Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Report to the trustee5/member5 of Friends Of Stathaffi Common On accounts for the year ended 31" March 2024 Set out on pages Respective responsibilltles of trustees and examiner The charlty's tru5tee5 consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year (under sertion 43{21 of the Charlties Att 1993 Ithe Actll and that an Independent examlnatlon 15 needed. It is my re5ponsibllity to- • exarnine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act), • to follow the procedures lald down In the General Dlrectlons glven by the Charity Commission (under section 4317}Ibl of the Act}, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention, Basls of Independent examlner's report My examinatlon was carried out In accordance with the General Directions Blven by the Charity Commi551on. An examination Includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth th05e records, It a150 include5 conslderation of any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation5 from you as Tru5tee5 concernsng any such matter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evldence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opitlion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner'5 Statement In the course of my eKamination, no matter h35 come to my attention: l. Which glves me reasonable cause to believe that in, any materlal respect, the requirements: to keep accountin8 records In accordan¢e with sectlon 41 of the Act; and • to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accountlng records and comply with the accountin8 requirements Of the 1993 Act have not been met,. or 2. To which, in my oplnlon, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. signed: Date: 30 January 2025 Name: Dr Kevin Riley Relevant professional qualificatlonls) or body (if any)., nla Address: 12 Braxted Park London SW16 3DW
Disclosure Section
rok';,@r,;:
Gl¥e here brlef detall3 of Ie> that
the ¢xamln¢i $he$ to dlxlose.
As In previou5 years, a final copy of the Trusteeg Annual Report was th)t
avallable at thls ilme. The Accounts revSewtd are those as seen by the
Trustees and a5 presented to the Annual General Meetlng.
The reasonableness of any slgnifieant estintste5 orJud8ments that have
been made in preparin8 the Accpunts has been assessed and accepted.
The TaSurel ha5 provlded all ne¢essary documentatlon In elertronic and
physlcal form, supported by face-tfrface dlscu5sion. I belleve that
sufficient information has been provlded to be able to come to a
reasonable vlew of the accounts. In my view the attounts are consistent
wlth the available documentatlon and so appear to offer a reasonable
vlew of the flnanclal p05itlon of the Frlends of Streatham Common.
Analysls of the fundlng p05ft1on suggests that the tharity 1$ finandalty
robust and re5illent. Compartson of the 3-year averages for Totsl Income
1£30,117), Total Expendlture1£25,885) and current Total Cash Funds
(£79,386) shows that opeiallons aft curTently robustly self-SUPPOrtlng. In
addltlon, In a worst
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1 April 2023 To 31 March 2024 Charity name: Friends of Streatham Common (FOSC) Charity registration number: 1166961 Objectives and Activities SOAP f818renc8 Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 FOSC exists to: 1 . promote the conservation, protection and improvemerbt of the environment, including Streatham Common, th@ Flookery and the Streatham Memorial Garden,. 2. advanc8 the education of the public in the areas of the charity's operation; 3. promote the provision ol safe facilities, including children's play areas, nature resenies, community events and gardening spaces, in the interests of social welfare. Summary of the main aclivities 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 In 2023-24 Fosc's activities supported the purposes above. FOSG conlinued to work with Streatham Common Co-operative <SCCoop) to raise lunds which have beenlwill be spent on improvements to the Rookery Garden e.g. purchase of plants. Fund raising included business sponsorship. FOSC also worked with Lambelh Council on Ihe wider Common, discussing requirements lor maintenance and olher enhancements. The centre-piece of Fosc's efforts was Kite Day held in May. This free event was attend8d by several thousand people, including a number of expert kite fliers. In addition there were children's play facilities, lood & drink vendors and many community group stalls. Although a lack of wind inhibited kite flying, it was an enjoyable day. Other events organis8d by FOSC included an Easter Egg Hunt, open-air Shakespeare and a fun Dog Show.
FOSC also ran a number of natural history walks around the Common. Some were on its own account and some jointly with Lambeth Council. Conservation volunteering took place, including work wilh Sccoop on horticulture in the Rookory. Consgrvation mgasurgs were also undertaken in Ihe woods e.g. improving paths and eflorts to reduce erosion. FOSC continued to provide a regular newsletter, Common Knowledge, to its memb8rs. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Para1.1B The Trustees have had regard to the public benefit in the activities above. Promoting Improvemenis to the Common and Rookery is likely to enhance the public's enjoyment of those spaces. The Trustees see public benefit as central to Fosc's ur Ose. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP r8ferellGe Policy on grani making Policy on social investment including program related investment Contribution made by volunteers Para 1.38 Para 1.38 Para 1.38 Other Achievements and Performance SORP refaror)e
Sumtnary 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. FOSC has been able lo support new planting in the Rookery Garden and environmental improvements, especially in the Slreatham Common woods. Para 1.20 It has also engaged Lambeth Council to effect various repairs to the Common which benefited all users and hélpéd protèct its Environment. It continues to engage the Council on concerns such as the future of the old car park. old road and placement of large bins. A particular recent concern has been to repair damage to the Common caused by a visiting circus's heavy vehicles on wet ground in the Spring. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further stalements where relevant about: Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 Performance of fundraising activiti8s against objectives set Inveslment perforrnance against objectives Para 1.41 Para 1,41 Other Financial Review Review ol the charity's financial position at the end of tho period Pala 1.21 Friends of Streatham Common is in a healthy financial position. It can cover its normal running experbses from regular income such as memb8rship fees, which are adjusted from time to timg. Fundraising is used to pay for improvements to the Common / Rookery or to support public events. Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves staling why they are held Para 1.22 Unrestricted ReseNes are held principally to support improvements on the Common and to cover basic running expenses. Restricted Reserves arise Irom donations for a specific purpose or project. Current restricted reserves largely relate to spending on projects with Streatham Common Co- operative SCCoop' in pursuit of shared purposes. These include planting, maintenance and restoration in the Rookery Garden.
'SCCoop, full name Streatham Common Community Operations Limited, is an Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community which has an agreement with Lambeth Council to undertake the management of, and gardening in, the Rookery. Amount ol reserves held Para 1.22 Total funds held at the year-end were £79,38fj.97. NIA Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund rnaterially in def icit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.22 Para 1.24 NIA Para 1.23 NIA Additional information (optional) You ma choose lo include further statem8nts where relevant about: The charity's principal In 2023-24, fundraising was spread across a sources of funds (including number of activities e.g. appeals for specific any fundraising) purposes and Christmas Fair. Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investrnent policy ado ted A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Para 1.46 other Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts: Type ol governing document Parn 1.25 Association Constitulion How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 Charity Incorporated Oiganisaiion "Truslee selection methods including details of any constitulional provisions e.g. 8lection to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Trustees are 8lected by members of the Friends of Slreatham Common at its Annual General Meeting. The Truslees may co-opt to fill vacanciès, but such appointments must be confirmecj at the subsequent AGM. Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and rocedures
adopted for the induction and training of trusteas Para 1.51 The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works The Trustees delegate day-to-day responsibility for FOSC to an executive committee. Most of the trustees are active members of the Committee, Pafa 1.51 As noted above. FOSC works closely with Streatham Common Co-operative {SCCoop) in pursuit of shared objectives. Sccoop, as manager of the Rookery Garden, undertakes work on behalf of the Friends e.g. planting and maintenance. FOSC makes frequent grants to Sccoop in support of the latter's work in the Rookery and indeed the rnajority of Fosc's spending is through Sccoop. Relationship with any related parties Paia 1,51 Other Reference and Administrative details Chari name Other name the chari uses Re istered chari number Charity's principal address Friends of Streatham Common FOSC or the Friends 1166961 48 Strathbrook Road, Streatham, London, SW16 3AY Names of the ch8rity trustees who manage the charity Tru8to? name Offic• (if any) Dal88 act8d If not lor wholo year Name of person lor body) enlllled to olnt tru8t8e Ilan Nicholas Cattermole Treasurer until AGM AGM Anne Hamilton Caroline Anne Hewitt David Jonathan Malley Peter Newmark Until 28 June 2023 AGM Chair from AGM Secretary AGM AGM AGM Richard Payne Michael Flobinson Tracey Jean Williamson Treasurèr from AGM From 28 June 2023 AGM AGM Chair until AGM AGM 10 The AGM was held on 28 June 2023. 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at th8 date the r8 Director nam ort was a roved Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charily Trustee name Dale8 acted if not for whole ear Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held In thls capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the cuslodian charity's objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets Irom the charity's own assets Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional inforrnation) Type of Name Addres6 adviser Name of chiel executive or names of senior Stsff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information Declarations The Irustee8 declare that Ihey have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charily's trustees. Signature{s) Full name(8) Caroline Anne Hewitt David Jonathan Malley SeGretary Position (eg Secretary, Chair, elc) Chair Date
I CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Friends of Stwvatham Common 1166961 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For Ihe period from 01-Apr-23 31.Mar.24 To Section A Receipts and payments UnrestriGted fund$ Flo8triGtod tunds Endowmenl funds Total tunds Last year to th• n1•51 to th• near•81 £ to th• n•ar•st £ to fv n•ar•8t E to lh• rn8rJBt £ A1 Recei Mambarshi Evanls Donations Bank Inlarosl 1$ 730 27.081 91 380 517 517 Roundin ross income A2 Asget and Investment ul•3, (gee table). Sub total Total recelpts 9,011 26,119 35,930 30,646 A3Pa ments Environmenlal Im Eveiil Ex Common Knowled Insurance Adminislralion Ex Pa P8VWorklPa 0on8llons Roun(Jln rovements 550 880 442 729 525 1,057 enses Chai gs 75 75 637 Sub total 16.417 7.320 A4 A888t and Investment purchases, (see table) Sub total Total payments 6,417 10,000 16A17 4T20 Net ol receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between fund8 A6 Cash funds lasi year end Cash funds this year end 3D94 16,119 19,513 16,674 32,904 36,298 26,969 43,088 59,873 79,386 76,547 59.873 CCXX R1 accounts ISS) 2710112025
Section B Statemenl of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted lunds lo nearest £ Restricled fund8 Endowment funds Cotegories L)etaiiS lo nearesl £ to neafe8t £ B1 Cash funds Llloyds Bank Current Account Llloyds Bank Deposit Account Llloyds Bank Bond PayPal Cash in Hand 5,759 20.068 23.020 25,008 5,259 272 Tot81 cash fvnds 36,298 Ire& balaro8s with r8c8ikls and payments accounll811 Unrestrlcted lunds lo neare•t £ RÈsirleted funds n*are•l £ Endowment funds to neare81 £ Delails Fvnd lo which 8Qt bglon Currenl vAIu• tlonal Detgils COBI loptioTrHI B3 Investment assats Fund lo which Ais•t b•lon Currnnt valu• tlonal Detail$ Cool loptioTh•l B4 A$8et3 retalned for the charlly's own use Fund lo whSch Ilablllt Fo18ts8 Amount d Ilona When dug Dèlails B5 Llabilltles Signed by ohe or Irusteeson behalf of all the Iruslees Date ol approval Signature Print Name Caroline Hewitt David Malle £7 CCXX R2 actx)unts ISSI