ill Hi '$ociefy- Annua and Aéc(knnts ' 023 QQQQPQQQQO ¢> OQQp- QQ• ## **Please ensure that we have your current email address.** You can do this by sending an email to contact@mhps.org.uk and include your name and street address in the message so that we can update our membership records. Thank you. As detailed in our privacy policy we will only use this contact information to keep you up to date with our activities and we will never share it with third parties. Page 2 of 19 ## **Mill Hill Preservation Society** ## **ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS for 2023** Notice is given to members that the Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on **Thursday 21[st] March 2024 7.30 pm start Trinity Church, The Broadway, NW7 3TB** ## **1.0 AGENDA** **i. Welcome and Introduction** **ii. Update on Planning Report** **iii. Election of Trustees** **iv. Election of Management Committee Members** **v. Accounts 2023** ## **vi. Approval of Annual Report and Accounts 2023** **vii. Any Other Business** Questions for ‘Any Other Business’ need to be submitted to The Studio by letter or email before 16[th] March 2024 in order to be considered ## **The formal part of the meeting ends** **viii. ………………… …** **speaker will address the meeting on** **…………………………. …** ## **ix. Interval with some light refreshments available** **x. From 9.00 pm Question and Answer session with our elected representatives** ## **Planned Closure 10.00 pm** ## **2.0 PROPOSED PERSONNEL and OFFICERS for 2024** Page 3 of 19 ## **Our 75[th] Anniversary Year** # **Patron** Lady Marina Hobson OBE JP ## **President** Michael Worms BSc PhD BEM ## **Trustees** _In accordance with Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) requirements one third of the Trustees shall retire from office. Joan Scannell has resigned and is not standing for re-election._ **Retiring:** Joan Scannell and Nick Priestnall **Nominations** : Andrew Dismore, Grant Graves JP, Kevin Green, Wendy Living, Nick Priestnall, Michael Roberts ## **Management Committee Members** **Nominations** : Amanda Coakley BA, Robert Cottingham MA, Kevin Green (Vice-chair of Management Committee), Karen Hatchett BA MSc, John Living AAdip CMdip RIBA, Wendy Living BA ACA JP, Peter Neal CMLI, Roger Selby MA Hons (Oxon), Elizabeth Silver B Sc, PhD (physics), Bill Taylor CEng MIStructE, Michael Worms. ## **Honorary Officers** Honorary Architect – John Living Honorary Solicitor – Robert Cottingham Honorary Treasurer – Wendy Living ## **Administrative Roles** Kim Thompson – Administration & Membership Secretary Liz Fitzgerald BA (Hons) Dip TP MRTPI – Planning Consultant ## **Independent Examiner** Adrian Gray BA ACA Page 4 of 19 ## **3.0 A REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2023** Another year has passed without a chair of the Management Committee, and although we have functioned as a Committee, we would like to find a suitable chairperson. As for last year both the Management Committee and Trustees have operated on a ‘revolving chair’ basis. During the year we dealt with many planning issues, held members events, and recruited new members. Our financial performance is covered in our Treasurers report. There has been a change in the Committee and Trustees during the year. Joan Scannell stood down from being a Trustee and from the Management Committee due to ill health. We were very sorry to see her go. Jenny Turtle also stepped down from the Membership & Marketing subcommittee. Members prepared to serve on these bodies would be most welcome. If you are interested, please contact Wendy Living on mail@wendyliving.co.uk . Late April saw our Spring Footpath Walk that was led by Dr Michael Worms. This was an urban walk that explored the history and development of lower Mill Hill. This was a really interesting change to our normal walks and we may repeat the format. We did not hold a summer event in 2023 but plan to do so in 2024 to celebrate our 75[th] birthday. The Autumn footpath walk, explored the proposed changes to the footpaths that cross Mill Hill School land and was reported in our Winter Newsletter*. Our quiz event was held in November and was compered by our trustee Andrew Dismore. This was a great success with tasty food, challenging questions, and a good turnout of members enjoying each other’s company. Our Winter Meeting was also in November, at which we heard a fascinating talk given by Grant Thornhill, Arboricultural Officer for Barnet’s Greenspaces team. This was entitled ‘Managing Trees in Mill Hill and the wider Barnet area’ and included details of Barnet’s tree stock, the management of trees, threats and diseases, and new planting projects. The talk was well received. After refreshments we held a questionand-answer session with our elected representatives. MHPS Page 5 of 19 are so very grateful to our various elected members who give up their time to come to our meetings to face members’ questions. _* Articles covered in our newsletters are not repeated but referenced where possible. See also later reports on our planning activities and CAAC._ ## **4.0 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023** Our 73[rd] AGM was held at Trinity Church, The Broadway, NW7 3TB on 30[th] March 2023 at 7.30 pm. Wendy Living welcomed everybody to the meeting and gave apologies from Lady Marina Hobson, Theresa Villiers MP, Anne Clarke GLA, and Kevin Green. There were about 60 members attending. **Planning Update:** John Living updated the meeting on evolving planning issues since the Annual Report was drafted. Much of this is covered later in this report. Major planning issues have been covered in our newsletters. The voting took place for the Trustees and the Management Committee: **Election of Trustees** : John Living stood down and Grant Graves was retiring by rotation but was standing for reelection. Andrew Dismore, Grant Graves, Kevin Green, Wendy Living, Nick Priestnall, Michael Roberts, and Joan Scannell were elected en-bloc. Proposed by John Living and seconded by Chelle Paice and by a show of hands, carried. **Election of Management Committee members:** Amanda Coakley, Robert Cottingham, Kevin Green, Karen Hatchett, John Living, Wendy Living, Peter Neal, Joan Scannell, Roger Selby, Elizabeth Silver, Bill Taylor, and Michael Worms were elected en-bloc. Proposed by Henry Waxman and seconded by Alan Roberts, and by a show of hands, carried. **Accounts 2022:** Wendy Living introduced the annual accounts and asked for questions but there were none. **Adoption of the Annual Report and Accounts 2022** was proposed by Grant Graves, seconded by Robert Cottingham, and by show of hands, carried. Page 6 of 19 With no other business the formal part of the meeting was closed. **Address to the Meeting:** There was a talk by Rich Simons - Head of Saracens Foundation, Emma Watson – Senior Business Manager, and Jenny Williams – Fundraising Executive, who gave an illustrated talk on the wide-ranging work of the Saracens Foundation charity. Refreshments were then served. **Question & Answer Session:** Dr Michael Worms welcomed the elected representatives: Cllr Val Duschinsky, Cllr Sara Conway, and Cllr Elliot Simberg who answered members questions for an hour. Copies of minutes are obtainable on request from The Studio. The meeting closed 10.00 pm. **5.0 TREASURER’S REPORT –** Accounts for the year to 31[st] December 2023 Subscriptions are our main source of revenue and rates increased on 1 January 2024 from £13 to £15 for single membership, £20 to £22 for family membership, and £30 to £35 for corporate membership. The last increase was in 2016. Please can you amend your annual payment accordingly. Subscription income in 2023 was £899 higher than in 2022 as some subscriptions usually received in 2022 were not received until January 2023. December 2023 subscriptions were all banked in 2023. Sales of promotional material relate primarily to the Christmas cards which sold out this year. In April £65,000 was placed on annual deposit with Charity Bank at 3.36%. Interest of some £2,000 will be credited on maturity. In 2022 the Gift Aid receipt of £3,202 was for two years. Gift Aid of £2,075 relates to 2022. The quiz profit in 2022 did not include hall hire of £250 (billed in May 2023). Including this cost the 2022 profit was £859. Profit in 2023 is £127 lower due to slightly fewer attendees. Printing costs include £815 in respect of 2022 Christmas cards and Winter newsletter. This amount was not billed until January 2023. The £765 due for the 2023 newsletter has not yet been billed and will appear in next year’s accounts. Page 7 of 19 Computer costs are for the maintenance of our website and our internet connection. The society is currently rebuilding the website with a launch date in 2024. The expenditure from the website fund was a deposit re the development of the new website. Despite the greater use of e-mail, postage and stationery costs remain high. No maintenance costs were incurred this year. Promotional activities include the cost of hall hire for our meetings and for last year’s quiz (see above) plus refreshments served at our various events. Subscriptions to other societies include CPRE, London Forum, and London Green Belt Council. The fees to planning consultants are for their advice on proposals including Holwood House, Winterstoke Gardens, Edgehill Manor and others. The tree fund expenditure was for a willow tree planted on the green in front of the main entrance to StoneX Stadium to mark the coronation of King Charles III. The costs of planting and the accompanying plaque were funded by Saracens. As reported last year, the Society has taken on the management of Angel Pond. We paid £1,536 towards repairs and improvement works in 2023. Funds at 31[st] December 2023 were £85,007 - a drop of £7,487 from last year. ## **6.0 ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** **31-Dec 31-Dec 23 2223** **Receipt s** |Subscriptions|8,357|7,458| |---|---|---| |Sales of Promotional Material|233|386| |Bank Interest|0|666| |Inland Revenue Gift Aid|2,075|3,202| |Fund Raising|732|1,109| |**Total Receipts**|**11,397**|**12,82**| Page 8 of 19 **1** Less Payments |Printing|-3,219|-1,870|-1,870| |---|---|---|---| |Computer/|||| |Equipment|-605||-526| |Secretarial Fees|-5,976|-5,691|| |Maintenance|0|-2,840|| |Promotional|||| |Activities|-1,225|-1,097|| |Subscriptions to Other|||| |Societies|-285||-300| |Insuranc|||| |e|-445||-445| |Fees to planning consultants|-3,240|-4,548|| |Postage/Stationery|-455||-718| ||||**-**| |||**18,03**|| |**Total Payments**|**-15,450**||**5**| |**(Defcit)/Excess receipts over**|||**-**| |**payments**|**-4,053**|**5,214**|| |Donation|||| |s|0||3,115| |Legacy|0||1,000| |**Net**|||**-**| |**(Defcit)/Excess**|**-4,053**|**1,099**|| ||**31-Dec**||
**31-Dec**| ||**22**||**23**| |Accumulated Fund brought forward|72,418||73,517| |Net|||| |(Defcit)/Excess|-4,053||-1,099| |Transfer from Accumulated|||| |Fund|-2,000||| |Accumulated Fund carried forward *|66,365||72,418| Page 9 of 19 ## **Restricted Reserves** ||6,29||| |---|---|---|---| |Tree Fund brought forward|3||6,602| |Income received|0||309| |Expenditure|-478||-618| |Tree Fund carried forward||5,815|6,293| |Pond Fund brought forward|215||2,715| ||2,00||| |Income received|0||0| ||-||| ||1,53||| |Expenditure|6||-2,500| |Pond Fund carried forward||679|215| |Website Fund brought|1,06||| |forward|8||1,229| |Income received|0||0| ||-||| ||1,42||| |Expenditure|0||-161| |Website Fund carried|||| |forward||-352|1,068| |Backstop Reserve brought forward||12,500|12,500| |Transfer from Accumulated|||| |Fund||0|0| |Backstop Reserve carried|||| |forward||12,500|12,500| |**Total Funds**||85,007|92,494| |Represented by|||| |NatWest Current Account||20,007|92,494| |Charity Bank/Shawbrook|||| |Bank||65,000|0| |**Total**|||| |**Cash**||**85,007**|**92,494**| ***The Accumulated Fund goes towards the costs of the Society &** Page 10 of 19 ## **fighting planning applications** ## **7.0 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES** I report on the accounts of the Society for the period ended 31[st] Dec. 2022. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner:** The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act) - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act) - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s report:** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent Examiner’s Statement:** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) that gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: Page 11 of 19 * to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; *to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Examiner: Adrian Gray BA ACA 1 Beechcroft Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire WD23 2JU Date: 25[th] January 2024 ## **8.0 WORK OF THE PLANNING GROUP** As in previous years it is worth restating that a major role undertaken by the MHPS Planning Group is the inspection and discussion of not just major planning applications that might be seen as having a significant impact on the NW7 area, but also the minor applications that can still have an effect on smaller areas or an immediate neighbourhood - possibly setting a poor precedent for others to follow. We also comment on applications that might be for necessary uses but where the proposed location is inappropriate. During the year our Newsletters have covered the following applications in considerable detail and we shall not do so again in this report: ## **MHPS news…Spring 2023** : Mill Hill Cemetery (application 22/6038/FUL) Former Watchtower House, The Ridgeway (application 22/0649/FUL) Belmont School (application 22/1403/FUL) Frith Grange Camp Site (application (22/2210/FUL) ## **MHPS news… Autumn 2023:** Edgehill Manor (application 23/1602/FUL) 135 Marsh Lane (application 23/2557/192) decided Unlawful St Paul’s Church of England School (application 23/3587/FUL) ## **MHPS news… Winter 2023:** Mill Hill County School (application (23/3587/FUL) Page 12 of 19 Here is a quick summary of schemes that we have been watching closely over 2023, obviously there are others – too many to mention: - Ridgeway Views minor planning adjustments keep occurring - Artificial Pitch Belmont School. (22/1403/FUL) Refused and Appeal dismissed February 2023 - Wentworth Cottage, The Ridgeway (22/3944/HSE) conversion Allowed February 2023 - Amazon at Pentavia (20/5933/FUL) Approved March 2023 - BESS Partingdale Lane (20/4241/FUL) Refused and Appeal Allowed March 2023. Applications pending for services connections. - Edgehill Manor (23/1602/FUL) partial demolition and rebuilding Refused July 2023. - Lamppost advertising Watford Way, Bunns Lane, Grahame Park Way (21/0710/ADV) cut from 100 to 37 posts: Approved 23[rd] August 2023 - IBSA House residential proposal (application 19/6551/FUL) Approved September 2023. London North Studios still in occupation. - 3 Hillview Road (23/2758/FUL) house conversion to two houses Approved October 2023 - Mast on verge at Watch Tower House (22/5366/PNT) was refused and Appeal Dismissed November 2023. - 5 Lawrence Gardens (23/2256/FUL) demolition and rebuilding of two dwellings Approved December 2023. - 51 Bittacy Hill (23/2067/FUL) revised flats scheme is Pending **Watchtower House** (22/0649/FUL): In December 2023 the Stage 2 decision by the Mayor was issued, confirming that the Local Planning Authority could determine the planning application without his further involvement. Evidently the Council's previous decision to Approve the scheme still stood, the S106 Agreement had been negotiated, and following a legal agreement between the parties planning permission was confirmed on 23rd December 2023. The approval includes 44 Conditions that have to be met and so there will be a few more planning applications to consider before construction Page 13 of 19 work can start. The Society will monitor the approval of these conditions. **Milespit Hill Cemetery** (22/6038/FUL): The Society lodged an objection to this application in January 2023. This is based on issues related to Green Belt, Arboriculture, Ecology, Heritage, and Transport. MHPS object most strongly to the opening of the proposed new access road from Milespit Hill into the cemetery. The application is still showing as pending. **Mill Hill School Foundation – footpaths:** There has not been an application for the re-routing of footpaths on the school estate, but the school has run a consultation process to gauge local opinion on the matter in preparation for a submission. The MHPS autumn footpath walk was devoted to explaining to members exactly what the school was proposing (see our winter newsletter). The Trustees of the Society also wrote to the school as part of the consultation explaining why the Society would object to these proposals. Various applications for tree works have been reviewed during the year. This quick review brings our members up to date with our planning activities. ## **9** . **0 THE CONSERVATION AREA ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAAC)** The CAAC group comprises a number of local residents together with representatives from amenity societies and organisations, including the High Street Residents Association, the Mill Hill Historical Society, the Mill Hill School Foundation, and our own Society. John Living chairs the group. CAAC is concerned about the protection of the Conservation Area and related Green Belt issues. In 2023 observations were made on Mill Hill Cemetery (22/6038/FUL), Corner of Holcombe Hill and The Ridgeway (23/0087/S73), Edgehill Manor (23/1602/FUL), 6 & 7 Winterstoke Gardens (23/2294/S73), 4 Avenue Cottage, High Street (23/4291/HSE), and The Welches (23/4816/LBC). Some other letters have been in conjunction with MHPS. If you Page 14 of 19 have issues relating to the Conservation Area contact CAAC on caac@johnliving.com . ## **10.0 MEMBERSHIP and FORTHCOMING EVENTS Membership** Our main aims remain the protection of the Green Belt, safeguarding local amenities, and monitoring planning issues. Our members have loyally upheld these principles for the past 75 years and we are indebted for their support. Late in 2022 we started the process of redesigning our new user-friendly website. This will soon be on stream in 2024. Social media proliferates and in addition to Facebook there are many others we would like to embrace – but we need somebody with the time and knowhow to achieve this. Is there a budding communicator out there who would like to help with this challenge – don’t be shy, call Wendy on 077 4028 2515. We constantly strive to improve, like the card-reader we purchased in 2023 that has proved so very useful. We always welcome members opinions - give us your feedback – it will help us. ## **Forthcoming events 2024** **Spring Footpath Walk – Mill Hill’s Industrial Quarter:** Sunday 28[th] April 2024, 11.30am start from junction of The Ridgeway and Engel Park. **Summer Event –** Our 75[th] Anniversary tea party will be held at The Jubilee Hall, Mill Hill School on Sunday 30[th] June at 2.30pm – further details to follow **Autumn Footpath Walk –** Sunday 6[th] October: details will be posted **Supper Quiz –** Saturday 9[th] November, St Paul’s Hall, 7.00 for 7.30pm start **Winter Meeting –** Thursday 21[st] November, Trinity Church, The Broadway 7.15 for 7.30 pm start: details of our speaker will be posted. ## **Rules of the Mill Hill Preservation Society February 2020** Page 15 of 19 1. The name of the CIO shall be the Mill Hill Preservation Society that is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), with a constitution recognised by the Charity Commissioners. The constitution is available on our website and these rules are meant as further guidance as specified under Clause 26. 2. The Object of the CIO is: To promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Mill Hill, London (NW7), including the education of our members in such matters. We are concerned to protect the amenities of Mill Hill, and in particular to protect its natural, historic and architectural features of beauty and interest: to encourage the preservation as far as practicable of existing open spaces, whether publicly or privately owned, and in particular the principle of the Green Belt: to urge that future development and building in the district shall be enlightened and seemly: to oppose the disfigurement of buildings and other property and the use of unsightly notices and advertisements: to stimulate in our members interest in their environment, and vigilance in protecting it from encroachment and harm: to co-operate for these purposes with other bodies having objects similar to our own. 3. Any person, whether resident in Mill Hill or elsewhere, who is in sympathy with the objects of the CIO shall be eligible for membership subject to a satisfactory application to the CIO. Any member bringing the CIO into disrepute shall be expelled at the discretion of the trustees. 4. A member of the CIO may resign at any time by sending a written, signed notice of resignation to the CIO, or by not paying a subscription. There will be no refund of any part of the subscription at any time. A member whose subscription is more than 15 months in arrears shall cease to be a CIO member. Changes in the amount of the annual subscriptions shall be approved at a General Meeting by members. 5. There may be a Patron, a President, and one or more Vice-Presidents, who will be recommended by the trustees in consultation with the Management Committee. 6. The trustees will be members of the CIO and will manage the affairs of the CIO. The duty of the trustees is outlined in the Constitution. The trustees will appoint their own Convener for the purposes of co-ordinating trustee activities. The trustees may delegate powers to the Management Committee in accordance with the Trustee Act 2000. Subject to this legislation the trustees can delegate carrying out a decision that they have taken: the investment of assets: raising funds: insurances. 7. The affairs of the CIO may be directed by a Management Committee including a Chair, up to three Vice-Chairs and Honorary Officers (who may be Vice-Chairs). Members on the Management Committee will be agreed by trustees and elected by members at a General Meeting. Other members of the CIO may be co-opted onto the Management Committee or sub-groups for specific purposes. The trustees and the Management Committee may appoint secretaries either honorary or paid. 8. The CIO shall keep a banking account. Cheques drawn on the account will be signed by any two members from four appointed for this purpose by the trustees. The CIO accounts shall be made up to 31[st] December in each year and shall be reviewed before the Annual General Meeting by an Independent Examiner appointed by trustees. Internet banking will have appropriate safeguards against fraud. 9. The Annual General Meeting will be held for the purposes of receiving the Annual Report & Accounts and of electing trustees, Chair and members of the Management Committee. Details of calling the Annual General Meeting and any Extraordinary General Meeting are set out in the constitution. 10. The trustees may, from time to time, make such reasonable and proper rules as they deem necessary that are consistent with the constitution and make them freely Page 16 of 19 available. Changes to the Constitution shall be voted on by members at a General Meeting Page 17 of 19 # **Mill Hill Preservation Society is a** **Charitable Incorporated Organisation The Studio, Mote End Nan Clark’s Lane Mill Hill London NW7 4HH** Telephone: 0208 906 0769 Email: contact@mhps.org.uk Web: www.mhps.org.uk and do not forget our Facebook **Organisations** to which we paid a subscription in 2023 **Campaign for the Protection of Rural England London Forum London Greenbelt Council** Associated in local causes with the **Barnet Society, Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Copthall Community Sports Group, Copthall Consultation Group Forum, Darlands Conservation Trust, Finchley Society, Friends of Mill Hill Park, Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, London Wildlife Trust,** **Mill Hill High Street Residents Association, Mill Hill Residents Association, Open Spaces Society, Totteridge Residents Association** Published by Mill Hill Preservation Society (Registered Charity 1185939) Printed by Splash Printing Ltd, Mill Hill, 0208 906 4847 ## **General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (GDPR):** By giving us your information you agree it can be used by MHPS for administrative purposes and to contact you on CIO business. MHPS does not supply details to third parties and you may access the Page 18 of 19 information MHPS hold to have it amended if it is incorrect. Our Privacy Policy can be viewed on our website www.mhps.org.uk. Please keep your information up to date. Page 19 of 19