Trustees. Annual Report for the period Peric%1 stsrt date Penod end date From ni To 2025 1 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Friends of Wakering Common Other names charity is known by Registerèd charlty number (If any) 1174836 Charity's principal addrnss 22 Newstead Road Great Wakenng Essex Postcodo SS3 OA8 Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Datm •cted if not for ththol? •ar Trustee n•m• Office Ilf any) Name of per•on lor bodyl orrtltlèd toa oint trustofr if an Membership Membership Membership Membership Membership John Whatley Gillian Cain Phillip Hrtchman Jo McPherson Chrislophpr INeils Names of Ihe trustees for tho charity, if any, {for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear None Chair Names and addresses of advisers (Optional Infomiation) pe of adviser Name Addre88 None Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional infomiationl John Whalley - Chair FOWC - TAR
Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Dèscription of the charity's trusts Constilulion as approved by the Charity Commission on 25 September 2017 {no amendments sin) Type of goveming document How the charity is constrtuted Charitable Incorporaled Organisation (CIO) Trustee selection m8thods The mernbership elects Trustees at the Annual General Meeting, with ¢)ne-third of Trustees retinng at the AGM and being eligible to sland again for relection. Additional governance issu88 (Optional infomationl The Fnends of Wakering Common I"FoWC"I have the following policies whith can t downloaded from our web site w•M.wakerin9common.comlgoveman¢e-policies You may choose lo include additional information, where relevant, about., policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees., the Charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charrty works. Charty Constrtution Code of condud Gift and donalion acceptance policy Equal opportunrts poli¢y Complaints procedure Health ar#a Safety Policy The organisatsonal structure of the FOWC is that the trustees are hands on with responsibl1rt 'ng splrt by tOPlC5 to respective trustees: relationship any related parties-, trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures lo manage them. Admin and accounts'ng. membership and correspondence Congervation and natural environment Fund raising Health and safety - regular risk assessments have been and will continue to be undertaken to make sure that any activities of the FOWC are held In a safe as possible manner. Section C Ob'ectives and activities The objectives of the charity are to promote for the benefit of the public the conseNation. protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and the peaceful enjoyment oflhe Great Wakering Common (and area surrounding the Commonl. Summary of the objects of the charlty set out In its governing document The FOWC was fomied as a direct result of the Gat Wakenng Parish Council not renewing the lease on the Great Wakering Common and allowing the Common to become overgrown and neglected. After reaching agreement with the landowner in November 2017, the FOWC entered into a management agreement to "manage. the Common to ensure that the Common was usable and acssible by the Public. Summary of the main activities undertaken for tho public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) Many parts of the Common were not safely accessible and required Teclaiming before the public could use these parts of the Common. Using social media and setting up rts own Facebook page with now over 1.200 followers. the FOWC have brought the local community logether and created a sense of belonging and comradery with many more of the FOWC - TAR
public using the Common than before and feeling that they are stakeholders in the Common. We have found that many members of the public are now taking il upon themselves to help keep the Common Glean and free from litter. The FOWC have installed a bin at one of the entranS to the Common. which is regularty emptied by volunteers. Although privately owned. the public have the right to roam on the Common, but without Maintenan by the FOWC, the public's right to exercise Iheir iighl to roam was being restricted and not encouraged or enjoyable During ils eighlh full year. the FOWC have maintained all the paths I walks through previously overgrown and unpassable parts of the Common making the visitor's experience more enjoyable. Each spring sees the Common bloom with the thousands of bulbs that were planted by the Working parties in previous years. The FolAC have purchased a second-hand ride on mower to help the volunteers with cutting the paths, meaning that all paths can be cut in one go rather than over several attempts. Additlonal detsils of obctIveS and activiti?$ (Optional Inforniatlon The work over the Common has been undertaken by unpaid volunteers who have freely donated their time for the benefit of the public. Without the volunteers. the excellent progress which has been made this year would nol have happened. The FOK would like to pUblY thank the following.. the landowners. the Bentall family. who have been very accomm¢xlating and supporting. The Threadgold family for their support Section D Achievements and performance During its 8th full year. the FOWC have continued to exed the initial plans and the Common has seen many new members of the public visiling and enjoying what it has to offer, including but not limited to, healthy exercise, acting as a community meeting pla, vehicle to volunteer and participate in a local project. and even wild fruit and blathberry picking in the summer. Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year During the year the FOWC have continued to. cleared and maintained the paths on Ihe Common maintained and cleared ditches mainlained the current equipment FOWC - TAR
Section D Achievements and performance paid for the Cornmon to have Its summer grass cut regularly emptsed tmn The Common is now officially part of the National Trust's England Coasl Path National Trail. Section E Financial review The trustees intend to spend the money raised on the Common whilst saving to purchase addrtional and better equipment Brief statement of the ¢harrty's policy on resoNe8 pn)Jen thctate$ that a reserye will always be held to cover the forthcomirvJ year5 fixed OVertadS such as liability insurance, running costs and Ihe repair and replacement of equipment and the ability of the chanty to contsnue in long term. The Fnends purchased a second-hand nde on mower and it has proven to be very successful. but only has an expected life of maybe another years. Once that machine is no longer usable. a new one will need to be purchased which will considerably reduce the accumulated reserves. The ear end reserves stood at £21,585 2024 £21,919 Detsils of any fund$ materially In deficit None Further financial review detsils (Optional infomiation) The membership of the Fol£ at year end stood at 80 paid up members {84 in 2024. 96 in 2023. 138 in 2022), contnbuting £400 in membership You may choose to Include additional information, where levanl about.. the charity s principal sources of funds {in¢luding any fundraising)., how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity, investment policy and FOWC - TAR Fund raised directly from membership was £937 with £194 claimed as Gift aid. vrith operating expenses for the year being £1,465 This resulted in a deficFt of £334 from members contributions. Total donations received were £537 (before gift aid reclaim) of which £537 was from members and individuals and £0 donated by Corporates. Total income for the period of £1.131 12024 £12.196).
objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. All expenditure related to the costs of maintaining and improving of the Common. All cash is mainly held al the HSBC and is not currently invested but ma orit held on de osit. Section F Other optional information Further information ¢an be found by visiting wNw.waker'.n common coy or on our Facebook group. Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charlty's trusts88 Slgnaturels) Full namels) Posftlon (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date John Whatley Chair of Trustees Phil Hitchman Trustee 27 November 2025 FOWC - TAR
Friends of Wakering Common
Registered Charity number 1174836
Statement of Financial Activities for the period 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2025
| Incoming resources Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Other trading activities 3 Total Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 Charitable activities 4 Total Net income/(expenditure) before investment gains/(losses) Net gains/(losses) on investments Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Fixed Assets Note Tangible assets 5 Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand 7 Total current assets Creditors:amounts falling due within one year 8 Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:amounts falling due after one year Total net assets or liabilities Funds of the Charity Endowment funds Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds Revaluation reserve Total funds Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2025 |
2025 2024 £1,131 £12,194 £0 £2 £1,131 £12,196 £0 £0 £1,465 £1,310 £1,465 £1,310 (£334) £10,886 £0 £0 (£334) £10,886 (£334) £10,886 £21,919 £11,033 £21,585 £21,919 £1,602 £383 £1,602 £383 £194 £235 £20,189 £21,701 £20,383 £21,936 £400 £400 £19,983 £21,536 £21,585 £21,919 £0 £0 £21,585 £21,919 £0 £0 £0 £0 £21,585 £21,919 £0 £0 £21,585 £21,919 Unrestricted Funds |
|---|---|
Friends of Wakering Common Registered Charity number 1174836 Notes to the accounts
Note 1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:
the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
Note 2 Accounting policy and other information
Recognition of income
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
-
The charity becomes entitled to the income;
-
The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the income; and
-
The monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliably.
Income with related expenditure - Where income have related expenditure (as with fundraising) the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA.
Grants and donations - Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the receipts.
Contractual income and performance related grants - This is only included in the SoFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
Gifts in kind - Gifts in kind that are of substantial monetary value and can be estimated with sufficient reliability are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised.
Donated services and facilities - These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these receipts is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
Investment income - This is included in the financial statements when receivable.
Investment gains and losses . - This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments at the end of the year.
Expenditure and Liabilities
Liability recognition - Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make payment.
Friends of Wakering Common
Registered Charity number 1174836
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Governance costs - Included costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of governing board meetings and cost of any legal advice for the governing board on governance or constitutional matters.
Assets , Property, Plant & Equipment - These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. They are valued at cost (less depreciation) or, if gifted, at the value of the charity on receipt.
Other
Related party transactions - The charity has undertaken no related party transactions during the financial period. None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration, expenses or received any other benefits from the charity.
Cash flow statement - As a small entity, the charity has taken advantage of paragraph 3.1B of FRS 102 not to prepare a cash flow statement.
| Note 3 - Income Note Membership fees (members 80) Donations - Individuals Gift Aid reclaimed Donations - Corporate 9 Note 4 - Expenditure Ride on mower service / repairs Entrance rubbish bin and bags Petrol Room Hire re AGM Consumables and repairs Merchant charges Public Liability Insurance Annual Grass Cut Email, web site & domain Bank charges Depreciation |
2025 2024 £400 £420 £537 £673 £194 £235 £0 £10,868 £1,131 £12,196 £144 £76 £19 £39 £113 £25 £25 £39 £7 £8 £10 £134 £129 £400 £400 £84 £86 £62 £62 £530 £383 £1,465 £1,310 |
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Friends of Wakering Common
Registered Charity number 1174836
Notes to the accounts (continued)
Note 5 - Tangible fixed assets
| Note 5 - Tangible fixed assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood | |||
| Tractor | |||
| Purchased | £0 | ||
| Disposals | £0 | ||
| Depreciation | £383 | ||
| At end of the year | £0 | ||
| Net book value at beginning of the year | £383 | ||
| Net book value at end of the year | £0 | ||
| Total net book value of Assets | £0 | ||
| Purchased | Sherpa Bushcutter £1,749 |
||
| Disposals | £0 | ||
| Depreciation | £147 | ||
| At end of the year | £1,602 | ||
| Net book value at beginning of the year | £0 | ||
| Net book value at end of the year | £1,602 | ||
| Total net book value of Assets | £1,602 | ||
| Note 6 - Debtors and prepayments | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Gift aid tax claim | £194 | £235 | |
| £194 | £235 | ||
| Note 7 Cash at bank and in hand | 2025 | 2024 | |
| HSBC | £19,824 | £21,290 | |
| Cash in hand / unbanked | £182 | £14 | |
| PayPal | £183 | £397 | |
| £20,189 | £21,701 | ||
| Note 8 Creditors and accruals | |||
| Annual Grass Cut | £400 | £400 | |
| £400 | £400 | ||
| Note 9 Corporate donations | |||
| United Methodists - Helping hands | £0 | £9,000 | |
| Co-op - Local Cause | £0 | £1,868 | |
| £0 | £10,868 |