Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 10 September 2024 To 09 September 2025
Charity name: Trees For Derby
Charity registration number: 1185054
Objectives and Activities
SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of Para 1.17 the charity as set out in its governing document
To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment for the public benefit, by planting trees in the city of Derby and surrounding area, to mitigate the effects of climate change. To advance education of the public in the above.
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and 1.19 activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
Our main activities have been to encourage volunteers of all ages to participate in planting and nurturing trees and protecting the local environment. We have been active in developing a tree planting strategy in partnership with Derby City Council, University of Derby, local schools and businesses.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
The above have been carried out in compliance with Trees for Derby's duty to have due regard for the Commission's public benefit guidance.
Additional information (optional)
SORP reference
Para 1.38
Policy on grant making
Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment
Contribution made by volunteers
Para 1.38
The charity aims to include volunteers in various ways including as members of the committee, as participants at planting and maintenance events and as representatives of the charity at community events.
Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
Para 1.20
The last year has been further steady growth of planted sites in the Derby city area with both regular and new volunteers involved in several sites with the annual total of around X trees planted.
Sites visited for planting include Allestree Park alongside the recent rewilding efforts, Vicarage Road Park, Prince Charles Avenue in Mackworth,
Normanton Park along with the group “Friends of Normanton Park” and a revisit to add more trees to Fullens Lock among other sites.
The group made use of the free trees for communities provided by the Woodlands Trust upon application and also supported planting where the Council Parks Department sourced the trees as part of the Coronation fund.
A new website for the group has been created to aid with communication to the community and beyond, with the aid of a local student volunteer and was much appreciated.
The charity has continued to increase the summer working parties for maintenance of existing sites, weeding and mulching, particularly those planted in the “Miyawaki” style where high level of growth are observed. Survival rate appears to be good too.
Several thousand whips have been ordered from the Woodlands Trust to support planting in the 2025-26 winter months, typical for planting. Sites have been identified and some dates already put into the group diary. Further opportunities will be considered.
Revisits to prior planted sites has provided a welcome boost by demonstrating the outcomes of our labour. Sites such as those Wilmorton Rec and in particular Stoodley Pike are showing very healthy young trees. In some cases over 15’ high after just 5
years growth.
The group funds stand with a healthy balance of £9319.61 including funds of £4154.83 ringfenced for the associated group Trees for Spondon. The group has a relatively low spend rate to date, however it is envisaged this will be used in a number of ways including to replace some tools that have been well used, insurance, purchase further high-viz jackets to help on volunteer days, or for more expensive standard size trees for targeted planting sites such as road verges or community orchards. The group have discussed donating some funds to the council for such targeted sites where the group is not best placed to carry out the planting directly. T4D will continue to consider how best to spend the existing funds and welcome suggestions from the public highlighting opportunities we can make a difference.
Relationships have been maintained with external bodies including Derby City Council, Derby Green spaces, Friends of Derby Parks, and faith groups inc Derby Cathedral.
The group looks forward to continuing our activities with the community.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41
Other
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 See attached end of year accounts. financial position at the end These show that at 09 September 2025 of the period the account has a balance of £9319.61
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 None policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 None
Para 1.22
Reasons for holding zero reserves
None
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 None deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 None uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47
Fundraising for events, site maintenance, tools and trees has been administered as a request for donations from charity members, the public, local businesses.
Trees were sourced from Woodlands Trust free of charge following application for schools and community free packs.
The tree also provided free labour to the Council Parks department who were either funded by the council or made use of grant funds e.g. to purchase trees.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy Para 1.46 adopted
Weather affecting yield of planting. Availability and suitability of land for planting. Availability of funds in the form of donations or grants for activities. A description of the principal Para 1.46 Restrictions on volunteers for planting risks facing the charity events.
Health and safety related risks of the volunteers has thus far been covered by the council park department public liability insurance. However the group intends to take out a policy in it’s own name going forwards to be able to cover events where the council park department are not involved.
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution adopted 29 July 2019
(trust deed, royal charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 CIO constituted?
(e.g unincorporated association, CIO)
Para 1.25
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: None
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51
Trees for Derby covers all seventeen wards in the Deby City area.
Trees for Spondon has become the first The charity’s organisational ward to affiliate with Trees For Derby. structure and any wider network with which the Para 1.51 charity works
Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51
Future Plans
Other
The coming year will see the continuation of city-wide expansion of tree planting by volunteer helpers, with special encouragement to young people to improve the environment and become involved in activities geared to addressing climate change.
The charity will have the opportunity to plan and expand it’s output in ways to be determined, thanks to a large donation from a Derby resident that is likely to received in to the accounts in the next financial year (note: this statement is carried over from 2024 report as funds have not yet been received).
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name Trees For Derby
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1185054
Charity’s principal address
19 Thornhill Road
Derby DE22 3LX
Names of the charity trustee s who manag e the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 0 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reg Hand |
Chair | |||
Kester Savage |
Treasurer & Secretary |
Secretary since November 2023 |
||
Richard Simkins |
||||
Helen Hitchcock |
||||
Shirley Robinson |
||||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name
Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser
Name
Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare
that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Richard Simkins
Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc)
Date 22/09/25
Trees for Derby Accounts for Year Ending 31st July 2025
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Income 2024 - 2025 2023 - 2024
Donations/Grants £1305.00
Trees for Derby
Trees for Spondon £1346.49 £843.13
donations
Total Income £2651.49 £843.13
Expenditure
Website and data £190.50
transfer through
SiteGround
Trees for Spondon £100
Expenditure
Total Expenditure £190.50 £100.00
Excess of income £2460.99 £743.13
over expenditure
Cash Opening Balance £6,858.62 £6115.49
Reconcilliation
Plus Surplus £2460.99 £743.13
Closing Balance 9,319.61 £6,858.62
Total 9,319.61 £6,858.62
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