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2021-11-30-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date 1 Decemb

Period end date

Decemb 2020 er

30 November 2021

From

To

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

Midlands Parks Forum

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1186863 Charity's principal address 186 Alcester Road South

Kings Heath Birmingham Postcode B14 6DE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
1 Liz Stuffins Chairperson Existing Trustees
2 Sally Orton “
3 James Dymond Vice Chairperson “
4 Sam Village “
5 Ishrat Karimi Fini “
6 Angela Lewis “
7 Richard Hunt Treasurer
8 Gemma Gregory
Kristina Causer 28 [th] November 2021
9
to 19 [th] January 2022
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

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Type of adviser Name Address
Independent Graham Jones 7 Albion St, Dudley DY5 3EE
examination
Dudley CVS
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Alison Bate, Partnership Manager

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) The appointment of founding trustees was made following an Trustee selection methods open meeting of all Midlands Parks Forum subscribers. The (eg. appointed by, elected by) trustees were all nominated and seconded at the inaugural meeting. The appointment of additional trustees was made following open advertisements via our newsletters and via Reach Volunteering

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

Three new Trustees were appointed as part of succession You may choose to include planning, following an open recruitment process in June 2021. additional information, where The three trustees undertook online training with a specialist relevant, about: provider in September and October 2021. However, one trustee resigned her role on 19[th] January 2022.

Three existing trustees have extended their terms of office by a further three years.

The organisation continues to develop partnerships with green space organisations and value the support of non-voting volunteers from the green space sector.

The trustees have continued to undertake an annual Risk

Management Assessment, to ensure that risks are minimised and mitigated or closed where possible.

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Section C Objectives and activities

  1. To provide and enhance, and / or assist in the provision and enhancement of, the physical and natural environment for the use and enjoyment of the public in the area of benefit (including, but without limitation, the provision and maintenance of facilities and equipment, and the promotion of biodiversity) and shall include but is not limited to public parks, gardens, landscaped areas, woodland, playing fields, playgrounds, nature reserves and recreational spaces;

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

  1. To advance the education of the public in the area of benefit including (but without limitation) with regards to the horticulture, arboriculture, ecology, geology, archaeology, sustainability, heritage and local history; and

  2. To provide or assist in the provision of facilities, for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare, with the object of improving the conditions of life of the public by the improvement of parks and green open spaces in the area of benefit. In furtherance of these, the charity will provide an umbrella group for other interested organisations. In these objects, the area of benefit means the local authority areas within the East and West Midlands.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

A range of learning and training activities have taken place to enhance the environment for the public. A total of 13 events throughout the year to enhance the quality and accessibility of parks and green spaces have focused on:

Learning Visits and Conferences included: Snibston Colliery Park -Midlands Green Heritage Six speakers and four workshops looked in detail at how resources are required and applied to protect parks heritage and continue funding high quality, high value parks and green space.

Learning visits to Solihull and Worcester City focused on improving connectivity and biodiversity within landscapes, and developing large scale wildflower schemes, and improving watercourses for biodiversity.

Subsidised, accredited Introduction to Parks Management training, and Advanced Parks Management Training for 23 members was provided by APSE on behalf of the organisation.

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The information gained from the aforementioned interactive learning sessions has enabled participants to transfer the knowledge, skills and learning from the topics covered into their parks and green spaces. It has enabled members to understand and react promptly to implement management techniques related to the management of parks during Covid, and the risks and benefits of enabling children’s play areas to re-open swiftly post lockdown.

Sharing vital information during Covid-19 and having debate and discussion on the opening of green spaces was essential for parks management. Through regular liaison with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and leading parks authorities, the Forum provided guidance and information on all Covid-19 related topics such as events management, managing parks and play areas, cleansing, opening cafes and the cleansing of parks buildings and other facilities.

A range of learning topics have been provided to enable members to better manage the land in their locality for nature, including carbon reduction, and opportunities to increase biodiversity, such as creating naturalistic planting, green corridors for nature, and sharing information on how members have created natural flood management, slowing the flow for people and wildlife. Natural England provided guidance on how organisations will be required to manage projects for biodiversity net gain (policy, metric & standards), with examples that can be replicated by members in the future.

Other webinars have included allotments management, the importance and benefits of protecting green spaces through Fields in Trust, and exploring a barometer of Green Space Access, to ensure that local authorities are aware of whether they provide sufficient green space access for residents.

Webinars during Covid welcomed organisations such as the National Federation of Parks to share best practice in supporting volunteers in green spaces, which is vital to the ongoing management of spaces.

During Covid-19, the charity also contributed to a key document ‘Managing Parks during Covid-19’, which was accessed by hundreds of organisations. Working closely with the Association of Play Industries enabled the charity to share vital information across the Midlands regarding the re-opening of play areas for the public.

The charity has prepared Case Studies demonstrating best practice in Midlands green space, including studies of heritage features, events management, geology, and developing a country park. All the case studies are freely available to download from the web site.

The charity continues to manage a web site – which received 20,468 visits, an increase of 44% from the previous year’s visits of 14,243.

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The organisation issued 12 newsletters and many bulletins to our members which includes funding information and green space vacancies. Twitter and Linkedin accounts are used to share information, and help raise skills, knowledge and network in green spaces.

Successful funding applications were made to William A Cadbury, D S Smith, National Lottery Community Fund, Marsh Christian Trust, and The Southall Trust for funding to sustain the charity’s work. The final 10% of a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant was also received.

Sponsorship was also received which contributed towards a successful conference.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

The contribution made by volunteers during the year has been a vital part of our second year as a charity, even though face to face activities did not take place due to the pandemic.

Publications

  1. Report of Parks People Counters was undertaken to share learning.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

In-kind contribution from Community First Partnership provided project and pro-bono consultancy worth an estimated £17,826

Volunteering from Trustees and non-trustees increased from 500 hours in 19/20 to 746 hours in 20/21 which generated almost £37,300 of in-kind support.

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance

The organisation continues to sustain a blended income from Summary of the main the following: achievements of the charity during the year Earned income: membership and conference income Sponsorship External funding: funding bodies, such as national lottery, grants and foundations

We provide a service to all members, including Monthly Newsletters and bulletins Covid-19 Parks Management Guidance; Webinars with a range of partners including Green Flag, National Allotment Association, Association of Play Industries, Natural England, The Tree Council, and a wide range of other organisations to share best practice. (Average webinar attendance was 24).

Subsidised training from national body APSE (Association of Public Service Excellence) to members based on 2 levels, Introduction to Parks Management and Advanced Parks Management.

A Conference in partnership with Leicestershire County Council included contributions and collaborations with Snibston Heritage Trust, Historic England, Keep Britain Tidy, National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Landscape Institute.

All presentations were recorded and are free to access on our web site.

The charity worked with Community First Partnership to complete research on accessibility of quality green space in the Midlands region, which highlighted ‘cold’ areas, where there is limited amount of high-quality green, high value space. We also published six case studies which help improve knowledge, skills and competencies around green space, and included:

Events in Covid Restoration of Heritage Community Green Space Parks Projects Parks for People restoration A new Heritage Country Park Wildflower Meadow Creation

Section E Financial review

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Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

The charity’s reserves policy requires unrestricted funding to cover six months of costs, which the charity holds.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

The principal sources of funding have been

Earned Income

All expenditure during 2020/21 has been targeted towards improving the skills and knowledge gaps identified by members, to enable them to better manage and develop their green spaces for public benefit, and towards the green space sector as a whole – with funding and heritage a key focus.

The key priorities of learning identified are heritage, biodiversity/climate change, community and volunteering and identifying sources of income/commercial opportunities. In addition, sharing information on inequality of provision, and campaigning for increased resources for parks.

Gaining skills and knowledge in these areas enable green space practitioners to replicate learning from peers enabling them to improve parks and green space facilities within their local area.

Having a supportive network of learning from green space sector practitioners enables costs to be kept at a minimum.

The charity has selected an ethical banking organisation, which supports community activities.

The charity now directly employs a part time member of staff, who has been TUPE’d over to MPF. The employee is based at home, to reduce future overheads.

Section F Other optional information

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Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) LIZ Stuffins Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 12.04.22

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MIDLANDS PARKS FORUM REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1186863 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH] NOVEMBER 2021

£ £ £ £
TOTAL
INCOME R U TOTAL 2020
Transfers from previous entity:
-
NLRH Funds in hand		 - - - 10,137
-
Match Funding		 - - - 5,025
-
Memberships		 - - - 2,599
NLRH Grant 9,760 - 9,760 39,040
National Lottery – Community Green Spaces 10,000 - 10,000 -
William A Cadbury Grant - 10,000 10,000 -
Other Grants - 4,500 4,500 -
Memberships - 18,384 18,384 14,725
Training/Conference Income - 13,926 13,926 -
______ _____ ______ ______
TOTAL INCOME 19,760 46,810 66,570 71,526
______ _____ ______ ______
EXPENDITURE
Salary Costs 18,080 4,930 23,010 23,058
Travelling Expenses - 74 74 424
Insurance 272 260 532 -
Training, Mentoring, Conference Fees 6,650 2,668 9,318 3,775
Printing, Stationery, Advertising 124 237 361 1,523
Telephone and Postage 20 10 30 7
Repairs and Renewals 89 132 221 -
Evaluation/Research Fees 8,584 - 8,584 1,326
Professional Fees 770 - 770 660
Sundries 350 - 350 76
______ ______ ______ ______
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 34,939 8,311 43,250 30,849
______ ______ ______ ______
Net -Deficit/Surplus for the Year/Period -15,179 38,499 23,320 40,677
Balance at 30thNovember 2020 23,429 17,248 40,677 -
______ ______ ______ ______
Reserves at 30th November 2021 8,250 55,747 63,997 40,677
______ ______ ______ ______

MIDLANDS PARKS FORUM REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1186863 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 30[TH] NOVEMBER 2021

2020
£ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Bank Current Account 63,997 40,677
_____ _____
Represented by :
Income & Expenditure Account:
Restricted Funds 8,250 23,429
Unrestricted Funds 55,747 17,248
_____ _____
63,997 40,677
_____ _____

NB: Restricted Funds above are all in respect of the National Lottery Community Green Spaces Grant.

Approved by the Management Committee and signed on their behalf:

……………………………………….

Name …………Elizabeth Stuffins…………………………….

Date …5.5.22…………………………………….

IDLANDS PARKS FORUIA RED CHARIT . 1186863 In Examln¥ R November 2021. As the charty's trustees you are resp)nsibk8 for the weparalion of the accounts. you consider that the audrt requirement of sectth 14412) of ￿ Charit18s Act 2011 does not apply. tt is my respjnsibilty to statg, on the basis of woc¢dwes specrfth in th? General Directions given by the Charity C(mmission undw se¢tKn 1495)Ib) of tF 2011 Act, Whet￿tsr parti¢ul matters hava oyne lo my attantw. Basls ol Indap•nd•nt •xamln•ea raport My examination was carried OLrt in accordm with tho Gwwal Dr8Ctions gwon by the Charty Ccmnmission. examirHtion ind￿8 8 r8vw of the accounliro r8caJrds kept by the charty and a (￿m￿lsOn of the ￿￿JnIg presented with Ihose rawds. 11 also indudes cons￿￿orati￿ of any unusual rtwn$ or disdosur8s in th8 act￿nts arKI seeking explanations from Y￿ as trustees ￿Y￿Ing any such matters. The procedures undert8ken not wovide all th8 evid&nce that woukJ requir8d in an audrt and ￿nSeqUantlY m opin￿1 is given 85 to whether th8 aco)unls present a 'tn and fair view, and rerort bs limited to those matters out in the stalomenl b•k)w. Indopendont examln•rf8 8tat•m•nt In connecticn with my examinats'on. matter ha8 LxThe lo my aitent)n'. 1. lthith gives m8 rnasonable cwJ88 to b&lioN that in material re8pgcI tho requirements lo keep 9¢y￿untIng rec￿d8 in 8c¢xYdwTh wilh 80c1v￿ 130 of th8 2011 Act and lo prepare 8ccounts vthth accord wth tho atsyAJntKw rgcyjrds and to C4)mpty wrth the acc04mtiro r8quirements of the 2011 Ad hav• rM)t been me( or 2. To which. in my 4)inion, attentNJn shwld te dr84m in ord¥ to ￿able a pr(yr understandirvJ of tha acc(xyrts to be rea0*. . JONES ACCOUNTANT DUDLEY CVS 7 ALBION STREET BRIERLEY HILL DY5 3EE 24Th MARCH 21Y22

MIDLANDS PARKS FORUM

REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1186863

ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDED 30[TH] NOVEMBER 2021

MIDLANDS PARKS FORUM RE TERED CHARITY NO. 1186863 Inde ndent Examln*s Re I report on th8 attathed accounts OF Midlands Parks Forum for the year ended 30th November 2021. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts., you consider that the audit requirement of section 144{2) of the Charities Act 2011 d06S not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of prO￿dureS specified in the General Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145(5){b) of the 2011 Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examIne￿S report My éxamination was carried out in accordan￿ 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 consKleralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The prO￿dureS 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 b810w. Independent examlnef s statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 1. Vvhich gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep acc£)unting records in accordancé with section 130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare actt)unts which accord with the accounting records and to ￿mplY wrth the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not be8n met" or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . JONES ACCOUNTANT DUDLEY CVS 7 ALBION STREET BRIERLEY HILL DY5 3EE 24TH MARCH 2022