Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
(CIO Number:1169599)
Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ending
31st December 2024
Charity accounts preparation & independent examination service
Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
(CIO Number:1169599)
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Index | Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Receipts & Payments Accounts | 6 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8 |
Trustees' Annual Report
From: 01/01/2024 To: 31/12/2024
Charity's full name Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
Registered Charity number 1169599
Objectives and activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity set out in its governing document
1)To promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of the physical and natural environment of the area known as Gledhow Valley Woods in north Leeds("the Woods") for the benefit of the general public, including in particular by:
(a)protecting the natural beauty of the Woods,
(b) maintaining and improving facilities within the Woods, such as paths and seating,
(c) promoting biodiversity in the Woods,
(d) increasing public awareness of the Woods and thir consevation, protection and enhancement, and reflecting the opinions and concerns of the wider community in relation to the Woods,
(e) acting to prevent development in the Woods where such development may be considered damaging the Woods, it's flora and fauna or it's value as a community amenity,
(f) working with other groups that have an interest in , control over or responsibility for the Woods in furtherance of the objects of FGVW, including relevant public authorities and other local community groups.
2) To engage in any activities which in the reasonable opinion of the Trustees are conducive, ancilliary or incidental to any of the above.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts
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FGVW have continued to work with the main landowners, Leeds City Council and the Wades Charity to implement the
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a) management plan and remove litter and fly tips.
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FGVW own a field in the Woods, called Beck Pasture, and we are managing it as a wild flower meadow to improve
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b) biodiversity.
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c) FGVW hold monthly action mornings, doing a range of activities from footpath repairs to meadow management.
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The FGVW management plan aims to improve biodiversity in the woods. FGVW manage 6 wild flower meadows and work
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d) to eradicate/control invasive species.
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The 17th century Bath House, though not owned by FGVW, is opened each year on the national Heritage Open weekend in
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e) September.
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f) FGVW liaise with the private landowners where necessary.
The Trustees, Steering group and any project teams liaise with various public bodies, including the main landowners the
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Wades Charity and Leeds City Council. We are in regular contact with council sectors, Parks and Countryside, Forestry,
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g) Land Drainage and Flood Risk Management.
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FGVW also consults with outside bodies, including Yorkshire Water, the Woodland Trust, The River Stewardship Company,
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h) Groundwork UK.
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The FGVW also have ongoing community engagement programmes linking with local primary schools, arts organisations,
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i) TCV, a local community centre and numerous other community groups.
The trustees consider that they have complied with their duties to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
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Achievements and performance
Summary 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.
The FGVW trustees are pleased to report on another year of progress. 2024 saw the conclusion of a major project to address the silting up of Gledhow lake.
The £130,000 project was made possible thanks to various grant providers, with over half the money provided by Veolia.
The project aimed to manage the flow of silt into Gledhow lake through contouring, altering the flow of the two entry channels, planting of appropriate wetland plants and measures to prevent silt from entering the beck and lake directly. The bulk of the work was completed in 2023 and finished in 2024.
Many thanks to David Miles for steering the project from idea to fruition to completion.FGVW finished in the top 2 for the prestigious Ashden award, as a result of the success of this project.
The monthly action mornings have been well attended and volunteers have undertaken tasks such as dead hedge maintenance, the planting of more hedges along the sides of the woodland, pond clearing, wild flower planting and the annual cutting and raking of David Miles continued to lead the Citizen Science project to monitor water quality, using volunteers to take samples for analysis. The results should help us to understand and hopefully to improve the water quality. After more than the usual number of trees falling dramatically in 2023, the Council Woodlands Officer Lucy Clarke has marked up failing trees with a view to felling in 2025. This action is very welcome as it also creates new habitats as well as making the woodland safer.
FGVW once again attended the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival and we opened the Bath House for one of the Heritage Open Weekends. Thanks to the generosity of Wendy Jones Blackett ltd in donating discontinued greetings cards, we were able to raise funds at these events. Thanks to all the volunteers for manning the FGVW stall. Also another thank you to WJB ltd for printing small runs of FGVW Christmas cards at a competitive price. They have proved to be extremely popular and thanks to Steve Jones Blackett for his work in producing these cards.
We still face challenges in trying to manage the woodland. Japanese Knotweed is still with us, despite being on the Leeds City council knotweed map for many years. It still flourishes in places where we had hoped for its eradication. The large area of Bamboo that has spread alarmingly over the last 20 years has been the subject of a standalone project to address this in 2024/25. The Project involved eradication of bamboo where possible and spraying of other areas, along with removal of some trees. The result has been a new open area, with a pond and will hopefully provide much improved biodiversity.
Overall, 2024 was a year of maintenance of existing assets, such as paths, hedges and meadows, along with the Bamboo project. A hearty thank you to all the folk that enable FGVW to function. Adam and Carol Bull for their website and secretarial work, Adrian Coltman and Theresa Williams for enabling the action mornings to take place successfully and safely, Adrian Coltman and Mike Brown and David Lumb for their maintenance work and to Claire Johnson and Emily Wilde for making scrumptious action morning refreshments.
The trustees would like to finish this report by placing on record our grateful thanks to thank Mervyn and Joan Clayton and Trevor and Diane Kitto for their sterling work for FGVW over many years. You will be missed.
Financial review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The majority of the restricted funds were spent this year, leaving a balance of £1,019. A small surplus was made on the general reserves increasing them slightly to £14,666.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
The purpose of the Reserves Policy for FGVW is to ensure stability of the ongoing operations of the charity. Reserves are intended to provide an internal source of funds for situations such as a sudden increase in expenses, one-time unbudgeted expenses, unanticipated loss in funding or uninsured losses. The reserves may also be used for one-time, non-recurring expensesthat will build long-term capacity, such as investment in infrastructure.
Reserves are not intended to replace a permanent loss of funds or eliminate an ongoing budget gap. It is the intention of FGVW for reserves to be used and replenished within a short period of time. The Reserves Policy will be implemented in concert with other governance and financial policies of FGVW and is intended to support the goals and strategies determined by the Trustees. The target Minimum Operating reserve has been set at £1000, being equal to one years insurance premium and likely legal fees to deal with any transfer of the land asset on winding up. At this stage, the charity does not have set or predictable operating expenses and financial commitments which need to be accounted for in the Operating Reserve.
An additional sum will be held as part of the Operating reserve to account for costs incurred should a major event such as the Fun day be cancelled. This will be calculated as the average costs of the three preceeding Fun days.
Reasons for holding zero reserves N/A
Funds materially in deficit
None
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Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern None
Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity's trusts
Type of governing document Constitution
How the charity is constituted CIO
Trustee selection methods including Trustees must be drawn from the membership of the CIO details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees
Other names the charity is known by FGVW
Charity’s principal address 83, Gledhow Park Avenue Leeds
Yorkshire
Postcode LS7 4JL
Names of the trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Calvert Chair Steve Jones-Blackett Treasurer Naomi Watts-Kitto Adrian Coltman Secretary |
Names and addresses of advisers
| Type of adviser | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Examiner Karen Wood ACMA Outsource Accounting Services & IE's 2 Galligap Lane Osbaldwick, York YO10 3NR Bankers HSBC UK Bank PLC PO Box 105 33 Park Row, Leeds LS1 1LD |
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Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature MartinPCalvert Full Name Martin Calvert Position Chair Date 18th April 2025
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~~PT~~ Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
I report on the accounts of: Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods for the period ended: 31st December 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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2 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 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
17/06/2025 ~~oe~~
Karen Wood (ACMA) Outsource independent examination service 2 Galligap Lane Osbaldwick York YO10 3NR
Date:
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Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
(CIO Number:1169599)
| Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st December 2024 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st December 2024 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st December 2024 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st December 2024 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st December 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total receipts Payments Groundwork, trees & grass cutting Awards Member subscriptions Receipts Merchandise sales Grants received Donations Bank charges Tools & equipment Independent examination Events Workshops , events & exhibitions Signage & information Bat boxes Net of receipts/(payments) Water test kits & analysis Merchandise costs Insurance , subs & licence fees Balance carried forward Materials & action mornings Administration costs Website, advertising & publicity Total payments Transfer between funds Volunteer expenses Balance brought forward |
Unrestricted funds £ - 600 111 2,008 5 1,000 3,724 - 133 - - - 36 60 470 50 120 308 - 330 67 1,574 2,150 318 12,198 14,666 |
Restricted funds £ 21,587 200 - - - - 21,787 43,354 4,461 - 2,450 691 - 168 - - 35 - 269 - - 51,428 (29,641) (318) 30,978 1,019 |
2024 Total funds £ 21,587 800 111 2,008 5 1,000 25,511 43,354 4,594 - 2,450 691 36 228 470 50 155 308 269 330 67 53,002 (27,491) - 43,176 15,685 |
2023 Total funds £ 57,500 338 886 50 30 - |
| 58,804 | ||||
| 38,025 66 700 - - 337 1,911 432 - - 84 50 300 68 |
||||
| 41,973 | ||||
| 16,831 - 26,345 |
||||
| 43,176 |
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Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
(CIO Number:1169599)
| Statement of assets and liabilities at: | 31st December 2024 | 31st December 2024 | 31st December 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current bank account Petty cash Liabilities Independent examination fee Assets Cash at bank and in hand |
Unrestricted funds £ 13,664 1,002 14,666 Unrestricted funds £ 350 350 |
Restricted funds £ 1,019 - 1,019 Restricted funds £ - - |
2023 Total funds £ 14,683 1,002 15,685 2024 Total funds £ 350 350 |
2022 Total funds £ 42,678 498 |
| 43,176 | ||||
| 2023 Total funds £ 330 |
||||
| 330 |
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Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods (CIO Number:1169599)
Notes to the accounts for the period ended: 31st December 2023
1. Basis of accounts
The Trustees have taken advantage of section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
2. Restricted income funds
Fund name Purpose Lakes/ Wetland Phase 2 Groundwork to prepare the Phase 2 plans Lakes / Wetland Phase 3 Groundwork to prepare the Phase 3 plans Funding to be used in conjunction with volunteer-based input in Thriving Communities Gledhow Valley associated with Bushcraft Session for vulnerable men. Funding for the physical work used to create the wetlend beds/ponds NHLF along Gledhow Valley. Postcode Lottery Funding for improvements to water quality in Gledhow Beck, Funding to purchase Bat Boxes.
NHLF Postcode Lottery West Yorkshire Bat Group Conservation
Funding for the closure of Gledhow Valley Road and Green Fair to be held Sunday July 14th 2024. Ongoing community project to monitor the water quality of Gledhow Beck
Climate Action Leeds held Sunday July 14th 2024. Water monitoring Beck Tree Council Branching Out grant for purchase of trees LCC Inner NE Leeds Community Committee Leeds City Council Wellbeing fund
| Wades Lakes/ Wetland Phase 2 Restricted Funds Wades Postcode Lottery Unrestricted Funds NHLF Thriving Communities Space2 Leeds Lakes / Wetland Phase 3 General funds Designated for lake/wetland planting Yorkshire Water Yorkshire Water West Yorkshire Bat Group Conservation |
Balance b/fwd £ 12,198 - 12,198 2,193 4,514 6,707 - - - 1,538 2,500 14,800 - |
Incoming resources £ 2,724 1,000 |
Resources expended £ 1,574 - 1,574 2,193 4,514 6,707 5,000 6,307 11,307 1,458 2,500 14,206 2,450 |
Transfers btw funds £ 318 - 318 - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance c/fwd £ 13,666 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,724 | 14,666 | ||||
| - - |
- - |
||||
| - | - | ||||
| 5,000 6,307 |
- - |
||||
| 11,307 | - | ||||
| - | 80 | ||||
| - | - | ||||
| - | 594 | ||||
| 2,500 | 50 |
Climate Action Leeds
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| Community Foundation | 5,000 - 4 |
- 4 | - 4,682 | (318) | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water monitoring | |||||
| Voluntary Action Leeds | 283 - |
- | 283 | - | - |
| ChangeX | 150 - |
- | 150 | - | - |
| Donation | - 200 - |
200 - | 200 - | - | 200 |
| 433 200 |
200 | 433 | - | 200 | |
| Tree Council | - 2 |
2,780 2 | 780 2,780 | - | - |
| LCC Inner NE Leeds Community Committee | - 5 |
5,000 4 | 000 4,905 | - | 95 |
| Total Restricted Funds | 30,978 21 |
21,787 51 | 787 51,428 | (318) | 1,019 |
| Total Funds | 43,176 25 |
25,511 53 | 511 53,002 | - | 15,685 |
The underspend of funds from Climate Action Leeds of £318 was transferred to general funds to contribute towards the Action Mornings at Gledhow Valley Wopds.
Approval of accounts for the year ended: 31st December 2024
The report and accounts were approved at a meeting of the Trustees held on:
12.06.2025 Date ~~|~~
13.06.2025 ~~ee~~ Signed for and on behalf of the trustees Date Steven Jones-Blackett Treasurer ~~OE~~ Print name Position (e.g. Chair etc)
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