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← The Richmond Society

2024-09-30-accounts

TRUSTEES‘ REPORT

AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1169079

THE RICHMOND SOCIETY CHARITY INFORMATION

PATRONS

Ms Anita Anand, Professor Ian Bruce, Baroness Ronny Van Dedem, Lord Lee of Trafford, Sir Trevor McDonald, Lord Watson of Richmond

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Acting Chair Louise Fluker Hon Treasurer Andrew Coleman

Ginny Curry, Lizzie Danckwerts, Pamela Fleming, Ian Galbraith, Stephen Speak , Nicky Wood

HONORARY REPORTING ACCOUNTANT

Marian Williams

COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

PLANNING

Louise Fluker Chair , Tony Hall, Pamela Fleming, Christopher Saunders, Kenneth Roberts

LANDSCAPING & RIVERSIDE (including Friends of Terrace Gardens)

Nicky Wood Chair, Frances Bouchier, Susanna Edwards, Julia Stead, Carol Ward, Dr Jonathan Wheeldon

INFRASTRUCTURE & AIR QUALITY

Stephen Speak, Pamela Fleming TOWN CENTRE Stephen Speak, Pamela Fleming

LICENSING

Ginny Curry POLICE LIAISON

Pamela Fleming

RICHMOND HEATHROW CAMPAIGN

Peter Willan, Robert Tudway representatives from The Kew Society and Friends of Richmond Green, and co-opted experts

MEMBERSHIP, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Ginny Curry (Membership), Richard Baldwin (Membership Database), Patrick Gillen (Webmaster),

Shimei Zhou (Social Media )

EVENTS

Lizzie Danckwerts, Paul Velluet (Walks Organiser)

MEMBERSHIP or AFFILIATION of the SOCIETY to OTHER BODIES

Arts Richmond, Habitats & Heritage,

The London Forum of Amenity & Civic Societies

The Richmond Society also nominates a member to serve on

Old Deer Park Working Group (Nicky Wood), Petersham Meadows Advisory Group (Dr Jonathan Wheeldon),

Richmond Parish Lands Charity (Stephen Speak), South Richmond Police Liaison Group (Pamela Fleming), Thames Landscape Strategy Community Advisory Group (Nicky Wood)

REGISTERED OFFICE

13 Fitzwilliam Avenue Richmond TW9 2DQ

BANKERS

Lloyds Bank PLC, Business Banking BX1 1LT

Saffron Building Society, Saffron House, 1a Market Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1HX

United Trust Bank, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AW

WEBSITE

www.richmondsociety.org

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Louise Fluker (Acting Chair)

CHAIR’S STATEMENT

Richmond is the happiest place to live in the UK according to Rightmove’s December 2023 index. Visitors are keen to see where Ted Lasso was filmed. But Richmond is not without its challenges. That’s where the Richmond Society comes in with its remit to seek to make Richmond a better place in which to live, work and visit. The Richmond Society continues to champion our special town and to preserve its unique and muchloved character while encouraging beneficial changes.

The new government will almost certainly impose mandatory house building targets on local authorities. This is a challenge for the borough as over 57% is green space so there are few opportunities for new dwellings and the pressure is therefore to build tall blocks. We have seen this with the approval of the development on the former Homebase site. Meanwhile, under the new local plan, the land behind Richmond Station is designated as suitable for a 5-6 storey building. Additionally, the discretion of local authority planning committees is being eroded as permitted development rights are extended, reducing the ability to prevent unsightly extensions or conversions.

Our activities during the year ended 30[th] September, discussed in more detail in the Annual Review below, have included:

During the year we reviewed how we communicate to members. We were conscious of the duplication between our email communications (the Bulletin and letters from the Chair) and our quarterly newsletter, which was primarily distributed by email but with some copies printed and posted. Producing the quarterly newsletter was very labour intensive and our assessment was that the email communications (generally about monthly) were a more useful and timely way of keeping in touch. Accordingly, we have decided to discontinue the quarterly newsletter. As that would have meant that members not on email would be disadvantaged, we will be posting them hard copies of our email communications on a quarterly basis. Increases in printing and postage charges have meant that we have requested members who would like hard copy communications to pay an additional subscription of £10 a year to cover the costs of these mailings.

It has been a busy year for us with additional pressure while we have trying to recruit to fill trustee vacancies, including that of Chair. I have been acting Chair since December’s AGM, when Barry May stood down, while continuing to act as chair of our planning committee. We were sorry to report that Barry died in June and the full church at his memorial service reflected the regard in which he was held by different communities in

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Richmond. A number of my fellow trustees have also been covering more than one portfolio. We were delighted that Ian Galbraith joined the Executive Committee as a trustee in May. I am hopeful that I will shortly be able to make an announcement about further new trustees joining us. They will be most welcome.

Lord Hendy has resigned as a patron. He is of course now Minister of Transport for Rail but he kindly drove his Routemaster bus for a jaunt round Richmond and Kew which was appreciated by members as was Paul Velluet’s interesting commentary.

My thanks go to all our Patrons, Trustees and our other volunteers without whom the Society could not operate.

Thank you for your support. The Executive Committee welcomes your comments, suggestions and information about what is happening in Richmond.

ANNUAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The members of the Executive Committee, in their capacity as Trustees, present their report on the activities of the Society for the year ended 30 September 2024.

PLANNING

Louise Fluker

The Planning Committee’s main activity is to review planning applications and appeals in the Richmond part of the borough (the wards of North and South Richmond and the relevant part of Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside). Where appropriate, we make submissions to the local authority and engage with developers and stakeholders. Our focus is on proposals visible from the public domain. Our objective is to ensure that which is beautiful or special is conserved and that which is ugly or overbearing is opposed. This does not mean we oppose good or radical modern designs!

Set out below are examples of our work during the year.

Draft Local Plan

Planning Inspectors held a public examination of Richmond Council’s draft local plan (to which we had responded) and their decision is awaited. We hope, but do not expect, that the designation of Richmond Station as suitable for redevelopment with mid-rise buildings on top of the station will be re-considered. We continue to think this is inappropriate.

80 George Street (formerly the House of Fraser site)

The first part of the development, Sticks’n’Sushi restaurant, opened on the corner of George Street and King Street. Sheen Lane Developments Limited continues with developing the rest of the site.

Onslow Hall

We opposed City Pub Group’s application to convert offices into a boutique hotel, which would be an adjunct to a restaurant and bar with 100 covers. Youngs took over City Pub Group so we await further developments.

George Street and Town Centre

In principle, we do not object to converting redundant office space above shops into residential accommodation, but we continue to be concerned about the details of some of the proposals, which seek to

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cram the maximum number of units into the space. As they are just above the legal minimum, the Council has no power to refuse permission on those grounds alone.

Egregious examples of over-development where the planners refused permission or where the application was withdrawn are:

Land Rear of 33 Petersham Road Richmond

We have consistently opposed applications to turn a boathouse into a dwelling because of its proximity to the towpath but finally the applicant obtained permission. We hope this does not set a precedent.

Turks’ Pontoon

We supported the Council’s enforcement action, which was upheld by planning inspectors. The issue was use of the pontoon for storage by the restaurant (Peggy Jean) using the adjacent barge plus the use of large jumbrellas which obscured the view of Richmond Bridge from the towpath.

Flat Above 10 King Street Richmond TW9 1ND (The Open Book)

Inexplicably Richmond Council’s Planning Committee gave permission to a revised application from the one previously objected to by the Richmond Society and many others. We thought the revised plan did not take sufficient account of visitors with disabilities, reduced the retail space at the front of the shop thus making it less viable as retail space.

Homebase Site, Manor Road

Finally, Avanton got planning permission for its development. The consultation process held by the Mayor of London was, we thought, flawed but a legal challenge was unlikely to succeed so all we can do is make sure that Avanton complies with all the conditions of the permission.

5G Telephone Masts and telephony

Richmond Council refused permission for a 20-metre mast in front of Pools on the Park but the telephone operators succeeded on appeal to planning inspectors. However, an appeal against the Council’s refusal to permit telephony equipment with higher aerials on Richmond Telephone Exchange Paradise Road Richmond was dismissed

Richmond Society Awards 2023

The Society’s Annual Awards review commended five projects for their contribution to Richmond’s amenity: the Alberts Heritage Lights and Community Garden; Virginia Woolf’s statue by Laury Dizengremel; the installation of solar panels on Queen Elizabeth’s Almshouses; the restoration of The Selwyn Hotel (formerly Quinn’s Hotel); and the redevelopment of Gainsborough House (the offices adjacent to Waitrose in Sheen Road).

TOWN CENTRE & COMMUNITY

Pam Fleming, Stephen Speak

Vision for Richmond Town

The Council’s consultants, We Made That, published their report in January 2024 with six priority themes for the town arising from their 2023 public engagement.

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  1. High Street Diversity - Their findings confirm that, following the pandemic, the town’s retail offer continued to decline while the switch to coffee shops and restaurants accelerated. Local residents in particular have lamented the loss of retail.

  2. Movement - The consultants noted a consensus that traffic and congestion is a challenge for the town but that changes will require careful consideration.

  3. Heritage and Identity - They noted that people are keen to celebrate Richmond’s heritage.

  4. Public Spaces - The green spaces and riverside are a key part of the town’s attraction and contribute to its success. However, areas of the town need upgrading and public toilets and more places for people to sit would make the town centre more welcoming.

  5. Young People - The consultants were asked to emphasise collecting views from younger people contributing to suggestions that better spaces, activities and events may encourage younger people to spend more time in Richmond.

  6. Culture, Leisure and Sport - Although there is an excellent range of sports facilities these could be improved in partnership with the Council.

Following that engagement the Council appointed Hemingway Design to review the work undertaken over the last eighteen months and propose a vision and action plan for Richmond town. We are not aware of the timeline, nor details of the work proposed, but have noted that the Council seems keen to prioritise ideas around traffic management and attracting visitors to Richmond.

Night Time Strategy

The Mayor of London recommended that each borough produce their own night time strategy. The Richmond Society contributed to Council led workshops on this subject during 2023 culminating in the Council’s draft strategy being released for public consultation in July 2024.

The draft covers the whole borough but the Society limited its response to matters affecting Richmond. We considered the Council’s recommendations for Richmond to be generally sound but raised several observations:

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House of Lords Inquiry - High streets in towns and small cities

In March 2024 the Society submitted evidence to the House of Lords Committee on the Built Environment. We concluded that most people can recognise a “High Street” without needing a specific definition and that the government’s commercial to residential Permitted Development Rights and changes to use rights had brought more harm than good to Richmond’s high street. We advocated giving local communities the freedom to determine how their high streets should operate without central government directives.

Policing

The Society continues to press for better police resources, but recruitment is slow and there appears to be no likelihood of a permanent police base for the foreseeable future. The Safe Space continues to operate at Richmond Station on Friday and Saturday nights as a partnership between the Council, Police and other agencies and with partial funding from the Safer Neighbourhood Board.

The Richmond Green and Riverside Action Plan operated for a fourth year between April and September although the poor weather probably contributed to the period being relatively quiet. The police dealt with the few problem gatherings that did occur swiftly and efficiently with Section 35 Dispersal Orders only used three times.

The prevalence of shoplifting in Richmond remains a concern, although Be Richmond’s additional security and the intelligence passed to the police appears to be helping to reduce the problem – but possibly by moving it to other shopping areas.

Public Toilets

Another year has passed with no public toilets nor updates around the Council’s proposed feasibility study. There are suggestions that public toilets could be included within refurbishment plans for the lending library, but the timing for this is uncertain and the Society will continue its battle for a permanent provision.

Progress with the Community Toilet Scheme is more promising. Most of the Society’s recommendations were accepted and the Council has appointed an officer with a mandate to review the scheme and recruit more businesses. The bad news is that the posting only lasts for six months.

TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE

Pam Fleming, Stephen Speak

Transport Strategy

Last year the Society supported a petition to the Council organised by several civic groups in the east of the borough. This called for transport consultants to be appointed - principally to evaluate how planned large developments in Mortlake, Kew, and North Sheen could affect private and public transport requirements.

The Society has long advocated having a long-term and borough-wide transport strategy founded upon upto-date surveys rather than re-purposed models, wishful thinking, and small scale interventions. We think it is important to understand the journeys that people want to make, how they actually move through the borough, and the transport methods they use.

We were therefore pleased with a paper presented to the Council’s Transport & Air Quality Committee in June containing proposals for a borough-wide transport strategy. A nuanced understanding of transport needs enables better strategic plans and decisions around the allocation of transport investment.

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Consultants were appointed in August with a plan to launch public engagement activities from November 2024.

The Society will keep members informed about progress with this work and we plan to monitor related activities that extend well beyond Richmond. The actions taken at some distance from Richmond can influence the volume of traffic that passes through and around the town due to the funnelling effect of the river bridges. Similarly, bus and train services through Richmond are affected by factors that extend far beyond the immediate area.

Manor Circus / Sandycombe Road

Throughout the entire year the Manor Circus area was blighted by congestion caused by road works to repair the deck of the bridge, replace gas mains, reshape the roundabout, alter the running lanes, and install signalised pedestrian crossings on each arm. The wish for signalised crossings has been the subject of campaigns dating back decades and arising from the roundabout’s appalling safety record. Pedestrians should now find it safer to cross the A316, but it will take them longer compared to the zebra crossings.

Sandycombe Road is a key feeder route between Kew Bridge and Richmond Hill. During the Manor Circus roadworks it only operated one-way for much of the time, with the 110 bus route diverted to Kew Road. While the closure provided Sandycombe Road residents with respite from the typical traffic volume, bus users were sorely inconvenienced, and many drivers ignored the official diversion in favour of nearby residential roads creating significant angst for those residents. Matters came to a head in the spring after some Sandycombe Road residents asked the Council to make the closure permanent. This was countered by objections from other residents, bus passengers, and shop owners with some members seeking advice from the Richmond Society. After conducting investigative survey work, the council did not develop the idea further, but the issue lends support to the Society’s argument for wide area traffic surveys to better understand traffic flows in feeder routes to and from the river crossings.

LANDSCAPING AND RIVERSIDE

Nicky Wood

As in previous years, we have continued to:

Petersham Meadows Advisory Group

Last year the Meadow was not grazed. This year two belted Galloways, later increased to four, were brought to the Meadow by Tom’s Farm, a charity based in Wandsworth. It was a worthy initiative, but will not be repeated next year, as the charity is overstretched. The National Trust is again seeking a new partner to put grazing cattle onto the Meadow next summer and beyond.

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Old Deer Park Group

New trees have been planted in the central copse, and efforts continue to provide better access to the Park from the town.

Teddington Direct River Abstraction Scheme Thames Water’s plan to abstract water from the river at Teddington for transfer to the Lea Valley, replacing it with treated effluent from Mogden, had a green light from the Secretary of State. There will be a new round of consultation in Spring 2025.

LICENSING

Ginny Curry

The Richmond Society continues to concentrate on reducing the negative impact of the evening economy on residents whilst encouraging the positive impact of well-run licensed premises within the town. We aim to find a balance between the economy and the development of the town and its environs with adequate (and not over-bearing) examination of licensed premises applications – particularly those that fall within the bounds of the Cumulative Impact Zone area of the town.

We continue to find increasing numbers of shops that have been vacated are being replaced by food-led outlets and, as a result, additional licence applications are increasing. Licence applications are made though the Council and, in the first instance, the Society works with the applicants so that the requirements of the businesses, the residents, and the police are all considered, enabling a sensible and workable outcome for all. Sometimes these pre-hearing discussions do not come to fruition and the application goes to a full hearing of the Licensing Committee. The Richmond Society is always represented at these hearings. We do not automatically object to every application and our starting point is always a careful consideration of the application as a whole and how it may affect the town.

We recognise that most of the town’s licensed premises are well managed and cause no issues, but there are some where residential neighbours suffer from late night noise, disturbance, and other anti-social behaviours. Alcohol purchased for consumption in the town’s open spaces remains a significant issue when it results in such behaviour. Rigorous attention to the granting of licences, with particular attention to the requested opening hours, and the call for review of those licence holders who step beyond their mark are ways in which we can continue to have an enjoyable (and valuable) day and evening economy for businesses, residents and visitors alike.

RICHMOND HEATHROW CAMPAIGN

Peter Willan

The Richmond Heathrow Campaign (RHC) acts on behalf of The Richmond Society, The Kew Society and Friends of Richmond Green in matters relating to Heathrow, and in particular, its environmental impact on community health and wellbeing.

Night flights

Noise from night flights is, for many local resident's, one of the most acute Heathrow issues. We await the imminent release of DfT’s next Night Regime 2025-2028. We are not confident of improvement but during the year we made progress in opening the door to progressive deferral of night flights to the day. This includes approximately 10 late runners after 11pm, 15 arrivals 4:30 to 6am, and 56 early morning flights between 6 - 7am (total 81). Last year RHC made two full length presentations on Night Flights to Heathrow’s community noise forum (NACF), which includes the CAA, DfT, NATS and the airlines.

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Heathrow Airspace Modernisation

Heathrow has confirmed the airspace is being re-designed for a two-runway airport within the existing planning limit of 480,000 flights a year. The issues are therefore about allocation of noise impact rather than an increase from more flights. But, in the densely populated surrounds of Heathrow, one person’s gain is another’s loss and modernisation is a major threat for over 2 million people.

RHC continues to seek retention of the legacy flight paths (24 departure and 16 arrival) with focus on specific congestion and environmental issues rather than Heathrow’s blank page approach with over 150 Initial Options. RHC continues to raise with Heathrow, CAA, DfT and NATS substantial optioneering issues.

Stage 3 of the CAA design process will produce a few Final Options for public consultation in about 18 months time. Richmond and Kew face a particular challenge from new overhead departures to the east from the northern runway previously prohibited by the Cranford Agreement (now dissolved). Heathrow’s planning application to Hillingdon Council will propose two existing departure flightpaths, which are no threat to Richmond and Kew, but the CAA’s airspace change process conversely introduces Initial Options for departures over Richmond and Kew while retaining the existing arrival paths. RHC is strongly resisting this lateral solution. Additionally, RHC is pressing for increased departure heights.

Heathrow Expansion

RHC believe Heathrow expansion remains paused but, should it return, RHC has 30 years of evidence and experience in opposing expansion which we are ready to deploy to the full.

Summary of RHC Activities 2023/24: During the year RHC responded to two consultations: DfT (1) on Night Flights and Heathrow (1) on airspace modernisation. RHC also attended 32 meetings (some virtual): NACF (5), Heathrow (1) incl. serial correspondence and an RHC research report on departure heights, Community Noise Group (CNG) (11), other organisations (5) and RHC (11). We raised questions with Sir Keir Starmer MP, Heathrow’s new CEO, and election candidates. We updated RHC’s Noise Model. RHC welcomes new representatives - Robert Tudway from the Richmond Society and Paul Bethel from the Kew Society. Please contact Peter Willan, RHC Chair, at action@richmondheathrowcampaign.org if you can help.

MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS Ginny Curry

The Society’s membership at 30[th] September 2024 was 1,100. The current cost of membership is being held at £10 per annum for a single membership and £16 for a household membership (two adults and any number of children under the age of 18).

Members enjoy free attendance at our events programme and the opportunity to buy tickets to attend our Christmas and Summer Parties and our ever-popular walks and bus tours. Members and non-members continue to be kept up to date with the Society’s activities through our periodic digital Bulletin, which has nearly 900 subscribers, and e-mails from the Chair. On social media we maintain a stream of posts which attract a virtual following of well over 6,000 on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

The Society is currently upgrading our membership database. Although most members receive the Bulletin electronically, we do not have email details for all our members. Measures are being undertaken to seek email addresses wherever possible, as email is the most cost-effective and quickest way to inform our members of all our activities and projects on a timely basis. Not everyone can use email, and it is important that we cater for those of our members who need hard copies. The cost of printing and posting copies of the Bulletin, Chair’s letter and the programme of events four times a year is now greater than the annual single

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membership fee of £10. For this reason, we are having to introduce an additional charge of £10 per annum for members who want hard copies. Hard copies will be posted quarterly.

Although the majority of our members pay the current rate of subscription to the correct charity, we still have some members paying by standing order paying old rates of subscription and in some cases into an obsolete bank account that we have been trying to close for some years. As part of the Membership database review, we will be in touch with those members to ask them to kindly set up a new Standing Order into the new bank account and to cancel their current Standing Order.

EVENTS Lizzie Danckwerts

Once again members and guests had the opportunity to take part in a full and fascinating programme of events and walks:

The Annual Awards in October 2023: Details of the commendations are set out in Planning on page 4. The evening was enlivened with a presentation by Richmond Council’s filming officers, Sue Lewis and Sarah Hillman, about Richmond as a lucrative film and tourist destination given the popularity of the Ted Lasso series.

Our Patron Lord Lee of Trafford gave our talk in November. This was hugely entertaining with his anecdotes from a political journey. The AGM and Christmas Party in December was held at Queen Charlotte Hall, Richmond & Hillcroft Adult Community College. It was a delightfully convivial evening with music not only by virtuoso jazz pianist Max Rush, also an award-winning landscape photographer who designed his own Richmond Oak Camera, but also by local jazz band the Raccateers.

Acting Superintendent Christopher Scammell of the Borough Command Unit, Metropolitan Police Service gave our talk in January 2024 . He explained what the New Met Plan means for Richmond. Our talk in February celebrated the centenary of The York House Society by inviting Yvonne Hewett, past Chair, and Paul Leonard, current Chair, to speak about the fascinating history of York House, and how it became the headquarters of Richmond Council. Our talk in March was about managing Richmond’s built heritage by Nicolette Duckham, Building Conservation Officer for Richmond Council for over 25 years, who spoke with enthusiasm about some of the many projects she had been involved with.

A joint meeting with the Richmond Local History Society in April, featured Dr Elizabeth Hallam Smith who explored the turbulent history of Richmond’s royal palace: from Plantagenet Sheen to Tudor Richmond. A joint meeting later in April with the River Thames Society examined the increased risk of local flooding: “Richmond under Thames?” It was led by Jason Debney from Thames Landscape Strategy and Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Services Committee of Richmond Council, with a contribution from Elizabeth Bunker of Community Bluescapes on how this issue is being tackled for the Beverley Brook catchment.

The May Fair on Richmond Green, chaired by Richmond Society trustee, Pamela Fleming, was a huge draw. Volunteers were kept busy on our stall encouraging new members to join the Society, as well as selling copies of our best-seller, Richmond’s Trees . Our meeting later in May was at the Bethlehem Chapel, with a welcome by Pastor Robert Goodgame. This celebrated the Chapel’s rescue from dereliction over 30 years ago following an initiative to restore it by The Richmond Society under then Chair, the late David Church. Our former Chair, the late Barry May, was instrumental in organising this event.

Three Heritage Walks over the Summer were organised by Paul Velluet with Adam Harrison: the historic heart of Richmond; the Road to Kew, led by Lucinda Ganderton; and a summer’s evening on Richmond Hill; all followed by an adjournment to a local pub.

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The June Summer Party once again took place in the glorious grounds of Trumpeters’ House by kind permission of our Patron, Baroness Ronny Van Dedem. Members socialised and enjoyed afternoon tea whilst being entertained by popular local band, the Raccateers. We organised The Richmond Park General Election Hustings, also in June . These were held at Duke Street Church with Richmond Park constituency candidates responding to pre-submitted questions.

For our July bus trip, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill was behind the wheel for an evening excursion around landmarks in Richmond and Kew aboard his vintage Routemaster bus with Paul Velluet as guide. This popular tour was followed by a buffet supper at The Sun Inn, Parkshot. Finally, our talk in September was by Paul Jennings, CEO of Habitats & Heritage, who gave a presentation on how Sir Joseph Bazalgette overcame the Great Stink of London.

These events could not have taken place without our magnificent band of volunteers. Enormous thanks are due to Barbara Benemar, Bella Hobson, Carey Clark, Catriona Dobbie, Deirdre Clenet, Iain Mulligan, Jane Mills, Jane Parkinson, Jenny Pugsley, Julia Stead, Linda Duffield, Lindsey Andrews, Lynne Cox, Margaret Walsh, Marie Leigh, Mona Turner, Sarah Turner, Susanna Edwards, Paul Velluet and Adam Harrison for their fantastic help in a variety of roles. The Society is most grateful to them.

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

The members of the Executive Committee, in their capacity as Trustees, present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIETY

The Richmond Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO - registered charity number 1169079) governed by a Constitution dated 7 September 2016, revised on 29 September 2020. It was set up to take forward the work of the Unincorporated Association, The Richmond Society (registered charity number 285805). To distinguish the CIO, we refer to this as “NewRic” and the previous charity as “OldRic” where necessary in this report.

The activities and net assets of “OldRic” were transferred to “NewRic” in prior years. Any membership subscriptions, donations and other income received by “OldRic” are remitted to “NewRic” and included in these financial statements.

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES AND PUBLIC BENEFIT

The charitable objects of the Society may be summarised to:

In carrying out its work to make Richmond a better place in which to live, work and visit, the Trustees confirm they have complied with the duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on providing public benefit.

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ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY

The review of the activities of the Society is set out on pages 3-11.

FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR

Income for the year was £20,836 and expenditure £11,809, generating a surplus for the year of £9,027. There was a surplus of £1,633 on revaluation of investments to market value at the year-end. The resulting total surplus of £10,660 has been added to the Society’s reserves.

In comparison with the previous year:

Our financial position remains very strong.

Our thanks are due to our loyal members who support the Society through subscriptions, donations, and attendance at our events. Our thanks are also due to our loyal volunteers who give freely of their time and skills in handling the Society’s casework, campaigns, and administration, and in organizing our events programme.

RESERVES POLICY

For the Society to function successfully, it must maintain an adequate financial position with sufficient reserves to finance its operations. At the end of the financial year, the Society’s reserves comprised:

Unrestricted reserves
General fund
Designated fund
Legacy fund
Restricted reserve
Landscaping fund
Total at 30 September 2024		 2024
35,498
9,236
44,236
88,970
2,039
£91,009

The general fund comprises reserves necessary to support the Society’s normal recurring activities. The balance now exceeds 31 months of budgeted routine annual expenditure (2023: 24 months). We will investigate additional spend on projects and landscaping in the coming year.

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The designated fund represents reserves set aside to put up information boards at points of interest in the town. Further information boards are planned.

The legacy fund represents legacies received by the Society set aside for transformational projects that would otherwise be unaffordable.

The landscaping fund represents the unspent balance of monies raised specifically for landscaping projects.

The Trustees are satisfied that the Society’s financial reserves are sufficient for it to continue at its current level of activities.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The major risks to which the Society is exposed, as identified by the Trustees, have been reviewed during the year and the Trustees are satisfied that action has been taken where appropriate to manage those risks.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The Trustees are grateful to Marian Williams who has carried out the Independent Examination of the Society’s accounts pro bono.

STATEMENT OF THE TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial reporting period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society and of the income and expenditure for the period then ended. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently, make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent, and prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue in business. The Trustees have responsibility for maintaining proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Society and enable it to ensure that the financial statements comply with charity regulations. The Trustees also have responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the Society and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By Order of the Trustees Andrew Coleman Hon Treasurer,

12 November 2024

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE RICHMOND SOCIETY

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Richmond Society for the year ended 30 September 2024 on pages 15 to 20.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not being kept in respect of the charity in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Marian Williams ACA Richmond 12 November2024

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The Richmond Society Statement of financial activities for the year ended 30 September 2024

Note
Incoming resources
Income from donations
Subscriptions
Donations
Income from charitable activities
Events and walks
Publication sales
Investment income
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Expenditure on charitable activities
Projects and landscaping
Events and walks
Publications
Communications
Administration costs
Total expenditure
2
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before
investment gains/(losses)
Gains/(Losses) on investments
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
Transfers between funds
Net movement of funds for the period
Reconciliation of funds
Opening fund balances
Closing fund balances		 General
Landscaping
2024
Funds
Fund
Total
£
£
£
8,390
-
8,390
678
-
678
5,992
450
6,442
2,351
-
2,351
2,975
-
2,975
20,386
450
20,836
-

380
380
7,377
25
7,402
72
-
72

1,153
-
1,153
2,724
78
2,802		 2023
Total
£
7,908
8
8,219
10,730
1,384
28,249
4,134
6,696
960
1,337
3,388
11,326
483
11,809		 16,515
9,060
(33)
9,027
1,633
-
1,633		 11,734
(235)
10,693
(33)
10,660
-
-
-		 11,499
-
10,693
(33)
10,660
78,277
2,072
80,349		 11,499
68,850
88,970
2,039
91,009		 80,349

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

15

The Richmond Society Balance sheet at 30 September 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Investments
3
Current assets
Stock
4
Debtors & prepayments
Deposit account
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within 1 year
Creditors & accruals
Deferred subscription income
5
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Liabilities and charges:
due after more than one year
Deferred subscription income
5
Net assets
Funds
6		 General
Landscaping
2024
2023
Funds
Fund
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
18,005
-
18,005
15,974
3,795
-
3,795
85
3,259
-
3,259
2,516
66,476
2,039
68,515
65,916
2,541
-
2,541
1,256
76,071
2,039
78,110
69,773
1,968
-
1,968
1,858
402
-
402
402
2,370
-
2,370
2,260
73,701
2,039
75,740
67,513
91,706
2,039
93,745
83,487
2,736
-
2,736
3,138
88,970
2,039
91,009
80,349
88,970
2,039
91,009
80,349

Approved by the trustees on 12 November 2024

Louise Fluker – Acting Chair

Andrew Coleman - Treasurer

16

The Richmond Society

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024

1. Accounting policies

The accounting period covered by these financial statements is for the year ended 30 September 2024. The comparative financial information is for the year ended 30 September 2023.

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102)”, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102 and the Trustees are satisfied that the financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. There are no assumptions about the future that the Trustees have been required to make that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

b Income and expenditure

Income is brought into the financial statements when received or when there is certainty of receipt. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. No provision is made for any tax on the charity’s net income as the charity is exempt from tax as all its income and expenditure relates to its charitable objectives.

c Fund accounting

The General Funds are unrestricted and can be used for any aspect of the Society's work. They comprise the General Fund and two designated funds, which the Trustees have decided, at their discretion, to set aside to use for a specific purpose. The Landscaping & Tree Fund is for income received from members and other donors and is restricted to funding these activities.

d Subscriptions and donations

Annual subscriptions are recognised in the period to which they relate. Life memberships are recognised in income on a straight-line basis over periods of 17 years.

Donations are recognised when received or when the charity is entitled to the amounts received. Subscriptions and donations include the recovery of Gift Aid where applicable.

e Services provided

The Society benefits from the provision, without charge, of a variety of skills and other services by its members. The benefit is not reflected in these financial statements since it is not regarded as practicable to estimate its monetary value.

f Stock

Stock of plaques for presentation and stock of books and drinks for sale are stated at cost or realisable value if lower.

g Fixed assets - investments

Investments are stated at market value.

17

The Richmond Society Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 (continued)

2. Expenditure on charitable activities

The Trustees believe that all the expenditure incurred relates to charitable activities. During the period:

3. Investments

Quoted investments
Market value at beginning of period
Additions at cost
Accumulated dividends
Increase/(decrease) in valuation
Valuation at 30 September		 2024
2023
£
£
15,974
15,857
-
-
398
352
1,633
(235)
18,005
15,974

4. Stock

2024 2023
£ £
Stock of books for sale 3,679 -
Stock of drinks for events 116 85
3,795 85

5. Deferred subscription income

Movement for the year
Amount brought forward:
Due within one year
Due after one year
Additions for the year
Taken to income
Closing balance
The closing balance is:
Due within one year
Due after one year		 2024
2023
£
£
402
410
3,138
3,540
-
-
(402) (410)
3,138
3,540
402
402
2,736
3,138
3,138
3,540

18

The Richmond Society Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 (continued)

6. Reserves

(a) General Funds comprise:

General Designated Legacy Total
Fund Fund Fund
£ £ £ £
Year ended 30 September 2024
Income for the year 17,411 - 2,975 20,386
Expenditure for the year 11,326 - - 11,326
Net incoming/(outgoing) before 6,085 - 2,975 9,060
investment gains/(losses)
Gains/(Losses) on investments - - 1,633 1,633
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources 6,085 -
 4,608
 10,693
Transfers between funds - -
 - -
Net movement of funds for the period 6,085 -
 4,608
 10,693
Balance at 1 October 2023 29,413 9,236
 39,628 78,277
Balance at 30 September 2024 35,498 9,236
 44,236
 88,970

The General Fund comprises reserves necessary to support the Society’s normal recurring activities. As a result of income generated from the sales of the “Richmond’s Trees” book the reserves are now in excess of 31 months of budgeted routine annual expenditure (2023: 24 months). We will investigate additional spend on projects and landscaping in the coming year

The Designated Fund represents reserves set aside to put up information boards at points of interest in the town. Further information boards are planned.

The Legacy Fund represents legacies received by the Society set aside for transformational projects that would otherwise be unaffordable.

19

The Richmond Society

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024 (continued)

(b) Landscaping Fund

The Landscaping Fund represents the unspent balance of monies raised specifically for landscaping projects. The movements on the Landscaping Fund are fully disclosed in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Overall adequacy of reserves

The Trustees are satisfied that the Society’s financial reserves are sufficient for it to continue at its current level of activities.

20