2021-04-05-accounts

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 5 April 2021

Contents

Page	2	Reference and Administrative Details
Page	3	Trustee Report
Page	6	Financial Review
Page	7	Independent Examiner’s Report
Page	8	Statement of Financial Activities
Page	9	Notes to the Financial Activities

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees:

Ms Nancy Coleman-Frank, Chair Ms Birgitta Pernille Ahlström, Secretary Mr Derek Charles Kinrade, Treasurer Mr David Yelding Dr Lloyd Anderson Ms Rebecca Wilmshurst Mr Alastair Roots

Expert Advisory Panel:

Ms Elizabeth P McLean Mr Joel T Fry Ms Cherrill Sands Ms Liz Brough

Address:

33 Highshore Road London SE15 5AF

Charity Registration Number: 1186914

Bank:

Lloyds Bank 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN

Independent Examiner:

Andrew Cooper Deputy Director, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and People Experience, People Group UK Health Security Agency

Page of 2 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Trustee Report

The Trustees of the Charity present their report with financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2021.

Structure, Governance and Management

The American Garden in Peckham is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission and governed by its constitution. The Charity was established on 19 December 2019. The affairs of the Charity are managed by the Trustees who exercise all the powers of the CIO.

The Charity works in partnership with Southwark Council, through a Memorandum of Understanding, to achieve its charitable objectives because Peckham Rye Park, in which the American Garden is located, is owned and managed by the Council.

Partnership

A Memorandum of Understanding anchors the relationship with Southwark Council, which began in 2017 when the group, not yet a charity, secured funding of £20,000 from the Council in the form of a Cleaner, Greener, Safer (CGS) grant. Following Southwark’s policies, these funds were kept in a separate account by the Council. When the CGS funds are exhausted, the Charity will transfer funds to the Southwark account for agreed expenses, consistent with the Charity’s objectives. The Charity is responsible for raising funds for the Project. The Council carries out some work, such as mowing the lawn around the planting beds, on behalf of the Charity.

Appointment and Training of Trustees

In accordance with the terms of the constitution, there must be at least three Trustees. Apart from the founding Charity Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years. Trustees will consider suitable candidates from recommendations and personal knowledge based on the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Incoming Trustees are advised of the responsibilities and legal obligations of being a Trustee and are given a current copy of the constitution and a copy of the Charity’s Annual Report and Financial Statement.

The Trustees of the CIO have no personal responsibility for settling debts and liabilities in the event of winding up.

Meetings by Electronic Means

Response to the Covid-19 crisis has included rapid adoption of Information Technology (IT) capabilities. In accordance with its constitution (15.4. - Participation in meetings by electronic means), all Trustee meetings this year were held through Zoom, and complied with the rules for all meetings, including protocols for chairing and the taking of minutes.

Objectives

The Charity was established to create a new garden by re-designing, enhancing, protecting, promoting and maintaining for the public benefit the American Garden in Peckham Rye Park.

Its objectives are:

1. To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the American Garden in Peckham Rye Park for the benefit of the local community and visitors.

2. To promote for the benefit of the public the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of those using the garden.

Page of 3 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

1. To advance education for the public benefit particularly by providing opportunities for learning about horticulture in and around the American Garden.

Equally, the Charity wishes to honour the international stature of Peter Collinson, the 18th century botanist, and to commemorate the exchange of seeds and plants he had with John Bartram of Philadelphia for more than forty years. This will be accomplished by populating the Garden with specific plants found in his Peckham garden.

Activities

This report covers the first year of the Project. Activities were therefore focused on the planning involved in establishing a new garden. These included:

• participating in ongoing conversations with Landscape Designer Jonathan Cook (Jonathan Cook Landscape Design-JCLA) and Rebecka Gullstrand, the JCLA member assigned to the Project

• creating plant lists using the specialised plants Peter Collinson would have had in his 18th century Peckham garden

• developing comprehensive planting plans to incorporate these plants

Real and visible progress began in October 2020 with the creation and preparation of the new beds for the Garden, following the detailed planting plans created by JCLA. This was followed by the long process of adding ‘Flowers of Sulphur’ (sulphur powder) to adjust the pH level of the soil. The amendment of the soil is needed so ericaceous plants, such as rhododendrons and azaleas, will thrive.

The progress of the Garden was monitored by Trustees who were onsite during all significant work.

In November an Instagram page was created @americangardenpeckham.

Throughout the year, the Charity continued to fundraise, preparing and submitting applications to various organisations.

Impact of Coronavirus

The biggest challenge to the Charity’s re-imagining the American Garden was the lack of availability of plants and labour during lockdowns. Due to Covid restrictions and new Brexit regulations, this meant delays in planting and also forced acceptance of plant sizes less than those desired. A second challenge was only being able to plant when conditions were optimal for plants to thrive, following established guidelines for ideal planting times.

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees confirm they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Achievements and Performance

The Charity received its first successful grant, in the amount of £3,000, in March 2020, from The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust.

Following this, the Charity received a grant from the U.S. Embassy, London, to provide the funds for ten new American trees. This was a joint project to celebrate Earth Day 2020, its 75th Anniversary, and to honour the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. This grant was in the amount of $7,500 (£5,536).

Page of 4 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

In early December, a grant was awarded by the Postcode Local Trust to purchase and plant almost 200 shrubs of 26 different species. These monies will help secure the Charity’s goal of providing a place of respite, where cultural and historical learning can take place. The amount of this grant was £19,953.

On 14 December, the American Garden Project was officially begun with the planting of ten new American trees secured through the grant from the U.S. Embassy, London. The American Ambassador, Woody Johnson, and The Right Honourable Harriet Harman QC MP (Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham) were present as well a number of local councillors and other supporters of the Project, small in numbers because of local and Embassy Covid restrictions, but most supportive. The Garden was ‘christened’ with the planting of an Acer saccharum (‘Green Mountain’ Sugar Maple) by Ambassador Johnson and Ms Harman. Trustees felt lucky to be able to stage this event the day before lockdown was again put in place.

The benefit to visitors and the local community, even though the American Garden Project is not finished, has been very encouraging. When working in the Garden, Trustees report people stop, ask questions, share how they have been watching its progress and indicate how pleased they are to see the Garden being re-created. Staff at the Park, very supportive of the Project, tell Trustees they receive many positive comments about the Garden. The Friends of Peckham Rye Park, also enthusiastic, regularly include recent news of the American Garden on their website. One visitor to the Park, local freelance photographer Phil Polglaze, on his own initiative, captured the progress of the Garden and its visitors in black and white photos.

Plans for the Future

Detailed planting plans are in place for the completion of the Garden which is scheduled for Spring 2022, provided there are no further delays caused by Covid.

The Charity plans to take part in the Friends of Peckham Rye Park’s Annual Fête, held in September. This will allow Trustees to share information about the Garden and recruit potential supporters.

Additionally, the Charity intends to collect letters of support from dignitaries, members of the local community and other visitors to the Garden as part of its fundraising strategy.

A brochure about the Garden, its history and its goals is planned. This will be circulated to members of the local community and beyond.

Future plans include more formal research, through surveys of the Garden’s visitors and others, to collect ideas about the Garden and its future development.

The above Trustee’s Report is approved by order of the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf.

Nancy Coleman-Frank Chairperson

16 January 2022

Page of 5 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Financial Review

Income for the first full year as a charity totalled £49,739, made up of £28,489 in grant awards, £17,000.00 in donations and £4,250.00 in gift aid.

Expenditures amounted to £16,015.

Funds available at the end of the financial year were £33,724.

The Charity’s Project has been broken into three stages:

1. Preparing the Garden

2. Planting the Garden

3. Education and Outreach

The Trustees are of the opinion the Charity is in a secure financial position and has enough funds to meet its obligations for Stages 1 and 2 of its Project. Fundraising will continue in order to meet the financial needs of Stage 3.

Fund Accounting

The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis which summarises the movement of cash in and out of the organisation. This format is available to non company charities with a gross annual income of £250,000 or less.

Funds Structure

The Charity maintains both restricted and unrestricted funds. Unrestricted funds may be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds provided to the Charity may only be used for particular restricted purposes, as specified by the donor, within the objectives of the Charity.

Risk Management

The Trustees confirm they have considered major risks which may arise and, in their opinion, no significant risks are seen at the date of this report.

Reserves Policy

Although there is no formal policy in place, the Charity reviews the level of funds available on a regular basis.

Page of 6 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The American Garden in Peckham, Charity No 1186914:

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2021 which are set out on pages 8 and 9.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the Trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that, in any material respect :

• accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

• the financial statements do not accord with those records

• the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as post of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Andrew P Cooper

Chartered Fellow Institute of Personal Development

28 Watford Close Battersea London SW11 4QT

21 January 2022

Page of 7 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021

Receipts and Payments

eceipts and Payments
	Notes	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	Total funds £
Receipts
Donations	1	17,000		17,000
Grants	2		25,489	25,489
Grants	3	3,000		3,000
Gift Aid		4,250		4,250
Sub total		24,250	25,489	49,739
Total receipts		24,250	25,489	49,739
Payments
Zoom US		153		153
Southwark Council	4		15,000	15,000
Millais Nurseries			862	862
Sub total		153	15,862	16,015
Total payments		153	15,862	16,015
Net of receipts/(payments)		24,097	9,627	33,724
Statement of assets and liabilities at year end
		Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £
Cash funds this year end		24,097	9,627
Total cash funds				33,724

Page of 8 9

The American Garden in Peckham Charity No 1186914

Notes to the Financial Activities

otes to the Financial Activities
1. Donations:
Private donation	16,000
Anonymous donation	1,000
Total donations		17,000
2. Grants
U.S. Embassy London	5,536		Restricted-to be used to purchase and plant 10 American trees
Postcode Local Trust	19,953		Restricted-to be used to purchase and plant various shrubs
Total Restricted Grants		25,489
3. Grants
Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust	3,000
Total Unrestricted Grants		3,000
4. Payments
Southwark Council		15,000	Funds transferred to Southwark Council to cover expenses, as directed by Trustees. £5,500 was spent before 05/04/21 for trees. The remainder will be spent after 06/04/2021 on plants, compost and labour.

The above Financial Statement is approved by order of the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf.

Nancy Coleman-Frank Chairperson

16 January 2022

Page of 9 9