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2023-03-31-accounts

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum

Trustees’ Annual Report and Receipts and Payments accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Registered Charity number 1170171

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Index
Page
Report of the trustees 3-10
Report of the Independent Examiner 11
Receipt and payment accounts 12
Statement of assets and liabilities 13
Notes to the accounts 14-16

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Report of the trustees

The trustees of the Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (“the Charity”) have pleasure in presenting the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity’s Constitution.

The Charity was registered on 15 November 2016 and commenced activity once a bank account had been opened and funds transferred from the previous unincorporated charity in February 2019.

Objectives and activities

As set out in its Constitution, the Charity’s objects are:

The Charity pursues its objects through the following activities:

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Report of the trustees continued

In shaping the objectives for each year, and planning ahead, the Trustees take due consideration of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance “Public Benefit: Running a Charity (PB2)”.

As with most other organisations, COVID had required us to respond to emerging situations whereas the financial year April 22 to March 23 allowed time for reflection, contemplation, and the ability to develop a more strategic approach. We analysed the skill set of our board of Trustees, looked at our staff profile and surveyed our members; such a comprehensive review of our entire organisation equipped us with the intelligence to identify areas where we had little influence or sufficient expertise. This wholescale review provided the impetus for many changes within our organisation and at all levels and a great deal of what we must do carries forward to 23 – 24. We believe that the foundations laid during 22 – 23 will allow us to respond at a city level to the challenges of inequality, austerity and climate crisis.

Achievements and performance

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF) is a membership organisation that brings together people in Birmingham with an interest in parks and green open spaces. We support groups who want to ensure that green open spaces are accessible to people who live and work across the city. We do this by providing information to groups and individuals. We create opportunities for groups and individuals interested in open spaces to share skills, knowledge and experience by arranging networking and knowledge exchange events. We also produce regular updates about funding sources, training opportunities, events in open spaces and other information of interest to our members.

We believe that an ‘open space’ is any green area accessible to the local community and this includes parks, allotments, nature reserves, public open spaces, cemeteries, wildlife corridors, woodlands, playing fields, community gardens and informal green spaces.

During the year we set up 14 new groups and undertook intensive community development endeavors, hopefully concluding with the formation of a further 10 groups. Other activities continued including an increased social media presence which not only served to celebrate the work and successes of our membership but also acted as the conduit of information relating to the environmental agenda, our partners and the safe use of parks whilst the effects of the

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

pandemic continued. At the close of the financial year our Twitter followers numbered 2,959, Facebook 2,171 and Instagram 1,129 which were increases on the previous years’ activity of 10.5%, 26% and 15.45% respectively. Visits to our website increased by 30% and totalled 155,352.

During the year we organised 12 events which took place at a range of locations and online. Delightfully, we were able to resume two hugely significant and impactful member meetings; our annual conference and our Christmas lecture, both of which had been either suspended during the COVID crisis or done online.

( B) To promote the protection, conservation, and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Birmingham.

With support from Birmingham City Council and Get Grants Ltd., we continued to operate a ‘seed corn fund’ for member groups. This provided member groups with a means to apply for funding for projects they wanted to deliver. £20,000 from Birmingham City Council (‘BCC’) enabled the generation of funds to the value of £188,723 for sites across the city allowing our members to protect, improve and enhance their respective park and/or open space.

Our Freelance Administrator collected volunteer data from member groups allowing us to promote the great work and extent of volunteering taking place in Birmingham’s parks and open spaces. During the year, a total of 137 member groups undertook 97,598 hours of volunteering work across a range of disciplines. This information is hugely influential and informative to Birmingham Parks Service as well as many other environmental partners as it is indicative of the high regard that our public spaces have in the affections of Birmingham residents as well as the overall desire and need to improve on such spaces and utilise them to their full extent. Once again, our excellent data collection is at the heart of our success with funders as well as our influence with strategic partners.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

We continued to support the City of Nature Alliance (previously known as the Future Parks Accelerator Programme) both strategically and as a delivery partner. We consolidated this work by retaining a community development position in the Bordesley and Highgate areas of the city having identified the potential and absolute need for further intensive work despite the wider Alliance project having ceased in those areas.

We continued to be represented on the Midlands Park Forum and the National Federation of Parks & Green Spaces continuing our national profile. Other organisations we have worked closely with include Birmingham Parks Service, Birmingham East Regeneration Team, Members, the City of Nature Alliance, the Earth Heritage Trust, Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, RSPB, National Trust, NHS Social Prescribing Service, Natural England, Veolia, Community Payback Service and the River Cole & Tyseley Energy Park.

The continuing development of both our good reputation and infrastructure has allowed us to collaborate more extensively with partners to develop mutually beneficial projects which bring us closer to our charitable aims and objectives. During the year, we began planning a large project with the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and supported a University of Birmingham student placement. We have developed relationships with Councillors to promote the improvement of parks and open spaces and in doing so, influenced the ward planning processes. Of long-term significance was the cultivation of a synergistic relationship with Birmingham Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment; this relationship has allowed us to document the immense volunteering efforts of our members, the potential for further such efforts, and the protection of the Council funding which supports what we do.

(C) To promote and enhance the open spaces within the City of Birmingham as recreational facilities in the interest of social welfare, to improve the conditions of life for the inhabitants without distinction of political, religious, or other opinions:

We continued to secure funding allowing for the provision of Tai Chi sessions across Birmingham and we have helped 2 of our members to access funding for similar independently of us. Recognising that Tai Chi attracted new visitors to our green spaces, we began to examine how we might provide other opportunities and amongst many meetings to drive this forward, met with public health representatives about how we might become involved in the roll out of green prescribing as well as tentative planning for walking projects. We have continued to develop support for additional groups working to improve their local streets and areas through ‘Greening the Grey’ the effects of which are to be seen in reductions of litter, minor works, trough planting and improved community cohesion.

Our collective voice was used to positively influence the plans of the Lawn Tennis Association who initially strove to restrict access to tennis courts which had been refurbished. As a result of our endeavours, this is no longer the case.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Financial review

Over the year, BOSF received a total income of £207,946. Of this income there was an expenditure of £183,932 leaving an operating surplus of £18,014.

Income

BOSF’s net income has decreased by £41,218. The organisation received grants from various funders. These sources of income have allowed us to finance all our activities as well as guarantee a consistent restricted and unrestricted stream of funding.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

During 22- 23 we paid particular attention to our profile and sought to cultivate relationships and partnerships with individuals and organisations with mutual interests. The foundations built and capitalized on during this year will be cornerstones of how we generate income e.g. the work we have begun with the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.

Expenditure

Although some individual elements of our expenditure dropped during 22 – 23, our overall expenditure increased by 35% and this reflects a return to normal working practices following COVID. Our staff costs increased as we were able to employ an additional member of staff (February 2022) and associated with having a busier team, were the increases in fundraising, travel expenses, Tai Chi and conferencing/networking.

Overview

2022-2023 has been a very successful year for BOSF and we are very proud of all that we have achieved together. Our Trustees spent time deliberating on probable challenges and their foresight has steered BOSF to a place where we are more able to sustain ourselves.

Based on the information available in respect of the future, the reviewed forecast and cashflow for March 2024, and the income generated during the current financial year, Trustees are confident that BOSF has the plans and resources to manage its business risk successfully and to continue delivering its core activities effectively next year.

Reserves policy

As part of the BOSF’s Reserves Policy, BOSF holds a reserves account to ensure that main operations can continue for a period of at least three months and that redundancy costs are covered if funding difficulties arise. At end of March 2023, the account held £25,253.55. Currently free reserves total £129, 783 which exceeds our requirement by £104,530. Trustees plan to review the reserves policy and expenditure plans and reserves levels may be adjusted as perceptions of risks and other factors change.

Structure, Governance and Management

BOSF registered as a CIO with the Charities Commission for England and Wales on 15 November 2016.

Governing Document

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum is a registered Charity governed by its Constitution adopted on 16 February 2016 and amended on 10 July 2017, 27[th] April 2022 and 26[th] April 2023.

Appointment of trustees, induction & training

All trustees are elected at a BOSF Annual General Meeting and serve a two-year term. They bring with them skills, knowledge, and experience to contribute to the Charity’s activities and to discharge their obligations as Trustees. Recent constitutional changes provided for an increase in the number of our trustees and in doing so, strengthened the skills, expertise and diversity of our Board.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

In order to keep the Trustees and Friend’s groups fully informed of the progress of the projects and to ensure that staff are provided with support and strategic direction, meetings are held monthly, alternating between Trustees only meetings and advisory committee meetings.

Management and administration

The Community Open Spaces Development Manager’s role is to develop and manage the Forum in line with current aims and objectives as well as raise the profile of BOSF locally and nationally and establish good links with Parks and Open Spaces Community Groups, Birmingham City Council and all interested agencies. Amongst other duties, the manager helps to set up new groups and support existing ones, attends Steering group meetings, and give regular update reports and newsletters; organises and runs BOSF annual conference and networking opportunities in Birmingham and helps secure funding, not only to friend’s groups, but also the Forum.

The Communications Officer’s role is to support the effective promotion of BOSF’s aims and objectives using a mix of social media, communications, and marketing channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Website) and attending steering group meetings with partners. In addition, the Communications Officer assists BOSF’s member groups on social media and communications.

The Volunteer Development Co-ordinator’s role is to engage with park users and the wider community to develop opportunities for the community to be more active in their outdoor spaces. This work promotes good health and wellbeing through volunteering to improve spaces and encouraging the taking part in activities that promote self-care. Ideally, this work will generate the formation of Friends Of groups and associated activities creating more inclusiveness in all open spaces which leads to a more positive community feel.

Freelance administrator provides administrative support on a part time basis. Her main aim is to gather and compile volunteer data from Friend’s groups, produce infographics and give administrative support in meetings.

The Operations Manager oversees all operations including staff, trustee recruitment, management accounts, project delivery, strategy and reporting to the Trustees. This post continues to strengthen our governance as a Charity and indeed as an employer.

The Trustees delegate the day-to-day running and administering of the charity and its activities to the Operations Manager, Community Open Spaces Development Manager and other members of the staff team.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Reference and administrative information

Charity Number: 1170171

Trustees:

C Blythe (Chair) T Clark (resigned 26 April 2023) A Grande Cristobal E Woolf MBE N Brown (appointed 26 April 2023) C Nijjar (appointed 26 April 2023) F Elder (appointed 26 April 2023) M Checkley (appointed 26 April 2023) R Brown (appointed 26 April 2023) S Watson (appointed 26 April 2023) N Worton (appointed 26 April 2023)

Registered Office:

School of Horticulture The White House Kings Heath Park Vicarage Road B14 7TQ

Bankers: Independent Examiner: Unity Trust Bank plc Karen Hanlan independent Examiner Ltd Nine Brindley Place 1 Saracen Close Birmingham Ettington B1 2HB CV37 7SZ

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Date: 15[th] January 2024

C Blythe Chair of Trustees

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Birmingham Open Spaces Forum on the receipts and payments accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 12 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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:

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.

Karen Hanlan, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited

Date: 15 January 2024

1 Saracen Close, Ettington, CV37 7SZ

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Receipts and Payments Accounts
RECEIPTS
Donations & grants
Charitable activities
Bank Interest
Total receipts
PAYMENTS
Fundraising costs
Payments for volunteer data collection
Staff cost (note 1)
FRAP project costs
Tai Chi Sessions
Project professional fees
Other project costs
Freelance administrator
Consultancy fees
Conference & networking events
Website/IT costs
Travel expenses
Insurance
Payroll charges
Independent Examiners fee
Bank charges
Management Fee
Total payments
NET OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
Transfer of funds
Cash funds at beginning of year
Cash funds at end of year		 Un-restricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2023
Total funds
2022
£
£
£
£
71,215
30,338
101,553
116,960
34,285
71,850
106,135
132,192
258
-
258
12
105,758
102,188
207,946
249,164
-
19,547
19,547
6,400
12,090
-
12,090
9,520
37,215
38,041
75,256
61,717
13,943
-
13,943
19,653
477
35,124
35,601
15,743
-
12,000
3,122
1,470
4,592
775
633
8,205
8,838
7,048
6,254
-
6,254
-
2,562
-
2,562
150
836
-
836
163
2,344
-
2,344
1,187
557
-
557
471
284
-
284
240
1,000
-
1,000
650
228
-
228
126
(321)
321
-
-
81,224
102,708
183,932
135,843
24,534
(520)
24,014
113,321
4,635
(4,635)
-
-
100,614
65,249
165,863
52,542
129,783
60,094
189,877
165,863

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Un-restricted Restricted 2023 2022
funds funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Unity Trust Current account 104,529 60,094 164,623 145,679
Unity Trust Deposit account 25,254 - 25,254 20,184
Cash at bank and in hand 129,783 60,094 189,877 165,863

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Date: 15[th] January 2024

C Blythe Chair of Trustees

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

Notes to the financial statements

1. Staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses

Staff costs comprise:
Salaries
Working from home allowance
National Insurance
Pension costs
Total		 2023
2022
£
£
72,281
59,263
864
710
-
-
2,111
1,744
75,256
61,717

The charity’s Trustees were not paid nor received any other benefits from employment in the year (2022: £nil). No expenses were reimbursed to Trustees in the year (2022: £nil).

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

2. Fund movements

Restricted
funds
Funder
Fund purpose
Awards for All
Volunteer Group Support
Selly Oak NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Selly Oak Park
Edgbaston
NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Edgbaston Park
Erdington NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Erdington Park
Hall Green
NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Hall Green Park
Ladywood NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Ladywood Park
Northfield NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Northfield Park
Perry Barr NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Perry Barr Park
Yardley Green
NNS
Thai Chi sessions in Yardley Park
Birmingham
Sport &
Physical
Activity Trust
Tai Chi sessions in local parks
William
Cadbury Trust
Tai Chi sessions in local parks
Greening The
Grey
Support for groups to clean up
open spaces
Seedcorn Fund
Funding to support groups with
applications for funding
FINCH RSPB
Engaging communities with their
natural heritage
Dulverton
Trust
Website development in 2024
Cona Project
Funding towards FPA programme
Unrestricted
funds
General funds
Total		 Balance
at
beginning
of year
Receipt
s
Payments
Transfer
s
Balance
at end
of year
£
£
£
£
£
7,410
-
(7,410)
-
-
4,282
4,700
(5,675)
-
3,307
4,370
-
(3,930)
-
440
3,840
5,000
(6,715)
-
2,125
4,470
7,870
(7,784)
-
4,556
1,670
-
(1,497)
-
173
4,370
-
(4,295)
-
75
1,810
-
(1,523)
-
287
3,760
-
(2,812)
-
948
-
2,440
(136)
-
2,304
-
1,000
(757)
-
243
3,624
28,585
(27,695)
-
4,514
23,600
30,000
(19,547)
-
34,053
2,043
13,265
(10,673)
(4,635)
-
-
4,328
-
-
4,328
-
5,000
(2,259)
-
2,741
65,249
102,188
(102,708)
(4,635)
60,094
100,614
105,758
(81,224)
4,635
129,783
165,863
207,946
(183,932)
-
189,877

Transfers relate to the Finch Project in respect of an agreed fee for access to BOSF data and membership and on-going hosting of an RSPB resource on the website.

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Birmingham Open Spaces Forum Trustees Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023

3. Transactions with related parties

There were no transactions with related parties during the year that require disclosure in these accounts (2022: none).

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