## **CULPEPER COMMUNITY GARDEN ASSOCIATION**
## **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED**
**31 MARCH 2024**
**1**
## **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.
**2**
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.
**3**
## **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
**4**
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|
|---|---|
The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts
**8**
**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|
|---|---|
**9**
**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|
|---|---|
**10**