FOREST GATE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Charitable incorporated organisation Charity number 1169500
Trustees’ annual report for the year ended 5 April 2024
The trustees present their report and financial statement for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Forest Gate Community Garden (‘FGCG’ or ‘the charity’) is a charitable incorporated organisation whose principal address is 72B Hampton Road, London, E7 0NU.
Objectives of the charity
The charity’s objectives are to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals residing in Forest Gate and the surrounding area who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life, in particular through the facilitation of a community gardening, growing and volunteering project.
Activities
The garden is on designated housing land owned by the London Borough of Newham (LBN) at 136 Earlham Grove, London, E7 9AS and held by FGCG under a peppercorn lease with a contractual lease expiry date of 19[th] May 2025.
LBN’s Property Services confirmed on 31 August 2023 that it will not exercise the break clause in the lease before the contractual lease expiry date of 19 May 2025.
FGCG has received an indication from LBN’s Property Services that it will consider extending the lease for a further ten years, with LBN having a break clause after three years on twelve months’ notice. As at the balance sheet date, the lease documents are yet to be completed.
The charity has no employees and to a large extent the garden is maintained and staffed by volunteer efforts. The garden is normally open to the public for free for a number of hours each week over four days. Volunteers work in small teams as Garden Hosts during these hours.
Grants enable the charity to obtain its necessary administrative and support services (see ‘Financial Review’ below) and allow it to run other courses and workshops in gardening or the arts.
Other activities held in the garden include a number of seasonal activities and celebrations. Members of the public on occasion hire the garden for events such as birthday parties and art classes.
FGCC will be continue to explore any opportunities that present themselves beyond the garden itself
Financial Review
At 6 April 2023 the charity brought forward deferred income of £17,159 net, being grants received in cash before it provided the specified goods or services. During the year to 5 April 2024, FGCG received grants of £41,443. It recognised total grant revenue of £29,936 in
respect of activities carried out in the year and carried forward £26,572 in respect of specified goods or services to be provided in subsequent years.
At 6 April 2022 the charity brought forward deferred income of £27,611. During the year to 5 April 2023, FGCG received grants of £34,386. It recognised total grant revenue for the year of £43,596 in respect of activities carried out in the year and carried forward £17,159 net in respect of specified goods or services to be provided in subsequent years.
As in previous years, FGCG received grants from a variety of sources, including:
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£10,000 from the London Borough of Newham’s People Powered Places (PPP) funds to improve facilities and access in the Community Garden as well as projects such as workshops. FGCG received a further £10,000 in two tranches of £5,000 each on 30 August and 25 October 2024 in order to complete the project
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£10,820 received from City Bridge Trust (2022/2023 £10,957) and £7,516 from the National Lottery Community which have helped fund FGCG’s administrative and support services
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Two grants totalling £4,150 from London Catalyst.
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£2,500 from Fairy Water Trust
Revenue recognised in the year included the following amounts of £1,000 and over:
City Bridge Trust 12,708 Co-op 1,225 Our Space 1,339 London Catalyst 1 and 2 4,150 LBN PPP 3,579
Unlike many community gardens, FGCG does not charge annual membership fees but members and supporters are encouraged to make donations. Plant sales, some of which only require donations from the buyer, and similar activities, continue to be successful. In total, these two sources raised £5,564 (2022/2023:£8,433). No Garden Trail was held this year (2022/2023’s Trail raised £1,182).
At the end of the year, the charity held cash of £ 60,426 (£47,888 at 5 April 2023), being unrestricted cash of £ 33,854 and restricted cash of £ 26,572 (2023: £30,729 and £17,159 respectively).
The restricted cash balance represents cash received in advance of providing the relevant activities (deferred income). The charity will use these funds to meet its charitable objectives in the year to 5 April 2025 or thereafter. It included the following amounts of £1,000 and over:
| City Bridge Trust | 6,875 |
|---|---|
| Co-op 2023 | 1,049 |
| GLA Final | 1,039 |
| Lottery 2024 | 7,516 |
| LBN PPP | 6,421 |
| Fairy Water Trust | 2,500 |
In the period from the end of the financial year to the end of December 2024, the FGCG has successfully obtained a further £15,000 in grants.
Independent Examiner’s review
As FGCG’s revenue in the year exceeded £25,000, the trustees obtained an independent scrutiny of the financial statement. Accordingly, they appointed Da-Silva & Associates. The review is less in scope than an audit and does not involve forming an opinion as to whether the accounts are ‘true and fair’. The report to the trustees is included in the financial statements.
The Independent Examiner has reported that no material matters have come to their attention giving them cause to believe that, in any material respect, accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or that the accounts do not accord with those records.
They also reported that they had come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in the report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Reserves and going concern
FGCG has instituted a policy for the retention of unrestricted cash balances. It will retain the trustees’ estimate of the amounts that could be needed in the next twelve months for staff costs, core costs and other committed costs, net of unutilised grants received and committed grants receivable for the payment of staff costs. This amount has been set at £15,000, the policy being subject to annual review.
Trustees
The trustees during the period were as follows: Ms Kerena Fussell Mr Peter Williams Ms Hedy Richards Mr Mark Gorman Ms Maureen Egbe Mr Kevin Richard Mansell Mr David Rosenberg Ms Georgia Lindsay (resigned on 13 July 2024) Ms Donna Stokes (reappointed on 13 July 2024) Ms Myanah Saunders Laura Batatota (appointed on 13 July 2024) Lyn Brown (appointed on 13 July2024)
In the preparation of this report the charity trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Name: Myanah Saunders Chair of Trustees
Date13/12/2024
Forest Gate Community Garden
Charitable incorporated organisation
Charity number 1169500
Statement of financial activities
Year ended 5 April 2024
| Year ended 5 April 2024 Year ended 5 April 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Income from: Grants 29,936 29,936_43,596_ 43,596 Other income - - Plant sales and donatons 5,564 5,564 9,616 9,616 - 29,936 5,564 35,500_43,596 9,616 53,212_ Expenditure Charitable actvites 28,874 28,87436,844 36,844 General expenses 4,993 4,993 328_328_ Core expenses -354 354 - 28,874 4,993 33,867_37,199 328 37,527_ Net movement in funds 1,062 571 1,633 6,397 9,288 15,685 Total Funds brought forward (all unrestricted) 32,890 17,205 Total funds carried forward (all unrestricted) 34,523 32,890 |
Year ended 5 April 2024 Year ended 5 April 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Income from: Grants 29,936 29,936_43,596_ 43,596 Other income - - Plant sales and donatons 5,564 5,564 9,616 9,616 - 29,936 5,564 35,500_43,596 9,616 53,212_ Expenditure Charitable actvites 28,874 28,87436,844 36,844 General expenses 4,993 4,993 328_328_ Core expenses -354 354 - 28,874 4,993 33,867_37,199 328 37,527_ Net movement in funds 1,062 571 1,633 6,397 9,288 15,685 Total Funds brought forward (all unrestricted) 32,890 17,205 Total funds carried forward (all unrestricted) 34,523 32,890 |
Year ended 5 April 2024 Year ended 5 April 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Income from: Grants 29,936 29,936_43,596_ 43,596 Other income - - Plant sales and donatons 5,564 5,564 9,616 9,616 - 29,936 5,564 35,500_43,596 9,616 53,212_ Expenditure Charitable actvites 28,874 28,87436,844 36,844 General expenses 4,993 4,993 328_328_ Core expenses -354 354 - 28,874 4,993 33,867_37,199 328 37,527_ Net movement in funds 1,062 571 1,633 6,397 9,288 15,685 Total Funds brought forward (all unrestricted) 32,890 17,205 Total funds carried forward (all unrestricted) 34,523 32,890 |
Year ended 5 April 2024 Year ended 5 April 2023 Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total £ £ £ £ £ £ Income from: Grants 29,936 29,936_43,596_ 43,596 Other income - - Plant sales and donatons 5,564 5,564 9,616 9,616 - 29,936 5,564 35,500_43,596 9,616 53,212_ Expenditure Charitable actvites 28,874 28,87436,844 36,844 General expenses 4,993 4,993 328_328_ Core expenses -354 354 - 28,874 4,993 33,867_37,199 328 37,527_ Net movement in funds 1,062 571 1,633 6,397 9,288 15,685 Total Funds brought forward (all unrestricted) 32,890 17,205 Total funds carried forward (all unrestricted) 34,523 32,890 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29,936 5,564 | 35,500_43,596 9,616 53,212_ | ||
| 28,874 4,993 |
28,87436,844 36,844 4,993 328_328_ -354 354 - |
||
| 28,874 4,993 | 33,867_37,199 328 37,527_ | ||
| 1,633 6,397 9,288 15,685 32,890 17,205 34,523 32,890 |
|||
| 32,890 |
Forest Gate Community Garden Charitable incorporated organisation
Charity number 1169500
| Statement of financial position | |
|---|---|
| Year ended 5 April 2023 | 5 April 2024 5 April 2023 |
| £ £ |
|
| Current assets | |
| cash at bank | 60,426 47,888 |
| deferred expenditure | 669 2,161 |
| 61,095 50,049 | |
| Creditors | |
| Deferred income | 26,572 17,159 |
| Reserves | 34,523 32,890 |
| 61,095 50,049 |
Of the cash held of £ 60,426 , £ 26,572 is restricted and £ 33,854 is unrestricted
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Name
Date
13/12/2024
Myanah Saunders
Forest Gate Community Garden Charitable incorporated organisation
Charity number 1169500
Notes to the fnancial statements
Year ended 5 April 2024
Accountng policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. Grants
Grants and donations are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when
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the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
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it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
In the case of performance-related grants, income is recognised to the extent that the charity has provided the specified goods or services, which is usually as the costs of the related activities are incurred.
Forest Gate Community Garden
Charitable incorporated organisation
Charity number 1169500
Notes to the fnancial statements Year ended 5 April 2024
- Grants and donations recognised in the year
| 1. Grants and donatons recognised in the year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 April 2024 | 5 April 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| City Bridge Trust | 12,708 | 9,738 |
| Co-op 2023 | 1,225 | - |
| Co-op 2020 | - | 3,158 |
| Co-op 2021 | - | 2,295 |
| GLA Green Forest Gate | 733 | 3,000 |
| Heritage | - | 631 |
| Flourish | 200 | - |
| Forest Gate Arts | 347 | 338 |
| Ashok's Vision | 463 | 945 |
| Our Space | 1,339 | 1,093 |
| London Catalyst 1 | 3,150 | - |
| London Catalyst 2 | 1,000 | - |
| One Newham 1 | - | 500 |
| One Newham 2 | 1,000 | - |
| Let's get together | 1,304 | - |
| Big Help out | 500 | - |
| Grow your Own | 379 | - |
| Spring Workshops | 628 | - |
| Groundwork/Tesco | 967 | - |
| LBN PPP | 3,579 | - |
| Tesco 21 | 414 | - |
| Community Assembly Maryland and More Esta | - | 1,008 |
| Community assembly Forest Gate South | - | 2,166 |
| Evaluaton Exchange | - | 190 |
| London Nature Trails | - | 500 |
Gateway/crowdfunder - 6,548
| Natonal lotery community fund | - | 9,950 |
|---|---|---|
| Newham conservaton volunteers | - | 481 |
| Platnum Workshops | - | 500 |
| Alma Street | - | 100 |
| Big Lotery 2019/2020 | - | 456 |
| 29,936 | 43,596 | |
| (b) Unrestricted income | 5 April 2024 | 5 April 2023 |
| £ | £ | |
| Garden Trail | - | 1,440 |
| Donatons | 5,564 | 8,176 |
| 5,564 | 9,616 | |
| 1(c) Grant income: net movement in funds | 5 April 2024 | 5 April 2023 |
| £ | £ | |
| The net increase in funds comprises: | ||
| contributon by grantors to administratve exp | 200 | 2,650 |
| plant sales to grantors and volunteer costs | - | 2,300 |
| net surpluses less defcits on completed project 862 | 1,447 | |
| 1,062 | 6,397 |
Contribution by grantors to administrative expenses and plant sales and volunteer costs, all included in budgets submitted to grantors, are only recognised on completion and sign off of the project.
2 Deferred income and deferred expenditure
| 5 April 2024 | 5 April 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Deferred income | ||
| City Bridge Trust | 6,875 | 8,763 |
| deferred income | 1,049 | - |
| Fairy Water Trust | 2,500 | - |
| Let's Get together | 46 | - |
| GLA Green Forest Gate | 1,039 | 2,733 |
| Lotery 2024 | 7,516 | - |
| Forest Gate Arts | 708 | 463 |
| Goundwork/our space | - | 414 |
| Spring Workshops | 132 | 1,055 |
| grow your own | 121 | 1,339 |
| Groundwork UK | 33 | 750 |
| LBN grant | 132 | 500 |
| LBN PPP | 6,421 | 1,000 |
- 132 26,572 17,149
| Deferred expenditure Newham conservaton volunteers Flourish London Catalyst 2 One Newham 2 3. Core expenses restricted water supply Public liability insurance unrestricted Public liability insurance LBN waste management Companies House 4. Cash At 5 Aprril 2024 At 5 April 2023 |
(169) (169) - (1,633) - (359) (500) - (669) (2,161) - 25,903 14,988 5 April 2024 5 April 2023 £ £ (120) 120 290 301 177 168 13 13 370 591 unrestricted restricted total £ £ £ 33,854 26,572 60,426 |
|---|---|
| 32,890 17,149 47,888 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FOREST GATE COMMUNITY GARDEN
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Forest Gate Community Garden (the Charity) for the year ended 5 April 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The trustees of the organisation are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 201 1 ('the Act). They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent Examination is needed.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s account 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 cause to believe that in any material aspect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with those records
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 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
(Bea iNio,
Eileen Da-Silva FCCA Da-Silva and Associates 14 Farm Close Essex RM 10 9TX
Date: 16[th] December 2024