## **– RIVER OAKS CHARITY ANNUAL REPORT April – 2020 March 2021**
## _**Executive Summary**_
_**2020 was a year of unprecedented change, not only did we have to face into the challenges Covid -19 forced upon us but our chair person also retired after setting the charity up and leading passionately over ten years. However with this challenge came great support from trustees to continue the good work Terry had done.**_
## **Trustee Update**
In October 2020 Terry Jones (Chair Person) retired. It was Terry’s vision that was the original driving force for setting up River Oaks Residents Association, his passionate lead also moved the Association onto Charity Status, during his time Terry achieved many things not just various awards but has become a much loved and valued member of the community. We honoured Terry’s retirement with various thank you speeches and gifts and hope to mark our appreciation when we can safely do so with the wider community.
We have not been able to recruit a chair person to replace Terry yet, we are currently working on a rotation basis for chairing of meetings.
In August we also gained two new trustees, Helen Stephens and Peter Shirlow. Helen has been a valued member of our local community and brought with her a wealth of expertise in communication which has been a much welcome skillset to the trustee group. Peter has been instrumental in our local ecological focus and has been able to lead on this area as a trustee even more so developing our wonderful wild flower meadow.
## **Wild Flower Meadow**
In 2020 we decided to go ahead and use a portion of the land that was available to us to cultivate a wild flower meadow. We did this with the support of local sources of advice from Scouse Flower House. The wild flower meadow turned out to be spectacular and we couldn’t have timed it better as it served as a much needed outdoor location during lockdown where people could come and walk around or simply sit and admire the wonderful wild flowers and view of the River Mersey. We received so much positive feedback on this and it really was so valuable to people’s well being.
## **Pond Area**
Our pond area has always been the central point to the charity over the years and has served us well. Unfortunately the decking area had seen better days and for safety reasons we took the decision to remove the decking and start fund raising for a replacement. We used various contacts to help us understand potential costs for this. We then had various fund raising events and raised £10,000 for a replacement. We are working with several sources to get a replacement terrace designed and installed.
## **Play Area**
During lock down the play area had to unfortunately be closed for covid restrictions. However once we were able to reopen, we installed Covid safety signs and hand sanitizer dispensers to allow a safe environment for children to enjoy.
## **Fence Line**
As a result of grant awards we were able to replace 128 meters of fence line to the perimeter of the land that we own – this was installed in the summer of 2020.
## **Woods**
We also continued with our woods clear ups, approximately twice in 2020.
## **Communications**
Helen’s wealth of experience brought a breath of fresh air to our website, the website was redesigned and updated and we have received positive feedback on this.
Helen has also been able to set up an electronic mailing list which has made circulation of our newsletter not only covid safe but no longer are we posting paper copies to our followers.
## **Community Events**
Sadly, we could not host our usual annual events such as Easter Egg Hunt or Christmas Carols instead we got creative and for Easter 2020 we had Easter themed window displays with the best window winning an Easter Goodie selection.
We followed a similar concept at Halloween with ‘scary’ windows and Halloween activities for children
At Christmas we had our Advent Trail, each day in December another house decorated their windows for people to go and view.
## **Fundraising**
We were really proud to produce a 2021 calendar for sale, the calendar contained photos for each month of various areas of the beauty that surrounds us, we were really pleased with how much this raised. (£700)
## **Trustee Trainings**
Trustees Martin Foster and Vicky Hughes underwent Trustee Training, to help us understand better our responsibilities on governance and risk. This now forms part of our monthly meeting agenda.
## **Future**
As Terry retired, trustees rallied around to push on with the Charity and continue Terry’s great work plus shape our vision that was fit for the future. As things stand Trustees meet more frequently (once per month), we have an exciting agenda and look forward to continuing to build on _**creating community and caring for the environment**_ **.**
**Cha** r **ity Name No (if any)** R **ive** r **Oaks Cha** r **ity 1175908** R **eceipts an** d **payments accounts Fo** r **the pe** r **io** d Period start date Period end date **To f** r **om** 4/1/2020 3/31/2021
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Section A R eceipts an d payments
Un r est r icte d R est r icte d En d owment
Total fun d s
fun d s fun d s fun d s
to the nea r est
to the nea r est £ to the nea r est £ to the nea r est £
£
A1 R eceipts
General donations 4,353 7,671 12,024
Donations box 45 0 45
Grant awards 0 33,028 33,028
Gift Aid repayments 1,154 0 1,154
Fundraising events 0 0 0
Bank interest 0 0 0
Other 25 0 25
5,577 40,699 0 46,276
Sub total (G r oss income fo r R A )
A2 Asset an d investment sales,
(see table) .
Sub total 0 0 0 0
Total r eceipts 5,577 40,699 0 46,276
A3 Payments
Pond maintenance 256 0 256
Pond terrace 0 388 388
Garden maintenance 3,540 0 3,540
Woods & felds maintenance 0 36,193 36,193
Play a rea 0 723 723
Plants 110 0 110
Events & Fundraising expenses 138 0 138
Printing & postage 154 0 154
Energy 252 0 252
Mileage 33 0 33
Insurance 938 0 938
Equipment 287 0 287
Sundry other expenses 499 0 499
Sub total 6,207 37,304 0 43,511
A4 Asset an d investment
pu r chases, (see table)
Sub total 0 0 0 0
Totalpayments 6,207 37,304 0 43,511
Net of r eceipts/(payments) (630) 3,395 0 2,765
A5 r T ansfe r s between fun d s
A6 Cash fun d s last yea r en d 2,617 6,868 0 9,485
Cash fun d s this yea r en d 1,987 10,263 0 12,250
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||||||||||**_Total cash _**|||||d
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**10,263**|||||
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Signe
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CC16a
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**Last yea** r
## **to the nea** r **est £**
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6,355
0
22,131
1,463
825
6
0
30,780
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0
30,780
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1,719
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4,699
33,785
692
892
274
314
83
1,257
869
986
45,570
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**0 45,570 (14,790) 24,275 9,485**
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En d owment
fun d s
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OK
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En d owment
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**Cu** rr **ent value (optional)**
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**When** d **ue (optional)**
Date of approval