Friends of Hamworthy Park Trustees Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31[st] December 2023
Reference and Administration Details
CIO’s name
Friends of Hamworthy Park (FoHP)
CIO’s principal address: Friends of Hamworthy Park 7 Hercules Road Poole BH15 4JA
Trustees:
Patricia Bullock (Chair) Fiona Rainback (Treasurer) Laeila Hocking (Secretary David Harris (Trustee) Ian Fraser (Trustee) Eira Hall (Trustee) Karl Stokes (Trustee)
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Friends of Hamworthy Park Trustees Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
Structure, Governance and Management
Friends of Hamworthy Park is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which was created and registered with the Charity Commission on 17[th] October 2017 and approved by the members on 23[rd] November 2017 when membership and assets were transferred to the new CIO.
Friends of Hamworthy Park is a membership-based organisation. Membership of the CIO is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes.
The objective of the CIO is
For the benefit of the inhabitants of Hamworthy and the surrounding area (‘the area of benefit’) to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of the area of benefit in particular but not exclusively by the preservation, promotion, support, assistance and improvement of Hamworthy Park and other local open spaces.
The CIO welcomed a number of new Trustees in 2023:
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Ian Fraser;
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Eira Hall;
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Fiona Rainback.
Joined the existing Trustees:
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Patricia Bullock;
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David Harris;
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Karl Stokes.
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing objectives and when planning future activities. The trustees are satisfied that the charity meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit test.
Achievements and Performance
Change of Trustees
After many years as a Trustee and Chair of the CIO Patricia Bullock stood down on the 31[st] December 2023. Ian Fraser, Eira Hall and Fiona Rainback joined the CIO as trustees.
Fundraising
Once again, the year saw a full fund-raising calendar. In addition to all five annual fundraising events and the popular park calendar the CIO launched a retro park poster to raise additional funds.
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Volunteers ongoing maintenance and minor repair work
The dedicated CIO Wednesday volunteers continued their good work of…
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Litter picking
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Dog poo picking
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Cleaning picnic tables
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Maintaining the wild flower area
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Maintaining the Ashmore Ave flower bed
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Maintaining the Café flower bed
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Bulb planting
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Maintaining the Blandford Road planters
For undertaking this work, we thank all our volunteers. We also get valuable help from various local community groups including Muddy Boots Nursery.
Summer Fete
Patricia Bullock, the CIO chair had been organising the Summer Fete for a number of years, however in 2023 Dave Harris took over the organisation. Once again, the Summer Fete proved to be a great community event for young and old alike. A big thank you to all the volunteers that worked to ensure the 2023 Summer Fete was a success.
Paddling Pool
The paddling pool season was once again a great success, with final remedial works on the grouting completed before the pool opened for the season. The season sadly ended on a negative note with news that BCP Council could no longer fund the paddling pool in future years. The Trustees spent a huge amount of time in the last quarter of 2023 working with BCP council to try and find a solution that would see the paddling pool open in 2024.
Paddling Pool and Wider Park Enhancements
2023 saw the FoHP fund the installation of a play trail around the paddling pool. This proved to be very popular. In addition, FoHP funded several new picnic tables. Some have replaced older picnic tables within the play area, others have been installed within the shadier areas of the park
Community Enagement and other local projects
Bluebell Woods
FoHP has continued to support the Bluebell Woods project at St Michael’s Church. In 2023 FoHP funding from the Dorest Communtiy Foundation enables the CIO to run three Forest Schools and three Beach Schools during the school summer holidays. These were incredibly well supported by the local community.
Future projects
Saving the Paddling Pool for Future Years
The key project going forwards will be securing the future of the paddling pool, following the news that BCP would no longer fund the paddling pool. Key to this project will be understanding the annual running costs of the paddling pool and launching major fund raising campaigns to secure the monies to enable the paddling pool to remain open.
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Promenade repairs and rocks for the Eastern end of the park
These have been put on hold due to BCP Council budget issues. We do however continue to bring pressure to bear to ensure this vital repair work remains on their agenda. We are hopeful that in 2024 funds will be found.
Financial Review
FoHP has a Santander Business Account and a Savings Account for its Main Account and a Santander Business Account and a Savings Account for the paddling pool project. Funds in the Paddling Poole Account are restricted.
The charity’s income for the period totalled £9818.04
Expenditure: During the period, payments made by the charity totalled £15526.66
Declaration:
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees.
Fiona Rainback
Fiona Rainback FoHP Trustee 25/8/24
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FRIENDS OF HAMWORTHY PARK ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT Business Accounts (unrestricted Funds)
Financial statement for the period 1[st] January 2023 to 31st December 2023 Balance carried forward from previous year £20308.98
Income (£) Expenditure (£) Fundraising 7215.64 Activity costs 12729.43 Grants 2485 Fundraising Costs 2797.23 Bank Interest 117.4 Total Income: 9818.04 Total Expenditure 15526.66 Income over Expenditure: (£5708.62) Balance at 31[st] December 2023 £14600.36
Funds held as follows: Reserve Account 9172.85 Current Account 4267.68 Cash 1159.83 Total £14600.36
FRIENDS OF HAMWORTHY PARK ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT PADDLING POOL ACCOUNTS (restricted funds)
Financial statement for the period 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023 Balance carried forward from previous year £2001.57
| Income £ Donations Bank Interest Total |
Expenditure £ Nil Nil 16.18 16.18 Nil |
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Balance at 31[st] December 2022 £2017.75
Funds held as follows:
| Reserve Account Current Account Cash Total . |
2017.75 0.00 0.00 £2017.75 |
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Friends of Hamworthy Park Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023
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The following notes provide additional analysis to assist with the understanding of the accounts.
1. Basis of preparation
As a CIO, the charity is required to follow accounting and reporting requirements set out by charity law. As the charity’s income is below £250,000, it is permitted to prepare the accounts on a receipts and payments basis. The charity has therefore chosen to present receipts and payments accounts.
2. Independent examination of account
An Audit or independent examination is only required if the charity’s gross income is over £25,000. The trustees have therefore decided not to have an independent examination performed in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance set out in ‘Independent examination of charity accounts: examiners (CC32)’.
3. Notes specific to the Financial Statement 31[st] December 2023
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a) Fundraising income includes all income from from the sale of publicity items (cards, calendars, coasters, keyrings, etc), and that raised selling plants and cakes etc.
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b) Collecting tin income includes that from tins placed with local businesses.
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c) Other donations include all income received from individual donors, paypal donations via the website and through Amazon Smile.
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d) Activity costs includes expenditure on new benches and a play trail for the park.
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e) Fundraising costs is the expenditure incurred purchasing materials and items for use or sale at fundraising events.
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