FOCPP AGM MINUTES 6th August 2020
- meeting via Zoom 7 9pm
Attendance
Lucy Hopkins (Chair), David Vallade (Vice Chair), Anita Dyson (Secretary), Ray Sacks (Trustee), Peter Hore (Trustee), Ellinor Michel, Francis Bernstein, Martin Tempia, Philip Kolvin, Iain Boden, Angela Wilkins, Rosie Hardicker, Sarah Slaughter, Francesca Canty, Kalina Palka, Noreen Meehan, John Greatrex, Hugh Dames, Andrew Crow, Pat Trembath, Sue Giovanni, Peter Austin, Andrea Kues-Johnson, George Irvin, Robin Buck, Janet McLeavy, Ross Harvey, Alexander Pearce, Ellie Dyson, Oliver Marshall, Barry Milton, Annabel McLaren, Penny Read
Apologies
Amy Moore
1.1 2018 AGM Minutes accepted
1.2 Annual Report
Welcome to everyone after a difficult but nevertheless productive year. Aimee Griffiths, Hugh Dames and treasure Jane Sheridan have resigned, thank you for all their work over the years.
Fortunately we have some new members taking on significant roles relating to the Trusts' governance of the running of Crystal Palace Park from January 2022, so we are especially welcoming of their joining at this transformative time.
Positive news to report is that the new cafe has opened with great success. It also stocks the 'Friend's CCP' healthy duck food which educates the public as to what ducks should be fed and generates some income for the Friends. The community space above the cafe has been used for many events. It would be good to get a breakdown of the events so far.
The Subway Group have had a grant of 2.34 million secured from the City of London and there have been donations too.
Causes for concern relate to security in the park. There are worrying complaints from walkers in the park seeing antisocial behaviour and not knowing who they can report to.
1.3 Report from Ellinor: Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Pleased to report that the new bridge is built and ready to go into place starting the 1[st] week of September. There is a need for more conservation of the of the dinosaurs, only 9 of the 21 have been worked on and during the lockdown the Megalosauraus suffered damage. It is expected that a million pounds will be needed overall. The dinosaurs are now on the Heritage at Risk register and, working with Historic England, the group are hoping for more funding.
1.4 Report from Francis: Concert Bowl Working Group
Bromley have approved the concert bowl as 'an Asset of Community Value'; as such it is suitable for staging events large and small.
Stuart Wilson is launching a plaque commemorating Bob Marley's famed concert on the site to be unveiled in October on Open House Day. Open House have been filming in various parts of the park for this event. Bromley have been quickly helpful and supportive in this regard.
There will be a pond clear up later in the year. Voting for South London's Best Park finishes this week.
1.5 Report from Martin Tempia: Events Subgroup
A series of groups has been set up dealing with funds, landscape and coms. The groups are made up of local people with specialisms in the relevant fields. More events are often requested and though the income is vital for regeneration they are hugely problematic.
The Trust will be responsible for events from 2022 taking over from IDVerdi. The Trust with seven new members met for the first time yesterday. There is a real enthusiasm for events in the park provided they are well managed and diverse in interest.
The target is to be a recognised event venue.
Response from Pat Trebah expressing concern that there is not the infrastructure (including roads) in the park to support large events and a housing development.
1.6 Report from Lucy: Information Centre
The Information Centre has been hugely successful with over 25,000 recorded visits, greater interest shown and well attended children's events until the Lockdown. Happily the Information Centre is now securely a part of Regeneration Plan.
1.7 Report from David and Penny: The Secret Garden
David and Penny have lead the Secret Garden Project most successfully until the Lockdown. Monthly, second Sunday gardening and maintenance sessions are well attended by a steadfast group of 8 to 10 and the Secret garden is used as a learning resource about the wild environment for various children's events.
1.8 Report from Lucy: Adventure Learning
Hugh has delivered 150 education sessions with primary age kids. 1000 students have benefited from his Physics For Fun Rides and 200 more sessions were planned before Lockdown.
IDVerde were commissioned to deliver education in the borough but the wait goes on. IDVerde has also prevented the summer education programme, which was tailored to connect with the history and ecology of the park.
Hugh sadly resigned as the sessions were not supported so the Trust is needed to help take this forward.
Penny Read, responding- Yes it has been a fantastic programme for schools. There is good news that 'Beech' has started an education programme and will deliver a series of education based sessions.
Philip Kolvin responding- No conceptual whole and lack of money has prevented development for 4 years. Expecting that the new trust will bring out biodiversity and the history of the park. Jo Burns of The National Trust is supporting plans. There is need to harness local talent.
Lucy responding- Having devoted 8 years to the park it is a shame that Beckenham Place has more to offer a family with young children. The new contract with IDVerde has seen a decline in park maintenance, eg. 6 Months to repair the fountain. In addition Ecology management has been problematic with the pruning of nesting sites, poor litter clearance, inadequate signage. Litter signs and 'no barbecue' signs have been designed but not even
acknowledged by Bromley. The loss of The Heritage and Environment Group and The Community Fund has been felt acutely. The children's playground needs redesigning. In addition the lack of affordable housing in the regeneration plan is problematic.
George Irving responding- Back to basics required, Park Keepers are needed and would be cheaper than a company like IDVerde and having offered to resurface the top area did not even receive a response from IDVerde.
Lucy responding- Agreed, Some of the park rangers, Sue Holland in particular knew the park well. The role of The Friends and The Trust is blurred, communication between various interest groups needs to be better.
1.9 Annual Accounts
Please read PDF. There have been £8,400 receipts for events, various donations and the cafe selling healthy duck food. There was a grant work for the art work and Easter Egg Hunt. Balance now £12,000.
Accounts adopted.
1.10 Election of Committee
Lucy Hopkins (Chair), Anita Dyson (Secretary), Ray Sacks (Trustee), Peter Hore (Trustee) all re-elected
David Vallade (Vice Chair) formally elected
Andrew Crow and Andrea Kues-Johnson elected
1.11 Update and discussion from Mark Tempia and Philip Kolvin Co Chair CPPT
Would like to welcome new trustees which bring a range of experience and skills which will be required when running the park. It has been a busy lockdown with an incredible amount achieved. There are 7 new trustees including experts in fundraising, corporate communications and leadership. The influx of experts will take plans forward re events which will bring in money to improve the concert bowl. However no money to date and will have to pay for management. 'Urban Green' are an organisation running parks and open spaces in Macklesfield and their model may be of use in this situation. The contract with IDVerde has only just been made available and Valerie Shawcross has been instrumental in opening lines of communication between Bromley Council and the GLA.
Philip Kolvin Responding- Unconstrained events are not what's required but commercial expertise to find other sports and user interests which can be funded by raising money from a couple of major events each year. A range of smaller events some using the concert bowl involving local talent, cultural interest, Yoga, wedding parties, proms in park etc but if affordable housing is permitted there is no money left over for the park.
Angels Wilkins responding- Would hope that infrastructure would follow planning.
Ray Sacks - The Subway will have facilities put in. Other toilets in the park and other basics depend on money. Who gets the various incomes?
Philip Kolvin - ….Transmitters fees etc
Martin Tempia - The whole plan hinges on the housing development. Capel Manor have withdrawn the application to build a large educational establishment- but they will continue with the farm.
Andrea Ejohnson - As a local resident now saddened by how feral the park has become, lack of toilets, motorbikes unconstrained, speed limits not kept to, rubbish uncollected, illegal fishing, dumping of barbecues. The park feels unsafe and the basics of sanitation and security are missing.
Philip Kolvin- There are difficulties finding out who is responsible for what and who supervises the management. From Jan 22 we take responsibility for all those concerns. Stake Holder mapping is beginning to ascertain precise needs.
Martin Tempia- Urban Green monitored all contractors.
Penny Read - Contractors AMEY deal with toilets, Jack Thompson deals with events and security is dealt with by Toby Smith at Bromley. IDVerde are landscaping councillors and dialing 999 is the best way to deal illegal activities.
Ellinor - Park By-laws don't seem to apply in Crystal palace park.
Angela Wilkins – Will follow up.
Lucy- Time now up and closing the meeting.
Noreen Meaton from Crystal Palace Festival - Thank you Lucy for all your hard work and thank you David Vallade as well. Jack Thompson and Toby (security) should be at these meetings.
Thank you all for attending.
Anita Dyson Secretary
Friends Crystsl Pal Park (Trts for the year ending 31 Lkcembèr 2020 Cash Bank Toi?12020 Total 2019 Donatn8 Grants Irestnctal Athenlur¢ L¢atnin Info Centre Sules Duck F(KxI Sakrys 1C 1775 70 Total Re¢el 176 10 875 Garden AthorkAe2flels Restncll Adverrture Leam TOTAL 15 15 23 Adm 15 95 379 Ouck food Art mat8ll V8nue hir• Corert Pthrni 120 Tthl Jrth 479 479 OpthrvJ 8alonu• brouoht fonvrd 31 12 Clo•lny BalwK 31 31 12 11 12 Grant IrerKt•J l Rec'd >)17 EwditLKe 2017 Eypenditwe 2018 ExwdrtLn 3)19 Expend'lure 2 CIF to 2020 10.4 -1.916 Pl•1d by. 84Mtur• Cryal Pthe P4rk Ihe yewto 31 2C Ind•p•nd•nt R•vlawr: .I,{I
Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the Trustees/Members of The Frlends of Crystal Palace Park Charity no.: 1170259 On accounts for the year ended 3151 December 2020 I report to the trustees on my examInatk of the accounts of the above charlty 1.the Trusfl for the vear ended 31" Dmber 2020. As the charity's tru5tee5, you are responslble for the prepwion of the accounts In accordan with the requirements of the Charities Art 20111lhe Acf). I report In re5pert of my examlnatbon of the Trusys accounts arried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrwng out my examlnalon. I have follth¥ed all the applicab Directions 8fven bv the Charity Commission under sectiw 145ISllbl of the ACL I have completed my examlnatl¢n. I confirm that no materlal matters have a)me to myattentlon In connection with the examination wthich gives me cwse to believe that in, any material respect. the accountin8 records were not kept In Kcordanc• wlth wrti¢n 130 of the Charities Ac(. or the ac¢ounts dld n¢t accord vAth the C(jnIITrg rerds. or the accounts dld not comply wlth the appllcable requlrements concernlng the fomi and content of account5 Set out in the Charlties (Accounts Reports) Aegulatlon$ 2008 other than any requirement th•t the a¢ctyJnts give a'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered a5 Part of an Independentexamlnatson. I have no concerns and have come a(r05s no other matters In ¢ine(tIon with the examln•tlt)n to which attention should be drawn In thls report In orderto enable a proper understanding of the a¢counts to be reathed. Sl8n•d D•te N•mv. Ke5th Tre¥orAndrews Rel•vant Profe$5ion41 QuglifKatlons: Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finan and ACcntancY IFCPFAI MÈmbeT of the British Computer ScKiety IMBCSI Address: Flat 3, 72 Auckland R¢xl. Upper Norwo. London SE19 2DH