miller (Resigned) Christine Pearson (Treasurer) Denise Richmond Nigel Rowe Stephan Smith
Do you want to be more involved in local matters, and help make a positive difference to Chislehurst?
Contact us: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk
Objectives and achievements
The Society’s objects are to promote high standards of planning and architecture in Chislehurst, to educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Chislehurst, and secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic environmental or public interest in Chislehurst.
In our role as the freeholder and Lord of the Manor of Chislehurst and St Pauls Cray Commons, we have appointed a trustee as our representative on the Board of the Trustees of Chislehurst Commons. Environmental work includes representation on the Petts Wood and Hawkwood National Trust Committee.
Our two Planning Panels scrutinise planning applications for Chislehurst. We respond to individual members who request help, and we provide information generally to our members via our Cockpit magazine and website.
2
The Old Chapel was available throughout 2024, as the Society headquarters, community meeting hall and rented space.
We communicate to members in print by email, via our website and using various social media platforms.
Paid up membership stood at 3,175 people in 2,225 households, including 31 outside BR7, by the end of 2024. There were 212 new members, in this our 90th year, surpassing our goal of 90 new members in 2024. There are also 26 organisations who have membership.
Our 90th year saw several initiatives to embed our objectives: two sizeable grants to promote all year-round football at the Glebe FC, and a heritage grant towards the restoration of interior paintwork at St Mary’s catholic church, we sponsored the Colourscape accessible light and sound facility at Chislehurst Thrives, Heritage banners displayed our famous characters along
the High Street over the summer, a major concert event to celebrate the history of Chislehurst was held in July and our participation in the London Festival of Architecture opened St Patricks Church as a cinema again for one night only!
Financial Review
The attached consolidated accounts show the results for the year. These have been agreed by the independent examiner. The figures will be available at the AGM. Our policy on reserves is unchanged. We maintain a level and range of investments to generate a regular income to supplement our modest subscription income and rental income. This enables us to acquire suitable assets and to give grants locally for activities that meet the societies objectives. You can see the year’s performance illustrated here.
This report was approved by the Trustees on the 19th of March 2025 and signed on their behalf by Joanna Friel, Chairman and Christine Pearson, Treasurer
3
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024
| RECEIPTS General Members subscriptions Gift Aid tax reclaimed(Note 1) Investment Income Rental income - Old Chapel Offce Rental Income - Old Chapel Hall Commons Income (net)(Note 2) Miscellaneous income Bequests and donations Charitable Activities Promotional sales(net) (Note 3) EXPENDITURE General Cost of generating funds Administration Premises costs(Note 4) Administrative staff Stationery/Telephone/IT etc(Note 5) Legal/Accountant Depreciation Communications development & marketing Miscellaneous expenses Charitable Activities Grants and sponsorship(Note 6) Planning/Environment Conservation Area Review Publications & local study Community 90th Birthday Activities Heritage(Note 7) Environmental Awards Operational Surplus/(Defcit) Investment revaluation Overall Surplus/(Defcit) |
RECEIPTS General Members subscriptions Gift Aid tax reclaimed(Note 1) Investment Income Rental income - Old Chapel Offce Rental Income - Old Chapel Hall Commons Income (net)(Note 2) Miscellaneous income Bequests and donations Charitable Activities Promotional sales(net) (Note 3) EXPENDITURE General Cost of generating funds Administration Premises costs(Note 4) Administrative staff Stationery/Telephone/IT etc(Note 5) Legal/Accountant Depreciation Communications development & marketing Miscellaneous expenses Charitable Activities Grants and sponsorship(Note 6) Planning/Environment Conservation Area Review Publications & local study Community 90th Birthday Activities Heritage(Note 7) Environmental Awards Operational Surplus/(Defcit) Investment revaluation Overall Surplus/(Defcit) |
2024 2023 18,400 17,302 4,264 1,956 24,704 25,478 14,167 14,167 32,370 31,965 ( 1,089 ) 4,796 225 3,181 1,192 1,069 2,159 150 96,391 100,065 2,938 3,112 27,603 32,778 3,271 3,978 17,018 11,446 2,641 365 1,147 1,225 2,557 2,830 1,149 792 36,555 37,344 771 1,921 ( 4,828 ) 22,517 8,074 8,004 2,946 3,527 3,728 5,410 374 2,451 2,630 113,431 132,841 |
|---|---|---|
| ( 17,040 ) ( 32,777 ) 20,227 75,502 3,187 42,725 |
4
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Assets Cash and short term deposits Investments(Note 8) Chislehurst Commons(Note 9) Fixtures & fttings etc Less depreciation Old Chapel Building(Note 10) Heritage art(Note 11) Heritage property(Note 12) Debtors & prepayments Liabilities VAT Creditor Hall deposits held Other creditors(Note 13) Represented by: Undesignated General fund Designated Funds Grants fund(Note 14) |
2024 2023 12,606 16,737 884,104 880,877 300,000 300,000 18,074 17,849 ( 15,637 ) ( 14,490 ) 695,000 695,000 1,959 4,459 -- -- 374 606 ( 358 ) 9,920 ( 2,758 ) ( 1,890 ) ( 7,435 ) ( 26,327 ) 1,885,929 1,882,742 2024 2023 1,506,097 1,466,354 379,833 416,388 1,885,929 1,882,742 |
|---|---|
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 19th March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
J D Friel, Chairman
C Pearson, Treasurer
5
Notes to the accounts
Note 1: Gift Aid includes claims for 2023 and 2024. Note 2: Repairs to common land by Imperial Arms and to Mill Place railings.
Note 3: Increase in sales relates to Exploring Chislehurst book, Mini Bears and Cacti.
Note 4: Reduced costs due to changes in utility rates, and cleaning/hall maintenance costs.
Note 5: Introduction of Customer Relationship Management System.
Note 6: Grants approved this year include Glebe FC playing surface, St Mary’s Church internal decoration, Commons Trailer, Coopers Recycling, St Nicholas Church lights and Royal Parade Xmas Fayre.
We sponsored FOCRG Paws in the Park, Chislehurst Lawn Tennis Club, Remembrance Sunday, Chislehurst Thrives, Chislehurst Rocks and Chislehurst Creates.
Note 7: Participation in LB Bromley’s Festival of Architecture.
Note 8: Investments are holdings of CCLA Investment funds.
Note 9: The Commons were professionally valued in 2021. We will review annually the need for any further valuations.
Note 10: The Old Chapel was professionally valued in 2021. We will review annually the need for any further valuations.
Note 11: Heritage Art covers a number of paintings relating to the Townshend family relevant to the history of Chislehurst. They are valued at cost. The portrait of Sir Horatio Townshend has been sold.
Note 12: The freehold of the access drive, off Lubbock Road, Chislehurst is being retained indefinitely for environmental reasons to enable enforcement of a single dwelling restrictive covenant on land previously owned by the Society. The Trustees place no financial value on it.
Note 13: The creditors figure includes £2.6k being rent received in advance for 2025 for the office above the Old Chapel hall, and £1.5k to the Commons for repair of Bore Hole.
Note 14: The Grants Fund represents money earmarked for future grants for local charitable purposes.
6
Notice of 2024 Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 7:30 pm in an open forum at the Methodist Church, Prince Imperial Road, Chislehurst BR7 5LX
Member Engagement
The AGM serves a forum for members to raise questions and receive feedback. If, after you have read the Annual Report, you would like to raise any immediate questions or observations before the meeting, please email: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk including your name and address or drop a letter into the Society letterbox at the Old Chapel. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Agenda
-
Minutes of AGM held on 24th of April 2024
-
Presentation of Trustees Annual Report to Members
-
Re-election of independent examiner
-
Election of Officers and Trustees
-
Short presentation on environmental developments by Trustee, Stephan Smith
-
Members questions
Note, only members of the Society are entitled to vote or speak at the Annual General Meeting.
The Officers of the Society and approximately 1/2 of the Executive Committee are elected annually. Under the Charities Act 2011, persons elected are required to be acceptable as Trustees. Nominations to serve as Officers or members of the Executive Committee should be made in accordance with the Constitution of the Society. It is convenient, but not
essential, for nominations to be made on the forms available. These can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary, the Old Chapel Queens Passage, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AP.
Email: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk
Copies of the documents contained in this report and the Independent Examiner’s Report are available on our website. www.chislehurst-society.org.uk .
The Chislehurst Society CIO is a Registered Charity No. 1166276.
7
The Old Chapel, 3 Queens Passage, Chislehurst, BR7 5AP admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk 020 8467 0900
www.chislehurst-society.org.uk
Annual Report to Members 2024 including Notice of AGM
Trustee’s Report to Members 2024
The Chislehurst Society CIO, Registered Charity, No. 1166276, has its address at The Old Chapel, Queens Passage, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AP and is established under a constitution adopted in April 2016.
Trustees of the CIO and members of the Board during 2024 and up to the date of this report were:
Joanna Friel, (Chairman)
Jennifer Dearing, (Vice-Chair) David Ely, (Hon Secretary) Colin Martin, (Treasurer, Resigned)
Jeremy Dwight Richard Green
Anne Lamb Dale Malcolm Peter Miller (Resigned) Christine Pearson (Treasurer) Denise Richmond Nigel Rowe Stephan Smith
Do you want to be more involved in local matters, and help make a positive difference to Chislehurst?
Contact us: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk
Objectives and achievements
The Society’s objects are to promote high standards of planning and architecture in Chislehurst, to educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of Chislehurst, and secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic environmental or public interest in Chislehurst.
In our role as the freeholder and Lord of the Manor of Chislehurst and St Pauls Cray Commons, we have appointed a trustee as our representative on the Board of the Trustees of Chislehurst Commons. Environmental work includes representation on the Petts Wood and Hawkwood National Trust Committee.
Our two Planning Panels scrutinise planning applications for Chislehurst. We respond to individual members who request help, and we provide information generally to our members via our Cockpit magazine and website.
2
The Old Chapel was available throughout 2024, as the Society headquarters, community meeting hall and rented space.
We communicate to members in print by email, via our website and using various social media platforms.
Paid up membership stood at 3,175 people in 2,225 households, including 31 outside BR7, by the end of 2024. There were 212 new members, in this our 90th year, surpassing our goal of 90 new members in 2024. There are also 26 organisations who have membership.
Our 90th year saw several initiatives to embed our objectives: two sizeable grants to promote all year-round football at the Glebe FC, and a heritage grant towards the restoration of interior paintwork at St Mary’s catholic church, we sponsored the Colourscape accessible light and sound facility at Chislehurst Thrives, Heritage banners displayed our famous characters along
the High Street over the summer, a major concert event to celebrate the history of Chislehurst was held in July and our participation in the London Festival of Architecture opened St Patricks Church as a cinema again for one night only!
Financial Review
The attached consolidated accounts show the results for the year. These have been agreed by the independent examiner. The figures will be available at the AGM. Our policy on reserves is unchanged. We maintain a level and range of investments to generate a regular income to supplement our modest subscription income and rental income. This enables us to acquire suitable assets and to give grants locally for activities that meet the societies objectives. You can see the year’s performance illustrated here.
This report was approved by the Trustees on the 19th of March 2025 and signed on their behalf by Joanna Friel, Chairman and Christine Pearson, Treasurer
3
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2024
| RECEIPTS General Members subscriptions Gift Aid tax reclaimed(Note 1) Investment Income Rental income - Old Chapel Offce Rental Income - Old Chapel Hall Commons Income (net)(Note 2) Miscellaneous income Bequests and donations Charitable Activities Promotional sales(net) (Note 3) EXPENDITURE General Cost of generating funds Administration Premises costs(Note 4) Administrative staff Stationery/Telephone/IT etc(Note 5) Legal/Accountant Depreciation Communications development & marketing Miscellaneous expenses Charitable Activities Grants and sponsorship(Note 6) Planning/Environment Conservation Area Review Publications & local study Community 90th Birthday Activities Heritage(Note 7) Environmental Awards Operational Surplus/(Defcit) Investment revaluation Overall Surplus/(Defcit) |
RECEIPTS General Members subscriptions Gift Aid tax reclaimed(Note 1) Investment Income Rental income - Old Chapel Offce Rental Income - Old Chapel Hall Commons Income (net)(Note 2) Miscellaneous income Bequests and donations Charitable Activities Promotional sales(net) (Note 3) EXPENDITURE General Cost of generating funds Administration Premises costs(Note 4) Administrative staff Stationery/Telephone/IT etc(Note 5) Legal/Accountant Depreciation Communications development & marketing Miscellaneous expenses Charitable Activities Grants and sponsorship(Note 6) Planning/Environment Conservation Area Review Publications & local study Community 90th Birthday Activities Heritage(Note 7) Environmental Awards Operational Surplus/(Defcit) Investment revaluation Overall Surplus/(Defcit) |
2024 2023 18,400 17,302 4,264 1,956 24,704 25,478 14,167 14,167 32,370 31,965 ( 1,089 ) 4,796 225 3,181 1,192 1,069 2,159 150 96,391 100,065 2,938 3,112 27,603 32,778 3,271 3,978 17,018 11,446 2,641 365 1,147 1,225 2,557 2,830 1,149 792 36,555 37,344 771 1,921 ( 4,828 ) 22,517 8,074 8,004 2,946 3,527 3,728 5,410 374 2,451 2,630 113,431 132,841 |
|---|---|---|
| ( 17,040 ) ( 32,777 ) 20,227 75,502 3,187 42,725 |
4
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Assets Cash and short term deposits Investments(Note 8) Chislehurst Commons(Note 9) Fixtures & fttings etc Less depreciation Old Chapel Building(Note 10) Heritage art(Note 11) Heritage property(Note 12) Debtors & prepayments Liabilities VAT Creditor Hall deposits held Other creditors(Note 13) Represented by: Undesignated General fund Designated Funds Grants fund(Note 14) |
2024 2023 12,606 16,737 884,104 880,877 300,000 300,000 18,074 17,849 ( 15,637 ) ( 14,490 ) 695,000 695,000 1,959 4,459 -- -- 374 606 ( 358 ) 9,920 ( 2,758 ) ( 1,890 ) ( 7,435 ) ( 26,327 ) 1,885,929 1,882,742 2024 2023 1,506,097 1,466,354 379,833 416,388 1,885,929 1,882,742 |
|---|---|
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 19th March 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
J D Friel, Chairman
C Pearson, Treasurer
5
Notes to the accounts
Note 1: Gift Aid includes claims for 2023 and 2024. Note 2: Repairs to common land by Imperial Arms and to Mill Place railings.
Note 3: Increase in sales relates to Exploring Chislehurst book, Mini Bears and Cacti.
Note 4: Reduced costs due to changes in utility rates, and cleaning/hall maintenance costs.
Note 5: Introduction of Customer Relationship Management System.
Note 6: Grants approved this year include Glebe FC playing surface, St Mary’s Church internal decoration, Commons Trailer, Coopers Recycling, St Nicholas Church lights and Royal Parade Xmas Fayre.
We sponsored FOCRG Paws in the Park, Chislehurst Lawn Tennis Club, Remembrance Sunday, Chislehurst Thrives, Chislehurst Rocks and Chislehurst Creates.
Note 7: Participation in LB Bromley’s Festival of Architecture.
Note 8: Investments are holdings of CCLA Investment funds.
Note 9: The Commons were professionally valued in 2021. We will review annually the need for any further valuations.
Note 10: The Old Chapel was professionally valued in 2021. We will review annually the need for any further valuations.
Note 11: Heritage Art covers a number of paintings relating to the Townshend family relevant to the history of Chislehurst. They are valued at cost. The portrait of Sir Horatio Townshend has been sold.
Note 12: The freehold of the access drive, off Lubbock Road, Chislehurst is being retained indefinitely for environmental reasons to enable enforcement of a single dwelling restrictive covenant on land previously owned by the Society. The Trustees place no financial value on it.
Note 13: The creditors figure includes £2.6k being rent received in advance for 2025 for the office above the Old Chapel hall, and £1.5k to the Commons for repair of Bore Hole.
Note 14: The Grants Fund represents money earmarked for future grants for local charitable purposes.
6
Notice of 2024 Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 7:30 pm in an open forum at the Methodist Church, Prince Imperial Road, Chislehurst BR7 5LX
Member Engagement
The AGM serves a forum for members to raise questions and receive feedback. If, after you have read the Annual Report, you would like to raise any immediate questions or observations before the meeting, please email: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk including your name and address or drop a letter into the Society letterbox at the Old Chapel. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Agenda
-
Minutes of AGM held on 24th of April 2024
-
Presentation of Trustees Annual Report to Members
-
Re-election of independent examiner
-
Election of Officers and Trustees
-
Short presentation on environmental developments by Trustee, Stephan Smith
-
Members questions
Note, only members of the Society are entitled to vote or speak at the Annual General Meeting.
The Officers of the Society and approximately 1/2 of the Executive Committee are elected annually. Under the Charities Act 2011, persons elected are required to be acceptable as Trustees. Nominations to serve as Officers or members of the Executive Committee should be made in accordance with the Constitution of the Society. It is convenient, but not
essential, for nominations to be made on the forms available. These can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary, the Old Chapel Queens Passage, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AP.
Email: admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk
Copies of the documents contained in this report and the Independent Examiner’s Report are available on our website. www.chislehurst-society.org.uk .
The Chislehurst Society CIO is a Registered Charity No. 1166276.
7
The Old Chapel, 3 Queens Passage, Chislehurst, BR7 5AP admin@chislehurst-society.org.uk 020 8467 0900
www.chislehurst-society.org.uk
Independent Examiner's Report to the Truslees of The Chi51ehurst Society I report on the accounts for The Chislehurst Society for th¢ year ended 31 December 2024. Respective Responsibilities of Trustees 2nd Examiner A5 the Society'5 trustees you are reS)nSIble for the preparation of accounts. You consider that an audit is not required under Section 144{?) of the Charities Aci 2011 and that an indendent examination is needed. li 15 my responsibility to Lxaminc the accounts under Section 145 of ihe Charities Act 2011 rollow the procedures specified in the GeneTal Dir¢clion given by the Charity Commissioners under Seclion 14515Mb) of the Act stale whether any particular malters have corne to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examination was carried out in accordance with ihe &ven¢ral directions &7iv¢n by ihe Charity Coini)iissioners. An ¢Aainination includ¢s a r¢vi¢w of ih¢ accounting r¥xords k.cpt by thL Society and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consid¢ration of any unusual ilems or disclosures in the accounts. and 5e¢kinbF explanation from you &$ the Committee ¢oncerning any such matters. I"he procedures undcrtaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and Lonsequently no opinion is givcn as lo whelheT the accounts pr¢sent a 'tru¢ and fair view. and ihe report is limited to thos¢ matters set out in the statement below. Independent F,xaminer's Statement In conn¢¢tion with my examIn10n no matter has comc to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any material r¢spect, the requirements lo kc¢p accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 201 l Acl, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting Tecords and to comply with ihe accounling r¢quirem¢nts of the Act. have not been m¢t. to which. in my opinion. attenlion should be dra1 in order lo enable a proper understanding of ihe accounts to be reached. Signed.. Dale.. I7-5-,22 Derek Dobson & Co l O Sturbies Field Chislehurst Keni BR7 OLG