CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MARCH 2024
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CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STRUCTURE AND OBJECTS
The Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The registration of the CIO is charity number 1176277. The registered address of the association is 2 Dignum Street London N1 0FJ.
The objects of the Association are to maintain and manage an open space in the borough of Islington for the benefits of its members and local residents.
The site is held on a 50-year lease at a peppercorn rent from the London Borough of Islington and registered as a Field in Trust.
In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our Management Committee meetings.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Seen as a model of good practice for many years, Culpeper Community Garden, established in 1982, continues to be a source of inspiration, pleasure and relaxation for members, volunteers and visitors alike. Our relatively small open space in inner London is run by members and volunteers on sustainable, organic principles.
It includes 46 plots cared for by local people without their own gardens, plots for supported community groups, and communal areas, including a pond, a wildlife area, lawns, a dry garden, a rose pergola; and a ‘tea hut’ for members. We have a small community building used regularly as a classroom, a meeting room for community groups, and available for rent to our members for birthday parties and weddings.
The day-to-day management of the Garden is in the hands of two part-time members of staff: Mandy Graham and Anna Jones
Funding
2024-2025 is the final year of a 5-year funding package we received from the City of London via the City Bridge Trust. We have benefitted not only financially over the past 4 years; but also from the strong commitment shown by our Grant officers at the City to our staff & trustees.
2023-2024 was the final year of a 3-year grant from The Cripplegate Foundation We have been awarded another grant from the Foundation, to run for 2 years and 7 months. We extend heartfelt thanks for their continuing support.
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Our 4-year grant from Islington Council also ended this year. We were unsuccessful in our application for continued funding for 2024-2028, however a substantial grant from the Council enabled us to instal a solar panel array on the roof of the Resource Centre which went live in February 2024, slashing our energy bill by a significant amount.
Our most local of businesses, CTO Lighting, has continued to support us with an annual donation of £1,200.
Other income came from booking out the Garden as a venue for Private Events. This included outdoor folk performances with the NEST Collective, Parties, meeting and exhibition space for local community organisations, and an accessible location for local children’s parties.
Partnerships
Age UK Islington Carers group will be welcoming a new cohort of gardeners who will be supported to maintain their own Plot this Summer.
Born during the Pandemic, and shaped by Covid-19 prevention restrictions, Everyone’s Music Jam is a spin off from Culpeper Choir - an outdoor Percussion Group led by a young musician from Goldsmiths, and grant aided by Tesco
Culpeper Choir itself is now independent of the Garden, due to a large grant they have received to pay for Musicians and Support Staff. Thanks to the use of the Community Store at the Angel Shopping Centre, they have a free indoor venue for the Choir. They will continue to perform in the Garden when weather permits. We wish them well as their numbers continue to grow.
Website
Our new improved Website is now much easier to navigate; with the opportunity for both new volunteers and members to sign up online and pay their subscriptions through bank transfer. This has led to a 20% increase in paid membership over the past 6 months.
40th Anniversary Celebrations
The National Lottery Awards for All small grant programme contributed to a summer of special celebrations at Culpeper. We replanted our Dry Garden and began the restoration of our beloved Rose Pergola.
We held a fabulous Garden Party for our members and the local community; followed by an evening meal plus a wonderful Live Band who performed 1980s disco hits which filled the ‘dancefloor’.
We held our first free outdoor film screening; appropriately The Bee Movie. Our local children created a giant very hungry caterpillar from recycled materials to hang over the lawn; and our adult artists made giant papier-mâché bees. Culpeper Garden was beautifully reimagined in Lego and exhibited by our members. We invested in eco cups to reduce single use plastics at Events.
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Open Volunteering
Our unique Volunteer Programme attracts gardeners from all over London, and even from abroad! We welcome people with any level of skill, for one single session or as a regular commitment. Our list of accessible, meaningful tasks enables everyone to contribute to the upkeep of the Garden. Regulars support new volunteers and practical work experience has led to employment for some.
Kids Summer Arts & Halloween
Our free Summer Arts programme attracted children, young people, and families from all over the borough. The sessions were led by 2 young, local artists, organised by our own staff. We provided a book corner, co-operative games, mud kitchen, clay and stone painting, the construction of a giant caterpillar, invertebrate studies, and water rockets.
Environmental education
We have continued to provide free class-sized activities for key Stage 1 Pupils from 8 local primary schools at Culpeper Garden. Children learn why we aren’t buried in leaves - they meet, handle and identify the tiny creatures who turn fallen leaves into soil in a year! Habitat diversity, life cycles, pollination and native plants activities augment classroom pedagogy, and our pond and tadpole-raising project supports year 5 classes to observe life cycles firsthand.
FINANCE
Recent events in the charitable sector have shown how important it is that we continue to hold reserves equivalent to approximately six months of our running costs. In the event of reduced income in the future, this would enable us to run a basic service in the garden, while we sought future funding. It would also mean that we could meet our responsibilities to our staff if we needed to terminate their contracts.
MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING
During a busy year, a committed Management Committee directed the work of the Garden and Staff. The Committee is elected annually by the CIO’s members, and is responsible for the governance and management of the Garden.
We welcomed 4 new Trustees to the Management Committee in November 2023; all of whom currently have plots at Culpeper. 6 experienced Trustees graciously agreed to stand again, including 3 plot holders and 2 members with disabilities.
In addition, there were four Trustees empowered to hold a lease from Islington Council on behalf of the Association: Peter Sutton, Kristina Glenn, Elizabeth Evans and Margaret Pitt.
As of 31 March 2024, the following were members of the Management Committee:
Sarah Falconer (Chair) Oscar Dub Jeff Patti Raymond Ronchetti Nikki Burkes (Secretary) Holly Froy Shakir Razak Stephen Mullin (Treasurer) Sarah Hayes Jarka Ronchetti
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In 2023 we began recruiting for a Communtty Gardener. with a job description of which the focus and responsibility is for the upkeep of the GardaL horticultural support foi plot holders and planning seasonal volunteer and community group sessions. Anna Jones was appointed in August 2023. She has a strong horticultural backgroun(L and experience in managing staff and customer servicc. Aftet I l years. è¥tnanda Grabam contitiucs to provide continuity and stability for the organisation. Her excellent problem-solving attibjde and a whole-hearted beli¢f in the power of covnmunity gardening to change lives. plus her commitrnent to support our partners. community voluntcers and membcrs, is outstanding. BANKERS The Association holds a CuTrent Account and a Dcposit Account with the CAF Bank INDEPENDENT FIIYANCIAL EXAMINER Martin Niemami was appointed as tndepcndent FinaDcial Examiner at the 2023 Annual General Meeling This Reporl was approved by the Managemeni Commitlee on." .2024 as a true record ofihe Association s aclivitiesfor iheyear ended 31 March 2024. and signed on its behalfb)'= . Sarah Falconer (Chair) . Nikki Burkes (Seeretary) ..Siephen Mullin (freasurer)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CULPEPER COMMUNITY GAIiDEN ASSOCIATION I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Culpeper Community Garden Association for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 10. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities A¢t 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of Trust's accounts carried out under sectioii 145 of the 201 l Act and in carrying oul my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the Act. Independent examiner'5 Statement I have coii)pleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in coiinection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the Act- or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and conteiit of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requireinent that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. J have no eoncems and h2ve come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which att¢iition should be drawn in order to eiiable a proper understanding o thea ounts lo be reached. Signed.. Date: Name: Martin Niemann FCA Relevant professional qualification or body: Chartered Accountant ICAEW Addres$.' 13 Broadland5, Syderstone King's LynD, Norfolk PE318ST
CULPEPER COMMUNrrY GARDEN ASSOCIATION BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 Note 202312024 202212023 Fiied assets Buildings 164J68 152,423 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Cycle Scheme tA*an 40,543 48.885 42.454 48,885 CurreDt liabilities Creditors and accrued expenses 4.002 4.002 4,386 4J86 Net eurrellt assets 38,452 44,499 Total assets less current liabilities 202,820 196,922 Represented by: Unrestricted fund De.%ignated fund Rcstrictcd nd Total Fund5 36232 164,366 2.222 202,820 33,269 152,421 11,232 196,922 These Accounts were appmved by the Management Committee on .................. . gs. ¥Z•GT¢J XÈ K 2024 as a lrne record ofihe tL¥sociation s Balance Sheel and Stalement ofFinancial Activitiesfor Éheyear ended 31 March 2024, and signed on its behalfby.- Sarah Falconer (Chair) Nikki Burkes (Secretary) Siephen Mullin (Treasurer) The notes on pages 9 and 10 foTEn part of these accounts
CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Notes INCOME Grants received 5 Membership subs Interest received Fundraising events and donations TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Salaries 6 Staff Cover Electricity Water rates and leakage Insurance Equipment Materials Postage, copying, stationery Telephone Fundraising & events costs Repairs & improvements Volunteers' expenses Anniversary Celebration Outgarden Culpeper Choir Percussion Band Solar Project Play Scheme Rainbow Project Elfrida Environmental Education Payroll processing/police checks Staff training Depreciation Miscellaneous TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME for the year FUNDS TRANSFERS FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD SOLAR PANELS TO FIXED ASSETS |
Unrestricted Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds 2023/2024 2022/2023 £ £ £ £ 21,550 - 36,883 58,433 59,338 2,459 - - 2,459 1,498 1,000 - - 1,000 366 10,635 - - 10,635 11,541 35,644 - 36,883 72,527 72,743 20,669 - 21,215 41,884 48,453 - - 2,200 2,580 - - 2,580 934 1,200 - - 1,200 1,200 1,384 - - 1,384 1,265 378 - - 378 1,132 384 - - 384 2,439 704 - - 704 800 1,341 - - 1,341 1,000 1,377 - - 1,377 1,740 519 - - 519 3,161 799 - - 799 1,205 - - 8,287 8,287 - - - 327 327 1,301 - - - - 539 - - 1,000 - - 10,873 10,873 3,938 - - - - 4,871 - - - - 3,739 - - 4,140 4,140 3,772 107 - - 107 106 248 - - 248 147 141 - - 141 225 - 5,615 - 5,615 4,597 1,774 - - 1,774 2,832 33,732 5,615 44,842 84,190 92,596 1,913 (5,615) (7,959) (11,663) (19,853) - 17,560 - 17,560 - 1,051 - (1,051) - - 33,269 152,421 11,232 196,922 216,775 36,232 164,366 2,222 202,820 196,922 |
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The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts
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CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
NOTE 1: Accounting Policies
These Accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice.
NOTE 2: Fixed Assets
During 2007/2008 Culpeper commenced a major building and paving project. In accordance with the Charities SORP this expenditure has been capitalised and included in a Designated Fund. The Trustees have decided to depreciate this expenditure evenly over 50 years.
During 2023/24 grant funded solar panels were installed and this expenditure is also included in a Designated Fund. The Trustees have decided to depreciate the expenditure on the panels evenly over 25 years and on the batteries evenly over 10 years.
| Cost At 1 April 2023 Additions At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year At 31 March 2024 Net Book Values At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 NOTE 3:Cash at Bank and in hand: CAF Cash Account CAF Gold Account Petty cash NOTE 4: Creditors and accrued HMRC Pensions |
Buildings Paving Solar Panels Total 205,496 15,500 - 220,996 - - 17,560 17,560 205,496 15,500 17,560 238,556 63,876 4,697 - 68,573 4,282 315 1,017 5,615 68,158 5,012 1,017 74,188 137,338 10,488 16,543 164,368 141,620 10,803 - 152,423 2023/2024 2022/2023 £ £ 2,820 3,683 37,713 45,168 9 34 40,543 48,885 3,518 4,206 484 180 4,002 4,386 |
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CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| NOTE 5: Grants received: Cripplegate Foundation Awards for All Restricted Tesco Percussion Band Community Chest Restricted Islington Council VCS Islington Council Summer Play Scheme Restricted Islington Council Out Garden Restricted City Bridge Trust Restricted City Bridge Trust Ex Gratia Restricted NOTE 6: Wages and salaries: Gross salaries Employer's National Insurance contributions Employment allowance Employers pension fund contribution |
2023/2024 2022/2023 £ £ 12,050 14,350 8,700 - - 500 4,900 4,900 9,500 9,500 - 7,440 2,068 - 21,215 20,626 - 2,022 58,433 59,338 39,152 46,018 1,772 3,628 (1,772) (3,628) 2,732 2,435 41,884 48,453 |
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